By Dalton Balthaser
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - Just four months ago, Tyler Cooke and Bobby Leopold left the fifth U.S. Amateur Four-Ball at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort as quarterfinalists.
They finished just a match away from being exempt into the 2020 edition and would have to go through qualifying again.
Cooke and Leopold, catapulted by birdies on the final two holes claimed medalist honors in a #USFourBall qualifier administered by the Rhode Island Golf Association Tuesday at Newport National Golf Club (par 72, 7,244 yards).
Their best-ball score of 64 was two strokes better than the next best duo.
Andrew Diramio of Boston, Mass and Ryan Whitney of Milton, Mass. as well as the tandem of Michael Abrams of Longmont, Colo. and Kyle McCarthy of Saint Petersburg, Colo. punched their tickets to the big dance after surviving a 4-for-2 playoff that lasted three holes and finished in the dark.
Both teams carded rounds of 66.
The U.S. Four-Ball will take place May 23-27, 2020 at Philadelphia Cricket Club in Philadelphia, Pa.
“This qualifying day is my Super Bowl,” said Cooke. “I truly believe we can win the real thing. We have won the last two qualifiers we were in. We were damn close to winning the whole thing with a couple of breaks. It would hurt if we didn’t qualify. This day means a lot to me.
“We would have loved to be exempt after making the quarterfinals last year. But we weren’t. It just feels so good to get the job done when you know you have to.”
A precise 8-iron from 165 yards to four feet on No. 17 (par 4, 489 yards) for Leopold and a clutch 10-footer for birdie on No. 18 by Cooke (par 4, 415 yards) was the finish they needed.
Channelling past experiences to serve them in the present.
“There’s nothing worse than feeling like you deserve a spot but don’t get one,” said Leopold, 34, of Coventry, R.I. “Then you have to climb all the way back up the ladder again. It happened to me a couple of times in the U.S. Amateur. So I was prepared for it even though it is tough. Guys were asking us today why we were here qualifying. That’s when you feel the pressure of knowing you should advance.”
Newport National wasn’t the qualifying venue Cooke wanted but Leopold, recalling their 2016 RIGA Four-Ball win, suggested the bomber’s paradise.
“We thought 6 under would be the number,” said Cooke, 27, of Warwick, R.I. “Since there are four par 5’s and a reachable par 4. After Bobby made a great birdie on No. 17, I thought we would be in good shape but it turned out we needed my birdie on No. 18 as well.”
Cooke is set to head out to Colorado later this week for the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Colorado Golf Club. While Leopold will be at home after missing out on qualifying, one thing will be on his mind.
“Tyler won’t take any prisoners and I’ll be all business come May 2020,” said Leopold. “That’s why we play. We want to win and we will be ready to go. Qualifying was the hard part.”
But the drive to Philadelphia Cricket Club will be much more than just a buddies trip to the brothers-in-law.
It’ll encompass what the Leopolds and Cookes are all about. Family.
“When I was younger and I qualified for these national events, it felt good to be there but it didn’t feel like a big experience,” said Leopold. “My mom is texting me asking to go to Philadelphia. She’s never been and has always wanted to go. My kids can go because it is an easy drive. It is a good family trip for us. Playing in these events is all the more special when you get to share it with your family.”
“It’s special,” said Cooke. “I love this guy.”