SOUTH HADLEY —  Chris Tallman played the Orchards Golf Club with a home course advantage.

The South Hadley native was a junior member at the course and spent four years as its general manager from 2019 to earlier this year. His familiarity with every green, bunker and turn pushed Tallman to the head of the pack in Tuesday’s U.S. Open Local qualifier.

“I grew up playing here. I know the greens really well and I just feel comfortable out on this golf course,” he said.

Tallman shot a 1-under 69 to win the medalist honors and advance to the next round of U.S. Open qualification. He was the first alternate in 2021 but have never qualified for the sectional round before.

Former members cheered him from the clubhouse. He shook every hand or hugged everyone around the 18th green after signing his card. Belchertown junior Henry Poissant, a member of the Orioles Western Massachusetts championship squad, was on Tallman’s bag and posed for pictures with him after he received the medal.

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“It means a lot to me to play here and to move on,” Tallman said. “The Orchards will always have a place in my heart.”

Tallman needed two shots to clear a bunker on 18 and set himself up a bogey putt that held off the rest of the field. Hopkinton’s James Hervol, a UConn product playing on the Canadian PGA Tour, took second at even par.

The other automatic qualifying spots were decided in a playoff. Five players finished at 1-over after UConn commit Bradley Sawka birdied 18 with a 35-yard putt that wound its way down a hill. Shawn Scott (Tewksbury), Kyle Souza (Santa Rosa, California) and Jason Thresher (West Suffield, Connecticut) claimed the other qualifying spots, while Sawka and Scott Bernier are the two alternates.

Tallman dropped in four birdies, including on three consecutive holes from No. 8 to No. 10.

“The greens were rolling spectacular.  I had the putter rolling, and that's what’s really helped me with my round,” he said. “I hit a few squirrely shots, and I was able to get up and down several holes.”

Tallman began working as GreatHorse’s Director of Instruction in February. The gig allows him more time to play and teach the game, which has helped him play better. He also recently returned form a trip to New Mexico where he played will and built confidence.

“I also have a little more free time to hit some balls and work on my game, especially short game, which is certainly served me well out here,” Tallman said.

He was the top local finisher but far from the only. Hadley native Nick Stern tied for 37th (79), while South Hadley’s Michael Kroll (82) tied for 55th and Michael Lentner of Northampton tied for 60th (84).

Amherst College golfers John Beskid (76) and Teddy Freking (81) were paired in a group together. Their teammate Paari Kaviyarasu shot a 77.

Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.]]>