Playing with the big boys
Vana set to tee it up at U.S. Senior Open
When it comes to amateur golf in New England over the last quarter century, Frank Vana Jr. stands above the rest.
The two-time Massachusetts Player of the Decade will check off another milestone today when he appears at the U.S. Senior Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Vana booked a date in his 32nd USGA event after claiming the second of two spots in a June 5 qualifier at the Bay Club in Mattapoisett with a 1-under par 70.
“Any time you get to play with the big boys it’s kind of a thrill,” said Vana, who got as far as sectionals for the U.S. Open in 2004. Vana is trying to contain that thrill now.
“I’m trying to convince myself to just go out there and relax and put everything out of my mind. That’s the game, that’s the hard part,” said the Boxford resident. “It’s a progression. You want to make the cut and go from there. I’m really trying to stay relaxed. I’ve talked to Matt Parziale a lot and he’s been on tour, so to speak, and he’s been doing great. I was also lucky enough to play in the Deutsche Bank (at TPC Boston) in 2004 so hopefully I can draw on that a little bit and relax and play my game.”
Getting into the qualifier was persistence paying off for Vana, who thought he wasn’t going to be able to qualify as the Bay Club quickly filled up. He checked back later and found that someone had withdrawn, opening a slot. He made the most of it with four birdies and three bogeys to finish 1 shot behind medalist Eric Egloff of Maryland, the 2005 Mass. Open champion.
Vana did not play well earlier this month, missing the cut at the Mass. Open. He was fortunate to be paired with Rick Karbowski, who in 2008 finished tied for 49th the last time the Senior Open was at The Broadmoor.
“He said pay attention to the practice rounds because of the mountains. (The greens) break toward the mountains whether it looks like it or not, and he was pretty adamant about that on a few of the holes,” Vana said. “He said get comfortable with your numbers because the ball goes a little further and you need to pay attention to that all the time.”
Playing at about 6,300 feet above sea level, a ball travels about 7 percent further than at sea level, according to Titleist.
Turning 55 last August opened Vana to compete in the USGA Senior Amateur and he quickly made a name for himself, reaching the semifinals at The Minikhada Club in Minneapolis. That success earned him an exemption to the next two U.S. Senior Amateurs, this year at Eugene (Ore.) Country Club in August, and to this year’s Senior Amateur Championship at Royal Porthcawl in Wales to start the month.
Vana has not forgotten his roots as he is looking forward to the Mass. Amateur, which he has won twice, the Francis Ouimet Invitational, which he has won five times, and the Mid-Amateur, which he has captured nine times.
It’s a busy season, but he feels his game and body are in a good place.
“I feel like I’ve been hitting it pretty good. I feel like my short game has been pretty good. I think it’s been coming together this year for me,” Vana said. “I was battling some shoulder stuff for a few years and I finally feel healthy.”