Stephen Sear has long been one of the top golf amateurs in Nevada, and he proved it again in 2026 by qualifying for the U.S. Senior Open, which will be played July 2-6 at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio.
Sear fired a 67 and was the low amateur and one of three players to advance following final qualifying at Tuscany Falls (West Course) in Arizona. This is the third time Sear, 59, has earned his way into the U.S. Senior Open.
“Playing in a Senior Open is a great opportunity to compete against some of the best players in the world in my age group,” Sear said. “I first qualified when I was 51 years old. I played in the championship in 2018 and 2019 after qualifying at ages 51 and 52. I hit the ball a lot farther back then. It was only six or seven years ago, but that’s probably the biggest challenge I’ll face this time. I still hit it solid, but I don’t hit it nearly as long as I used to. When I first turned 50, I felt like I was one of the longer players in the field. That won’t be the case now, so I’ll have to make up for it in other areas of my game.”
Sear missed the cut by two shots in his first Senior Open appearance and by one shot in his second. He hopes to make it to the weekend in 2026, but the overall experiences of each U.S. Senior Open will hold a special place in his heart forever.
“Those two tournaments remain my favorite golf experiences of all time,” Sear said. “My younger son, Ryan, caddied for me the first year, and my older son, Sean, caddied for me the second year. This year, one of my daughters will caddie for me during the first round, and my other daughter will caddie for me during the second round, so I am looking forward to having Casey and Claire with me inside the ropes. By the end of this championship, all four of my children will have caddied for me in a U.S. Senior Open. Being inside the ropes at a major championship like the U.S. Senior Open with one of your children on the bag is incredible. Those are the best golf memories I’ve ever had.”
Playing in a Senior Open is the opportunity of a lifetime, but Sear truly enjoys competing in amateur events organized by Nevada Golf throughout Northern and Southern Nevada.
“I love the competition,” Sear said. “I won back-to-back Nevada State Amateur titles in 2015 and 2016, and I’ve won the last two Nevada Senior State Amateur championships as well. More than anything, I have enjoyed the people. I have made great friends through the game, especially with players from Southern Nevada. Unfortunately, I don’t get to compete against the Las Vegas players very often outside of the state championships, but I really enjoy the camaraderie and the competition. It’s a lot of fun, and I wouldn’t keep doing it if I didn’t love it.”
Sear understands that Father Time waits for nobody and appreciates the significance of the opportunity awaiting him in Ohio.
“I know I am getting closer to the end of my time competing in events like this, so I’m going to enjoy every moment,” Sear said. “My entire family is coming, along with their significant others, and we’re going to make it a wonderful experience regardless of the outcome. I don’t know how many more opportunities like this I’ll have, so I am going to embrace this championship as if it might be my last.”
