Florence native makes Senior Open field again

FLORENCE — Bert Atkinson is no stranger to the U.S. Senior Open.

And he’s certainly no stranger to the course where he qualified for the event on Tuesday.

The Florence native shot 64 to earn the top spot at the sectional qualifying event at Florence Country Club, turning in a front-nine 31.

Atkinson, a member of the final graduating class at Florence’s McClenaghan High School, honed his golf skills years ago at Florence Country Club.

He probably didn’t realize at the time it would pay off with appearances in two USGA major championship events.

Tuesday marked the second consecutive year Atkinson has qualifed for the U.S. Senior Open.

A year ago, he shot 68 during sectional qualifying at the Hampton Hall Club in Bluffton to make the field at the Broadmoor Club in Colorado Springs, Colo.

This time, the former Francis Marion standout is headed for Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind. The tournament is scheduled for July 27-Aug. 2.

Atkinson, who now lives and owns a promotions business in Charleston, reached his goal of making the cut last year and finished tied for 52nd at 16-over.

He was joined in qualifying Tuesday by Javier Sanchez, of Tupelo, Miss., who shot 65. Irmo’s Steven Liebler also shot 65 and earned the first alternate spot. The second alternate spot went to Michael Donald of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., who shot 66.

Other locals who took their shot at making the field included Marion’s Byron Beck (35-37—72), Chesterfield’s Joe Hendrick (35-38—73), Cheraw’s Buddy Brooks (35-38—73) and Hartsville’s Brad Nycum (37-38—75).

Atkinson was an NAIA All-American his final year of college at Francis Marion in 1979, a member of the NAIA District Six all-district team and the Patriots’ MVP. Francis Marion finished eighth that year at the NAIA national tournament in Greensboro, N.C., where Atkinson placed seventh, seven strokes behind the medalist.