Oregon golfer Ubers to U.S. Open qualifier

By Joe McDonald

RIGA Senior Writer

LINCOLN -- Rhode Island Golf Association legend Joe Pieranunzi served as the official starter for the U.S. Open Local Qualifier Tuesday at Kirkbrae Country Club. He stood in his usual spot on the first tee and introduced each player before their round. The first group started at 7:30 a.m., so it was interesting to hear “Joe P” announce one of the golfers. 

“On the tee, from Medford, Oregon, Joshua Wu,” Pieranunzi shouted out. 

Wu, 25, graduated from the Air Force Academy last year and is stationed at Hanscom AFB in Massachusetts. He played college golf for Air Force and was sporting his academy’s colors, golf bag and golf shirt Tuesday at Kirkbrae.

He was excited about playing in the local qualifier, but nearly didn’t make it. His car’s alternator failed Monday night while he was picking up his girlfriend from Logan Airport. It was 9 p.m. and he was able to at least get the vehicle back to his house. He thought about withdrawing from the qualifier, but his older brother, Dylan, who is on the PGA Tour, convinced Josh to play. So, Wu and his girlfriend, Erin Myers, spent $59 to Uber from Southie to Kirkbrae Country Club at 5 a.m.

“We made it,” Wu said with a smile. “I’m happy the Uber driver got us here.” 

Wu shot 5-over 77 and missed the cut. Still, he said he had a blast playing in the event. Myers, of Lowell, went to Boston University and the two met through a mutual friend in Southie. She walked alongside her boyfriend the entire round. 

“It was good to just come out here and play,” Wu said. “We don’t get too much time off as active-duty officers, so good thing I have a good chain of command. A lot of them are big golfers, so they were able to give me some time off. My game’s not as sharp as it was in college, but the expectations are still high. It was fun to come out and play and compete with the guys fresh out of college.” 

Along with Dylan, Josh also has a twin brother, Jeremy, and a younger sister, Kaylee, who also plays college golf at Lipscomb University. 

“I come from a big golfing family, so just trying to play as much golf as I can this summer,” he said. 

He played in the USGA Mid-Amateur Qualifier last summer at Warwick Country Club, and he plans on playing in the event again this August at Connecticut National GC. Well, as long as he can get there.