Pine-Richland graduate Van Sickle gets his shot at U.S. Open at Oakmont

Since his arrival Saturday at Oakmont Country Club, Mike Van Sickle has been something of a guest in his own home.

The former two-time WPIAL champion at Pine-Richland finished as the odd man out Monday in a 3-for-2 playoff at a U.S. Open sectional qualifier at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md.

As a first alternate, he knew his odds of getting into the U.S. Open field were good as long as a few fringe golfers didn't rise into the top 60 of the world rankings based on their performances this weekend.

“You know, in golf, you never want to root against people. You'd rather you play better or, in this case, a couple other guys played a little bit better,” Van Sickle said Sunday.

As of Sunday afternoon, he had caught enough breaks on leaderboards around the world, mathematically but not officially qualifying him.

He said he expected a call from the USGA on Sunday evening after the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, Tenn. However, in the days leading to that call, he hasn't been allowed to play Oakmont, his preparation limited to the practice ranges and walking the course.

“Mathematically, we're in. Unfortunately, I can't go play the course this week until I'm officially in the field,” said Van Sickle, 29, who estimates having played between 15 and 20 rounds at Oakmont. “I wasn't devastated after losing the playoff, and I'm just kind of trying to keep a positive attitude and come out here a little bit this last week to get ready to play.”

Van Sickle said the uncertainty of his situation would have bothered him more a couple of years ago. Now he's married and has a 4-month-old. His outlook on a few things, golf included, has shifted.

“The perspective changes, and just you get a little more laid back when it comes to other things like this when it doesn't pertain to the life and death of a child,” Van Sickle said.

Van Sickle said he is excited about the opportunity to play a U.S. Open at a local course, but he's not satisfied just being there. Not with golf to play and tournament directors to impress.

“Now that I'm here, it's not, ‘We're in the Open!' ” Van Sickle said. “It's back to business. For me, this is an opportunity to move the career a little bit forward. Being in the Open isn't good enough.”

Gary Torso, who spent 27 years as Pine-Richland's boys golf coach before retiring earlier this month, agreed the moment won't be too big for his former player.

“He was the best player on the team, but you wouldn't know it,” Torso said. “He still plays at Treesdale (Golf & Country Club in Gibsonia). That's his home course. A lot of our kids have gotten to meet him and know him.”

Torso said he planned to go to Oakmont on Thursday. He now has a favorite player to watch when he gets there.

“He's really had to go the long way around, and he's paid the price and I hope it works out for him,” Torso said. “I'd love to see him. I haven't seen him play since he was in high school.”

Andrew Erickson is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at aerickson@tribweb.com or via Twitter @AErickson_Trib.