26 years after U.S. Open appearance, local golfer Rick Stimmel is on the doorstep again

At 58, Rick Stimmel might seem to be too old to be competing in the U.S. Open local qualifier at the Club at Nevillewood. And you certainly wouldn't expect him to be carrying his own bag.

Stimmel is the seventh-ranked senior amateur in the country who was ranked No. 1 in the world just a couple years ago. It was 26 years ago when he made it through all the qualifying stages to compete in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

But there he was Tuesday, grabbing one of the five qualifying spots by shooting 1-under 71 and emerging from a four-man playoff with a birdie at the first playoff hole.

"Three-quarters of the field wasn't even born when I played in 2000," said Stimmel, who plays out of Connoquenessing Country Club. "It's nothing but young kids nowadays."

Glengarry professional Talon Kriebel and Cheswick amateur Amani D'Ambrosio tied for medalist at 3-under 69.

Austin Lemieux, Mario's son, shot 70 to also gain one of the qualifying spots.

Sewickley's Jason Li, who made it through the local qualifier last year, gained the other spot in a playoff.

They will advance to a 36-hole sectional qualifier - the final step leading to the U.S. Open at Shinnecock on June 18-21.

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This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 3:42 PM.