HAMDEN, Conn. – Skidmore College assistant golf coach Scott Berliner has qualified for the U.S. Senior Open to be played July 2-5 at the Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio.
 
Berliner, who missed qualifying a year ago by just a stroke, shot a 4-under 66 in last week's qualifying event at the New Haven Country Club to share medalist honors and make the cut for the championship.
 
The Lake Luzerne native, Hiland Golf Club assistant pro, and Glens Falls Country Club instructor had a sparkling back nine, where he chipped in for eagle on No. 10 and drained a long par putt on No. 13, and then birdied No. 14, to finish the nine in 3-under par.
 
Berliner and four others from the qualifier clinched their spots in Columbus.
 
"It's my first ever major, which is really cool," Berliner said. "It took me however many years to do it. I feel like I'm a good enough player that I should have played in a few PGA Championships up until this point, but everything happens for a reason. Hopefully, this will be the start of qualifying for some majors."
 
Scioto Country Club is hosting its third Senior Open and fifth USGA championship. Bob Jones (1926 U.S. Open), Bruce Fleisher (1968 U.S. Amateur), Dale Douglass (1986 U.S. Senior Open) and Gene Sauers (2016 U.S. Senior Open) have won at the historic venue.
 
The U.S. Senior Open is open to professional golfers, and amateurs with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 2.4, who are at least 50 years of age by the start of championship play. Berliner is amongst a select few from the nearly three thousand entries to advance to the main event.  
 
Berliner has been Skidmore's assistant golf coach since 2015.