By Jeff Hogan, WRAL anchor

Carter Jenkins and Michael McGowan will be playing for the first time in this year’s U.S. Open.

Michael McGowan grew up just a few miles from this resort in Pinehurst.

“Obviously, this will be one of the biggest – or biggest events – I’m gonna ever play in at this point in time,” McGowan said. “And hopefully [this] kind of springboards me going forward.”

McGowan is a first-timer at the U.S. Open, but the bloodlines of Sandhills greatness run deep in his family. His grandmother Peggy Kirk Bell was an Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) pioneer with deep ties to nearby Pine Needles Resort.

Carter Jenkins, a UNC graduate from Raleigh, is also making his U.S. Open debut.

The Tar Heel went over to Duke’s golf club a couple of weeks ago, and that’s where he qualified for this championship.

“I’m just here, I’m just here for the moment, I’m here for the opportunity, I’m here for the championship, and I’m going to give it everything that I’ve got,” Jenkins said. “And like I said, we’ll see where we fall on Sunday.”

Source: wralsportsfan.com