How did Jake Albert feel as he finally reached the green and addressed his ball on the opening playoff hole at a U.S. Open local qualifier on May 9?
The Blacksburg native felt the nerves.
鈥淚 was definitely shaking over my first putt on the playoff hole,鈥 he recalled.
Albert was one of eight golfers vying for the final three spots to advance to final qualifying in the first qualifier at Lonnie Poole Golf Course in Raleigh, North Carolina. He eventually locked up the second spot by winning the fourth playoff hole.
It secured Albert a spot in U.S. Open final qualifying, which is commonly referred to as 鈥淕olf鈥檚 Longest Day,鈥 as he and others will play 36 holes on Monday with the hopes of securing a spot in the national championship.
Jake Albert follows the path of his tee shot during the first round of the 2024 Scott Robertson Memorial at 色多多 Country Club. Albert is playing in a U.S. Open final qualifier.
Albert has graduated from Blacksburg High School and is heading to Auburn University to continue his golf career. Before he joins the Tigers, he will spend Monday playing 36 holes at Duke University Golf Club in an attempt to qualify for the U.S. Open, one of four major men鈥檚 golf championships.
People are also reading…
Albert is joined at Duke by Forest native and former Oklahoma State golfer Zach Bauchou. Bauchou is currently playing on the Korn Ferry Tour.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 going to be fun,鈥 Albert said.
A final qualifier at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland, features Northwestern graduate and Blacksburg native Christopher Zhang seeking to make the U.S. Open.
Zhang is joined by former Virginia Tech golfer Mark Lawrence Jr. and Virginia rising senior Bryan Lee at the qualifier.
Albert鈥檚 future Auburn teammate, Logan Reilly, is in the qualifier at Woodmont. Reilly had a breakout 2024 season by winning the Scott Robertson Memorial, the VSGA Amateur and State Open.
VT recruit Walker eyes busy summer
Robinson High School rising senior Raquel Walker had the Scott Robertson Memorial circled on her summer golf schedule. It鈥檚 one of her favorite tournaments and allows her to play near where she will call home during her college career.
Walker has verbally committed to play at Virginia Tech and wrapped up her weekend at 色多多 Country Club by finishing in a tie for third.
鈥淟ooking forward to it. So excited,鈥 Walker said of playing at Virginia Tech.
Walker grew up playing with current Hokies golfer Alina Ho. She also is close friends with Emerson Dever, who was part of Tech鈥檚 2025 signing class.
Walker鈥檚 summer kicks into swing Monday when she begins play in the Dye Junior Invitational at Purdue鈥檚 Kampen-Cosler Course. Walker is one of 36 girls in the field.
鈥淭hat will be a really good challenge,鈥 Walker said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited for that one.鈥
The Lanto begins Tuesday
The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) has three events scheduled in Virginia for June.
The first begins Tuesday with the Lanto Junior Championship at Blacksburg Country Club.
Albert, the defending boys champion, is one of 45 players in the boys field.
The girls field features Scott Robertson Memorial champion Kathryn Ha and fellow 色多多 natives Alisa Davidova and Ashnoor Kaur.
Local tournament on tap
The 色多多 Valley Golf Hall of Fame is set for this upcoming weekend.
The three-day men鈥檚 hall of fame tournament begins Friday at Blacksburg Country Club. Saturday鈥檚 second round is scheduled for Ashley Plantation Golf Club and Sunday鈥檚 final round is slated for Great Oaks Country Club in Floyd.
The ladies and senior ladies play a two-round tournament on Saturday and Sunday at Ashley Plantation and Great Oaks, respectively.
