US Open qualifier Vogt tells Fan about craziest days of his life

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – "These have been the craziest couple of days of my life."

Matt Vogt, the Seneca Valley High School graduate, now dentist, who qualified for the US Open on Monday as he joined the Pomp and Joe Show on 93.7 The Fan. Vogt not only qualified, but was the medalist at one of 10 final qualifiers across the country, this one in Walla Walla, Washington.

It's been quite a journey from Cranberry Township, to school and then work in Indiana, through Washington state to come back home where he was employed for a few summers caddying at Oakmont Country Club.

"The local knowledge is going to be great," Vogt told Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey on 93.7 The Fan. "I'm most excited about just knowing what is going on at Oakmont. I've been in the locker room. I've been in the caddy yard. I've been around that golf course a million times. Just knowing the layout of things, it's going to, hope help me feel as calm as I can while playing in the US Open in front of gosh knows how many people."

He referred to the last few days as a dream, that was after the nightmare of losing his father a couple of weeks ago. Vogt said he and his dad would bond over a couple of things-Pittsburgh sports and golf. He feels he drew strength from his father during the stressful times of qualifying and now here he is back at Oakmont, not carrying a bag, but playing in the national championship.

Vogt told 93.7 The Fan caddying at a place like Oakmont Country Club taught him how to conduct himself and navigate life. He tried to pick the brains of those he walked with on the fairways and roughs when he could. He called it a great place for a high school and college kid to work.

Now he gets to work trying to use the same advice he gave others about one of the hardest courses in the world. Vogt said he's a long hitter and this year has been hitting it straight. He joked if he misses a fairway it's better to miss closer to the hole.

"This all happened really fast," Vogt said on the Pomp and Joe Show. "I can't change who I am. I can't change my game or preparation. I've got what I got. It sounds cliché, I just have to take a shot and keep the golf course in front of you as much as possible. I have no clue what it will be like to play it under US Open conditions. It's probably going to be insane compared to anything I've ever experienced."

"I'm obviously playing great, but I'm trying to minimize any expectations."

The dentist is going to be stepping onto a tee box with the best golfers in the world. Doing it in his hometown and a place he once worked.

It truly is a dream.