Hess’ U.S. Open bid derailed

PARKERSBURG -- A few hiccups and a wayward driver were the main culprits during a long Tuesday for former Parkersburg South golfer Kenny Hess as his bid to reach the 122nd United States Open Championships came to a close following sectional qualifying at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland.

Hess, who competed on the North Course along with everyone else, was vying for one of four spots in the original field of 72 golfers.

Las Vegas' Joseph Bramlett and his current ranking of No. 178 on the PGA Tour money list finished as the medalist at 8-under par. Grayson Murray (No. 207) was runner-up at minus-6. Kevin Chappell (No. 180) and Andrew Beckler, the 2021 Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year for Division II from Washburn, tied for third at 3-under.

"It's probably the best field I've been in for the official world golf rankings. It's one of the best courses I've ever been on," admitted Hess, who finished his first 18 holes on Tuesday at 1-over par 73, but closed with a 79 on his second round to finish at 8-over par. "The greens were firm and fast, just a phenomenal golf course.

"My whole problem was I hit it really crooked off the tees. That was the whole issue. Everything else inside 150 yards was really solid. I couldn't hit it in the fairway. Hitting it crooked makes it hard to put the ball in the hole, especially when you are playing greens that are rolling at 13."

During his first round, Hess went par, birdie, bogey, birdie on his first four holes to sit at 1-under and then carded 12 pars and two bogeys the rest of the way for his 73. On the next 18, Hess started on the par-5 10th, but carded a seven.

"The double on my 19th hole, the second time around, I basically hit the best tee ball of the day," Hess stated.

"It was downwind. I probably hit it about 350 and I had about 260 in.

"I missed by 5 yards. I tried to get cute with it, bladed it over the back of the green and the green runs away from you, and it went off the green."

Conservatively, Hess said his driver cost him "15 shots. I was hitting it pretty good other than the driver. The experience was great. I've really matured a lot from the past.

"In those events I'd show up and be nervous and worry about what other people thought of me. If I'd hit the driver straight at all I could've easily qualified with where I felt my game was and everything."

Hess, whose current long term goal is to make it through Q-school, drove back to Florida on Tuesday and is preparing for the upcoming 89th W.Va. Open on June 22-24 at Stonewall Resort.

Williamstown graduate Eli Inman, who was on Hess' bag in Maryland, might not be available for the same duties at the W.Va. Open.

"I had Eli as my caddy and I thought we were really good together. It took forever to play," admitted Hess, who started his first round at 8:45 a.m. and "I holed out my final putt at 7:15 p.m. We played our first 18 holes in over five hours.

"After my 20th hole of golf, the guy I'm playing with leaves. Eli is playing at Wheeling (on Friday in a W.Va. Open qualifier). It's 15 guys for five spots. If he gets in, I'll put my dad on the bag."

With more than a week of prep work to come in Florida, the ex-Patriot and 87th W.Va. Open champion still feels pretty good about his overall game.

"I've got to figure out how to hit a driver straight. If I don't I'm going to shoot a million (at Stonewall)," quipped Hess. "I know how to stay focused for 36 holes. I had to eat and drink a lot. It's the only way to survive that with any energy. This morning, I looked at it. I walked almost 15 and a half miles up and down hills.

"It was a neat environment. You play a hard course like that and then play an easier course, you feel a lot more free. There's a lot more though that goes into playing harder golf courses. It was a great learning experience and pushes you to want to get to the next level."

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com