Ladin Hopes to Take the Fifth in Open Qualifying

Eight years ago at the U.S. Senior Open, Paul Ladin glanced at the leaderboard as he approached the ninth hole at the Oakland Hills Country Club in Birmingham, Mich., and saw his name atop the list.

His lead over such famed golfers as Jack Nicklaus, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Arnold Palmer was short-lived. Ladin bogeyed the ninth hole and went from two-under par after eight holes to missing the cut by one stroke. It was his best finish in four Senior Open appearances.

The 66-year-old resident of Westlake Village hopes to earn his fifth trip to the Senior Open. To advance, he must be one of the top two finishers today in a field of 57 at a 18-hole qualifying tournament at MountainGate Country Club in Los Angeles.

MountainGate is one of three Southern California qualifying sites for the U.S. Senior Open, which will be held July 8-11 at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines, Iowa.

“It’s like being Walter Mitty,” Ladin said of playing at the Senior Open. “It’s like being on another planet. I know Dave Stockton and George Archer. They really treat me nicely and it’s a wonderful experience to go out and play with them and see how I weather. They’re very talented and it’s a thrill to go out and qualify and try to make the cut.”

To get back to the Senior Open, Ladin might have to overcome his most challenging qualifying tournament.

Injuries have plagued him the last two years, and until three days ago, he hadn’t swung a club in a month. Operations on his left hand and right foot have hindered his game, and his time on the greens during that span has been sporadic.

A foot injury forced him to drop out of Senior Open qualifying last year midway through play. He forgot carts are not allowed, and was forced to walk the course. Five holes into the round, he withdrew.

Ladin recently underwent surgery on his left hand to unlock his pinky and ring fingers, and early last week was uncertain whether he would compete at MountainGate. A cortisone shot helped speed his recovery, but after hitting balls Tuesday, he is “not quite 100%.”

There are 45 professionals in the field and 12 amateurs--including Ladin--all eager for a trip to West Des Moines, Iowa. Ladin is one of the oldest competitors in the field, with the majority of the players in their 50s.

“It’s a very exciting opportunity for these guys,” said Bob Thomas, director of communications of the Southern California Golf Assn. “Probably, the most that qualify don’t go back there to win. They’d love to make the cut so they play all four days. . . .

“For most of the guys, it’s just the excitement of playing in it. Playing in front of a huge crowd. It’s going to be an exciting time.”

Ladin has a strategy for competing in one-day qualifying events. First, he shrinks the field in half, telling himself he is competing against 30 players instead of 60.

He then brings an aggressive style of play to the course.

“When you play to qualify, you’ve got to be aggressive,” Ladin said. “It’s one day, no mistakes. I love qualifying, because you have to do it or not. I’m a good qualifier.”

Ladin has earned his share of trophies to go with his Senior Open appearances. In 1995, he won the Southern California Golf Assn. Senior Amateur Championship and in 1993 the California Senior Amateur Championship.

As much as he’d love to advance to the Senior Open, Ladin is approaching qualifying as a tune-up for the California State Amateur Championship that begins Wednesday at Poppy Hills Golf Course.

Ladin said his chances of qualifying at his age are slim-to-none, and acknowledges that the field is wide-open. He noted several outstanding golfers would compete, including Louie Garcia of Camarillo and George Hunter of Agoura Hills, who missed qualifying last year by one stroke.

Gary Klahn of Simi Valley, who played in the Senior Open last year, also is in the field.

The last time Ladin qualified for the Senior Open, he rendered himself a longshot and finished as the top qualifier.

But it still comes down to which player gets hot at the right time.

“It really boils down to who’s making the putts that day,” Hunter said. “Most of the players can hit the ball fairly strong. . . . Whoever is making the putts that day has a shot at it. If you don’t, you’re not going to do it.”

If Ladin does qualify, he knows the odds of finishing among the top scorers are long.

“Trying to win the U.S. Senior Open is like me trying to be an astronaut,” Ladin said. “But I love to compete and I love the crowd.

“When you play, the rough is about six to eight inches higher than normal. They really set up the greens different. They don’t want any freaks to win the tournament. They make it very difficult, but it’s fun to try, and at my age, it’s a thrill.”