Elk Grove Amateur Moves Closer to U.S. Open

For Grant Rappleye, golf means business.

Problem is, he’s still just an amateur, a title he was reminded of on his recent 21st birthday.

“It costs me $7 for a beer,” the collegiate golfer laughed. “I thought, ‘I won’t be doing this very often.' ”

While Rappleye must keep a college student’s budget, he knows the high stakes he’s currently involved in as he creeps closer to a shot at the national spotlight in his sport.

Earlier this month at Ruby Hill Golf Club in Pleasanton, Rappleye shot a 70 (two under par) to advance in the U.S. Open sectional qualifying. He will next compete on June 6 at the Oakmont Country Club in Glendale. If he shines again, he’ll earn a spot in the highly regarded national golf event.

“He is a really good player,” said his dad, Kevin Rappleye. “He’s not always the most consistent golfer but when he’s on, he can literally beat everyone. It kind of depends what games show up with him.”

Rappleye’s game was up and down during his junior season at Sac State. In his third season playing Div. 1 golf, the 2008 graduate of Christian Brothers High School averaged a round of 72.0 in the fall portion of the season and a 76.1 during the spring.

But just as pops said, when he’s on, he’s on. So if Rappleye is on for the 36 holes in one day in Glendale, he could certainly advance. The U.S. Open will be held June 16 through 19 in Maryland.

In preparation for the June 6 event, Rappleye will compete in this weekend’s 14th Annual Memorial Amateur Championship at Ancil Hoffman Golf Course in Carmichael. It will be a family event. Rappleye is a triplet, and another third of the trio, his brother Cameron, also competes for the Sac State golf team. The two will compete in the weekend event along with their dad Kevin and youngest brother Hunter, who will be a junior at Christian Brothers.

We caught up with him fresh off the golf course, preparing for this weekend’s tournament. 

Excited for some good family competition this weekend at the Memorial Amateur Championship at Ancil Hoffman?

Hunter and my Dad know they are going to have to play pretty well to beat Cameron and me. Their good days are our semi-bad days. There is some competition there, but they have to play pretty well.

What is it like growing up as a triplet?

It has its perks. We’re actually a lot closer now though. They had to separate us in school because we couldn’t be in the same class together. We’d either fight or get the rest of the class riled up.

So between you and Cameron, who is the better golfer? You can tell the truth.

We go through spurts. In the fall, his scoring average was a full shot and a half higher, so I beat him regularly. But in spring, in 15 rounds, I only beat him four or five times. We fluctuate quite regularly.

Growing up in Elk Grove, where did you play golf?

Valley Hi Country Club.

What type of golfer are you?

I can hit it out there pretty far, but I struggle with consistency sometimes. My short game is the best part of my game. Cameron hits it straight pretty much every time. Our golf games are as different as we are.

Being a high-level golfer, how do you deal with the frustrations of the game?

I’ve been lucky to not struggle with breaking clubs or having a bad attitude. High school was a bit of a problem because I would define myself by my golf scores. If I played well, it would be a good week. If not, it would be a week from hell. I have to keep it all in perspective, though. I’m getting a chance to play golf on scholarship.

Do you hope to play golf professionally?

I do, and I am a pretty realistic guy. You won’t know until you try. Even if I don’t play well next year, I’ll still give it a shot. There are so many tours these days you don’t have to make it to the PGA tour; you can still make a good living on the nationwide tour or another tour.

You are entering this weekend’s tournament with the top handicap. Does that make you the favorite?

It’s not a handicap tournament, so that won’t matter. But I am definitely not the favorite, definitely not in this tournament.