One’s initial visit to the nation’s capital often includes the usual sightseeing tours: the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian museums and the Washington Monument.
For former University of Colorado standout Steve Irwin — if the last name rings a bell, yes, he is the son of three-time U.S. Open winner Hale Irwin — the wonder and awe of D.C. will have to wait.
The younger Irwin, 36, qualified for his first U.S. Open, which is being held at Congressional County Club, just outside of Washington in Bethesda, Md.
“This is every golfer’s dream come true,” said Irwin, who is president of his father’s golf course design company, Hale Irwin Golf Services. “I don’t care if you are a 3-handicapper or a touring pro, this is a dream come true. It is going to be a difficult test of golf.”
The tournament starts today.
Irwin chose to attempt to qualify at Oakmont Country Club in Glendale, Calif. After firing an opening-round 67 that included a blistering, 5-under-par 31 on the inward nine, Irwin shared the lead. He started to believe his dream may become a reality.
A second-round 71 gave him a two-round total of 138, just one shot back of co-medalists Scott Pinckney of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Matthew Edwards of Las Cruces, N.M., and one shot better than the fifth and final qualifier, Brian Locke, who won a four-player playoff.
“I think everybody, including myself, started to tighten up in the second round,” Irwin said. “I was fortunate; I made a couple of big putts.”
Irwin sank a 25-foot par putt on the last hole to avoid a playoff.
“I was pretty confident that if I didn’t make it, I was going to be in trouble,” said Irwin, who regained his amateur status after an attempted professional run after his career at CU did not pan out.
Now the expectations of the family name that come with being Hale Irwin’s son are back in play.
“I qualified as an amateur back in 1966; it’s taken another 45 years for another Irwin as an amateur to get there,” Hale Irwin said. “It was certainly a dream of mine as a young person, and I know it’s been a dream of Steven’s for a long time. I am very, very happy for him and very proud of him.”
Hale Irwin, as a 21-year old amateur, made the cut at the 1966 Open at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, a tournament eventually won in a playoff by Billy Casper over Arnold Palmer. Hale hopes Steve can somehow follow in his footsteps.
“We have talked about this since he was little boy, and I’ve only had to reiterate this is such a unique experience and one that you don’t know if you are ever going to have again,” said Hale Irwin. “Take advantage of the time and have fun. Having said that, fun is also playing well.”
Steve Irwin spent the practice rounds this week getting used to a course he had never played. He isn’t necessarily a long hitter, at least by today’s standards, but all U.S. Opens put a premium more on accuracy — hitting fairways and greens — than length, although Congressional’s par-71 layout measures 7,574 yards.
“I’d be lying a little bit if I told you I wasn’t going to walk on the first tee and be a little awed,” Irwin said. “I do think having played with some of my dad’s peers will help alleviate some of those fears and put me in the right frame of mind.”
Former Kent Denver High School standout Brandt Jobe, now based in Westlake, Texas, also qualified for the Open.
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
