The only giveaway that Spencer Ralston is still in high school is the “Gainesville Red Elephants” stitched into his red golf bag.
His game, at least on Monday at the U.S. Open local qualifier at the Legends at Chateau Elan, certainly looked as if he was much more than that.
Ralston, a junior at Gainesville High School who has committed to Georgia, shot a 5-under 67 to take medalist honors on the 6,986-yard course.
Ralston, 17, was one of seven players to advance to the next round of Open qualifying, the 36-hole sectional at Hawks Ridge in Ball Ground on June 8. Qualifiers from there advance to the Open, which will be played at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash., on June 18-21.
“I knew I was playing really well and had an opportunity to qualify,” Ralston said. “I wouldn’t say (expectations) were high, but I was looking forward to it because I was playing so well. I wanted to keep up the momentum.”
If you count wins as a criterion, then, yes, Ralston has been playing well.
He won the Chattahoochee Junior Classic on Sunday with a two-day 9-under 135. Next week, he and the rest of the Red Elephants will compete for the Class AAAAA state championship at the Country Club of Columbus.
Ralston had all parts of his game working on Monday. His playing partner, professional Sean Eason, said he wouldn’t have known Ralston was in high school if not for the clue on his bag.
“He didn’t back off from any shot,” Eason said. “He was aggressive with every shot. Read putts fantastic. No fear.”
Though his driver found most fairways on the narrow course, Ralston said his putter was the key.
Starting that round on No. 10, he sunk 20-foot birdie putts on the par-3 No. 12 and No. 7. His short-iron play led to short birdie putts on five others.
“(Putting is) not a strength. It’s kind of sketchy when it goes,” he said. “But when it’s good, it’s really good.”
Ralston advanced to the sectional qualifying for the first time three attempts. Among the others to advance included Kennesaw State’s Jimmy Beck.
While Ralston may be a future college star, Anders Albertson, who is about to wrap up one one of the best careers in Georgia Tech history, started slowly before finishing strongly to also qualify.
Albertson, who on Monday became the 16th player in conference history to be named All-ACC four consecutive years, was even par going to No. 14 before closing with three birdies for a 3-under 69.
Albertson, who will turn pro on June 15, said it took him a while to get over feeling “stagnant” on the front nine. Georgia Tech hasn’t played a competitive match since winning the ACC championship in late April. Albertson finished as co-champion of that event.
By virtue of that win, Albertson and the Jackets will compete in an NCAA regional on Thursday in California.
So Monday served a two-fold purpose for him: getting ready for NCAAs, and trying to work on making it to the U.S. Open.
“It feels good to keep momentum going with how I’ve been playing, and going into San Diego,” Albertson said. “I’m ready to get over there and play with my team.”
U.S. Open Local No. 1 Qualifying Results
The Legends at Chateau Elan
Braselton, Ga.
Qualifiers
Spencer Ralston, Gainesville, Ga. (a) 67
Jimmy Beck, Columbus, Ga. (a) 68
Paul Apyan, Chattanooga, Tenn. 68
Adam Hart, Columbia, S.C. 69
Richard Swift, Australia 69
Michael Hebert, Powder Springs, Ga. 69
Anders Albertson, Woodstock, Ga. (a) 69
Alternates
1st Shan Tuten, Elberton, Ga. (a) 70 *
2nd David Mackey, Watkinsville, Ga. 70 *
Others of interest
Will McCurdy Auburn, Ala. 72
Dalton Melnyk (a) Atlanta, Ga. 77
Jeff Ely Atlanta, Ga. 77
Joseph Finemore Canton, Ga. 77
Jason Mendel (a) Norcross, Ga. 78
Ashton Pellicano (a) Atlanta, Ga. 78
Kyle Stiles (a) Athens, Ga. 79
Jacob Bayer (a) Lawrenceville, Ga. 79
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