Jamaica, N.Y.- St. Johns senior golfer Andrew Svoboda (Stamford, Conn.) carded a three-under par 68 to earn top honors at the U.S. Open Westchester/Connecticut Local Qualifier played at Knollwood C.C. in Elmsford, N.Y. Svoboda was one shot ahead of the field and his top-10 finish qualifies him for the RSectional Qualifying Round and a chance to advance to the 2003 U.S. Open. The 2003 U.S. Open will be played at Olympia Fields C.C. on June 12-15.

Svoboda departs today for Auburn, Ala. and the NCAA East Regional. He was chosen as an individual selection, as it marks his third straight appearance in an NCAA Regional. The Red Storm team posted back-to-back NCAA selections in 2001 and 2002. The team struggled throughout most of the 2002-03, but that didnt slow down Svoboda. He enters the Regional with seven individual titles on the season and 14 for his career. The top 10 teams and top two individuals not on a qualifying team will advance to the NCAA finals.

St. Johns alum Jesse Fitzgerald finished as first alternate at the U.S. Open Long Island Sectional Qualifier played at Noyac G.C. in Sag Harbor, N.Y. Fitzgerald carded an even-par 72 to force a playoff for the final qualifying spot. Fitzgeralds opponent made birdie on the first playoff hole, dropping him to the first alternate position.