Decorah native Nick Nelson has his sights set on playing in the U.S. Open

(Photo courtesy of Marquette University Athletics)

Decorah native Nick Nelson has taken the first step towardqualifying for the U.S. Open.

Nelson won an 18-hole tournament at Hidden Glen atBentdale Farms in Cedarburg, Wisconsin last week.  Nelson was the only player tobreak par in the 78-man field, shooting a 1-under 71.

"It was like a 30 mph wind all day," Nelson toldthe Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.  "People's hats were flying off theirheads. Golf bags were falling over...you hit what you think is a good shot andall of a sudden you're 20 yards off the green. I had a lot of par saves. That'swhat did it for me."

Nelson is a junior at Marquette University in Milwaukee and a member ofthe Marquette men's golf team. 

With the win, Nelson moves on sectional qualifying on June 8th at Springfield Country Club in Springfield, Ohio.  Competition will consist of 36 holes in one day on the par-72, 6,684 yard layout.  The number of sectional qualifiers for the U.S. Open will be determined by the quality and quantity of players at the ten sectional sites taken as a whole.

This year's U.S. Open championship will be held at Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington June 15th through the 21st.