South Deerfield’s Jacob Zaranek qualifies for the U.S. Amateur Championship at Pinehurst

Jacob Zaranek made it look as easy as 1-2-3-4-5.

The South Deerfield resident made five straight birdies to spark an outstanding day at Longmeadow Country Club Monday, a stretch that helped him qualify for the U.S. Amateur Championship.

“I think I had done that in a tournament one other time, but this timing was pretty good,’’ Zaranek said of five consecutive birdies. “But to have that help get me there …’’

“There” is Pinehurst (N.C.) Country Club and Resort, where Zaranek will make his debut at the national championship Aug. 12-18.

The five birdies and two others helped Zaranek close with a 5-under-par 65 to earn the second of two qualifying bids. His 6-under 134 was second only to Steve DiLisio of Swampscott, who fired a 133.

“I am super excited about Pinehurst,’’ Zaranek said. “That’s definitely one place that would be really special, very high on my list of places I’d want to play.’’

Zaranek, who plays out of CC of Greenfield and Brattleboro (Vt.) CC, said he had not come close to advancing in two other attempts. Monday, he said, was different.

“The 69, I thought, was honestly very good,’’ Zaranek said. “Obviously it’s harder the first round, before you can get comfortable out there. I birdied 18 to get to 1 under, so that really helped with my confidence.’’

Zaranek went off the back in the afternoon, opening with birdies at 10 and 12.

“I just missed a 10-footer for eagle at 10, and I hit some great putts that just didn’t go in,’’ Zaranek said.

He made the turn on the heels on bogeys at the 17th and 18th, but took care of business soon after. He birdied Nos. 1-3 on putts inside of seven feet, before draining an 18-footer at the par-3 fourth and a 30-footer at No. 5.

“There were still holes to play, but I felt really good after that,’’ Zaranek said. “I didn’t really have a number in my head about what I needed to shoot in the afternoon or what it would take (to qualify). I know at these, there are always guys who shoot real low scores.’’

On Monday, it was Zaranek.

“When I am playing well, it’s when my putts are starting to fall,’’ Zaranek said. “I’m usually a good ball striker. But when the putts in the 10-foot range start falling, the ones that don’t always go in all the time, that’s the difference.’’

Zaranek has a busy stretch of upcoming tournaments, with the Vermont Amateur, Massachusetts Amateur, New England Amateur and Massachusetts Public Links Championship on the horizon.

This follows a spring in which he competed at the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship with Kyle Puzzo of Ludlow at Bandon Dunes (Ore.).

“That was great, because I learned an unbelievable amount about how the courses are set up (for USGA Championships),’’ Zaranek said. “It was such an enjoyable experience. The USGA runs amazing events.’’

Zaranek heads back to Division I Fairfield University for his junior year, looking to improve on a self-proclaimed subpar year as a sophomore.

“I’m excited to have a better year and I’ll be coming off the U.S. Amateur, with the best amateurs in the country … and the world,’’ Zaranek said.

Other top local finishers Monday were: Cody Booska (74-144) of CC of Greenfield; Noah Peterson (72-144) of East Longmeadow; Connor Phillips (68-144) of Longmeadow; Kevin Quinto (74-145) of Pittsfield and Pat Pio III (74-145) of Somers.

ACE-WITNESS NEWS: The next time you’re in need of a golf partner, look up Connor Piecuch of East Longmeadow. The rising sophomore at Mercyhurst University has been a witness to three aces in 10 days.

And he’s not just hot this summer. Piecuch, 19, has witnessed nine in his lifetime.

He played with Cody Booska, when the CC of Greenfield member aced the fourth hole during a U.S. Amateur qualifier at Longmeadow CC Monday. That came a day after he was with East Longmeadow’s Jack Phelan, who made a “1” at the second hole at Springfield CC.

And you have to go all the way back to June 29, when East Longmeadow’s Eddie Morin made a hole-in-one at the 14th hole at CC of Wilbraham.

Piecuch, who teamed with Jake Willis to win the Firecracker Open at CC of Greenfield on July 4, made the only ace of his career this March, at Mangrave Bay CC in St. Petersburg, Fla.

GARVIN WINS: Angela Garvin on Feeding Hills won the Girls Open division at the U.S. Challenge Cup’s World Series of Golf July 3-4.

Garvin won at the first extra hole at Triggs Memorial in East Providence, R.I., after opening the 36-hole tournament with a 72. Garvin was two strokes back entering the last hole, where she made par to force a playoff.

NEWGA: Anna Casagrande of Northampton CC led the Western Massachusetts contingent after two rounds of the New England Women’s Golf Association at GreatHorse in Hampden.

Casagrande was tied for 19th place at 169, entering Wednesday’s final round. Other locals were Twin Hills CC’s Emma Beaulieu (t38, 179), Alia Godek (t42, 181) of Agawam Municipal GC, Gale Gates (t57, 187)of Orchards GC and Tina Miller (73rd, 218) of CC of Wilbraham

LOCAL TOURNEYS: Kells Memorial Junior Two-Ball takes place July 17 at CC of Greenfield. The event has a boys and girls division. Call the pro shop (413) 773-7530 for details … The Western Mass. Junior Open is set for Aug. 7 at Tekoa CC in Westfield. Boys and girls up to age 18 can play. There are three-hole, nine-hole and 18-hole divisions. Applications are available at www.davediricogolf.com … Southampton CC will host its annual Two-Ball on July 13 and/or 14. Play either or both days (different partners). Call the club at (413) 527-9815 for tee times or information … Registration is open for the 23rd annual Sisters of St. Joseph Golf Classic on Aug. 26 at Springfield Country Club. For details, call (413) 536-0853 or email golfclassic@ssjspringfield.com … Holes-in-one made by Western Massachusetts golfers should be reported by email to russheldsports@gmail.com.

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