By Stephen Hanjack
shanjack@massgolf.org
BERNARDSTON, Massachusetts (May 1, 2025) – Each year, thousands of golfers embark on a journey with one goal in mind: to earn a spot in the 156-player field at the U.S. Open. In Massachusetts, that journey began for many on Thursday morning at Crumpin-Fox Club. At days end, the dream remained intact for four players, who have advanced to U.S. Open Final Qualifying.
Ieuan Jones (Wales), Cooper Griffin (Weston, MA), Robbie Keyes (Louisville, KY), and Jimmy Jones (Canada) outperformed a field of 78 hopefuls to move one step closer to our national championship.
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The leaderboard may indicate that Ieuan Jones is from Wales, but having spent his entire life in the United States, the Harvard first-year student is excited and ready for the challenge that awaits at U.S. Open Final Qualifying.
“I am just as good as anyone,” said Jones of his mindset heading into the next stage. “Just looking forward to another 36 holes and see what happens.”
How he got there was a bit pedestrian — a bunch of fairways and greens. After a misjudged opening tee shot, Jones steadied the ship and easily took home medalist honors with a 3-under-par 69.
“I pulled the wrong club on the first hole and hit it into the trees,” said Jones. “After that, I don’t think I missed a green, so that was really nice.”
Cooper Griffin (Woodland GC) is no stranger to Final Qualifying, having advanced several times before. On Thursday, Griffin relied on his trusty 2 iron to keep it in play around Crumpin-Fox’s tight layout.
“I hit probably two drivers all day,” said Griffin. “I think it probably helped me out a lot because I hit it (2 iron) so straight.”
A late birdie on the 17th hole pulled Griffin into red numbers and helped him avoid a playoff.
Robbie Keyes has now advanced through USGA Qualifying in Massachusetts twice. With his sister at Williams College, Keyes enjoys making the trip north to visit and, of course, qualify for national championships. Keyes had previously qualified for the U.S. Amateur at Berkshire Hills, and on Thursday, he added Crumpin-Fox to his list. A pair of birdies on the final two holes pulled him into, and then above, the playoff cutline.
The fourth and final spot was decided in a playoff by two players who were paired together in the final group of the day.
In regulation, Jimmy Jones was one ahead of Shawn Warren (Falmouth, ME) on the 18th tee. Laying back off the tee, Jones was faced with a mid-to-short iron shot into the wind. Warren chose driver and had a short wedge shot into the closing green. An airmailed approach shot forced Jones to settle for bogey, and when Warren’s 5-footer for par found the bottom of the cup, the playoff was set.
In the playoff, Warren avoided disaster after mishitting his tee shot on the first playoff hole (hole 1). With over 200 yards into the green, Warren’s approach shot then sailed left into the woods but came to rest just short of the green after kicking out of the trees. Jones was unable to hit the green with his wedge shot, and both players settled for bogey.
On the second playoff hole (hole 18), both players made routine pars, sending the playoff to a third hole (again, hole 1). The third time was a charm for Jones, who stuck a wedge to 10 feet and curled in a birdie putt for the win.
After many failed attempts to qualify in Florida, Jones chose Massachusetts this time around, eyeing the more difficult courses of the Northeast that better suit his game.
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Next Up: The four qualifiers from Thursday will now compete in 36-hole U.S. Open Final Qualifying on either May 19 or June 2. Next week (May 7), U.S. Open Local Qualifying will take place a short ride down I-91 at GreatHorse.
COMPLETE LIST OF QUALIFIERS AND ALTERNATES FROM CRUMPIN-FOX CLUB
QUALIFIER (Name, City, Score)
Ieuan Jones (a), Wales; (-3) 69
Robbie Keyes (a), Louisville, KY; (-1) 71
Cooper Griffin (a), Weston, MA; (-1) 71
Jimmy Jones, Canada; (E) 72*
ALTERNATES (In Order)
Shawn Warren, Falmouth, ME; (E) 72
Patrick Gocklin, Bedford, NH; (+1) 73
*Advanced on third playoff hole
When traveling up I-91, the last course you’ll find before crossing the Vermont border is Crumpin-Fox. Originally conceived in 1969 as the “Field of Dreams” of David Berleson, the course opened for play over 20 years later.
Since its opening in 1990, the club has been a staple on the competitive golf scene, having hosted dozens of Mass Golf and USGA events over the years. Thursday’s qualifying event marks the 8th time U.S. Open Qualifying has been hosted in Bernardston.
The club’s dedication to competitive golf will continue through its long-term support of the New England Junior Amateur Championship. Crumpin-Fox is now considered the permanent host site of the New England Junior, with an official commitment through 2027.
For the latest updates on all Mass Golf events, visit MassGolf.org or follow Mass Golf on Facebook, X, and Instagram at @PlayMassGolf.
