Kyle Stough remembers getting the autograph of PGA Tour pro Len Mattice. It was during the 1997 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club when Mattice signed a golf glove for the 9-year-old from Laurel.
Monday at Little Bennett Golf Course in Clarksburg, Stough, a recent graduate of DeMatha, found himself competing against his former hero. Playing in the Booz Allen Qualifier, Stough nearly matched Mattice, shooting a 3-under-par 69, falling one stroke short of a playoff for a slot in the Booz Allen Classic.
While Mattice shot a 68 to get into a nine-way playoff for two slots, Stough was making his long-shot bid with birdies on three of the final five holes. If birdie putts that grazed the hole on No. 15 and No. 17 had dropped, Stough, 18, would have lived his improbable dream, teeing off Thursday at the Tournament Players Club at Avenel.
“It would have been really fun. It’s my dream to play on tour,” said Stough, who will continue his career at the University of Virginia.
Stough and Rockville’s Joe Scheffres (69) did the best among local players in the field of 56. Mike Mulieri (70) and Brent Davis (71), both of Silver Spring played well along with Bethesda’s Richard Holland (71) and Centreville’s Tae Kim (71).
