Sean Farren went to Riverview High School, grew up practically in the shadow of Oakmont Country Club and also worked there as an assistant golf professional. One of his dreams was to qualify for the U.S. Open at Oakmont.

That never happened for Farren, but what happened yesterday in a U.S. Open sectional qualifier in Purchase, N.Y., is almost as good.

Farren, 39, shot 4-under 138 (68-70) and was one of four qualifiers from a field of 77 players to advance to the 109th U.S. Open at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y., which is only 17 miles from Farren's new home on Long Island.

Farren has been the head professional at The Creek Club in Locust Valley, N.Y., for the past three years after spending six years as the head professional at Totteridge Golf Club in Greensburg. Getting to play at Bethpage Black is almost like qualifying in his back yard.

"I got in my car and said to my wife [Lisa], 'Oh my God, I've qualified for the U.S. Open. Why did I do that?' " Farren said. "Like it was a bad thing."

Farren almost didn't make it. He bogeyed two of the last three holes after making consecutive birdies at Nos. 14 and 15. But he finished tied with two other players, just one shot behind low qualifier Kevin Silva (137) of New Bedford, Mass.

It was the first time Farren has qualified for the U.S. Open after failing on four other attempts in a sectional qualifier.

"It was white knuckles to the finish," Farren said. "I was getting sick those last three holes. I ran out of holes too fast."

Seven local players who advanced from two 18-hole qualifiers in Western Pennsylvania failed to make it to the U.S. Open. Six failed to make it at the NCR Club in Dayton, Ohio -- St. Clair amateur Dave Brown (140), St. Jude amateur Sean Knapp (141), Nevillewood teaching professional Gordon Vietmeier (142), amateur John Popeck of Washington, Pa. (146), amateur Robert Rohanna of Waynesburg (150) and amateur Justin Moose of North Huntington (151).

Treesdale assistant professional Travis Dickson shot 75-79-154 and missed qualifying at the Lake Nona Club in Orlando, Fla.