BROOKLINE, Mass. — Boston is a parochial olde town infamous for its “last hurrahs” in politics and sports.
Fran Quinn of Holden has been a fixture on the golf scene in the commonwealth for decades and would certainly qualify in the latter category on one of the grandest stages of golf.
Quinn, 57, is the oldest player in the field of the 122nd U.S. Open at The Country Club. Quinn will participate in his fifth and likely final U.S. Open on a classic track that he’s played over a dozen times before as an amateur and touring pro.
Quinn missed qualifying for the U.S. Open at The Country Club by one stroke in 1988, a definitive piece of unfinished business that’s being realized now that he’s well along on the PGA Tour Champions.
“I love it and I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Quinn. “Now that the week is here it’s a dream because 34 years ago, I missed by a shot to get in for the Open here when I was 22.
“I was devasted as a kid and my dad put his arm around my shoulder right out there on that practice tee. He said ‘Franny, you are going to play in a lot of these so keep your head up’.
“Now 34 years later, God rest his soul, I’m sure he is smiling down right now. Here I am back at the The Country Club playing in the U.S. Open.”
There is another generational component to Quinn’s participation as a hometown favorite in the U.S. Open. Quinn was enticed to enter the Open qualifiers by his son Owen, who played collegiately at Lehigh. Owen had signed on to compete in the local qualifier at Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown, a layout Fran was very familiar with.
“It wasn’t really on my radar at the beginning of the year,” Quinn said. “I was in Tucson and my son called me and asked what I thought of Taconic for himself at the local qualifier.
“I said, ‘Oh, that is an unbelievably good venue so put us both down. Let’s both go and get to Brookline this year.’ With my schedule I wasn’t sure I would be able to do it. We both go to Taconic and finish second.”
The father and son tandem advanced to the 36-hole final qualifier at Century Country Club and Old Oaks Country Club in Purchase, N.Y. Fran Quinn shot 2 under and qualified in a playoff with Michael Thorbjorsen of Wellesley, who plays collegiately at Stanford. Owen Quinn shot a good round but stumbled late and failed to qualify.
“We ended up going to Purchase together and through 27 holes I was 4 under and he was even,” Quinn said. “We both had a legitimate shot to make it here to Brookline. Unfortunately, he made a couple of bogeys and I got through.”
Missing the cut didn’t deter Owen Quinn from participating in the Open at TCC. Fran Quinn began his practice round on the first tee Wednesday at 1:36 p.m. with Owen carrying the bag and managing the course logistics.
“I caddied for my son a couple of years ago here at the state amateur,” Quinn said. “They have changed some things and the greens are a little bit different and the sight lines are a little different. As we progress through the week, I’m learning something every day. You’ve got to pay attention because the wind conditions can put a little chink in your armor.
“You’ve got to pay attention, but he’s really good. He’s a smart kid and he will be able to help me out a lot. I can’t believe how well it’s been presenting and it’s going to be a great test and a fun week.”
