SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara men's golf coach Rob Miller will be spending his birthday weekend doing what he loves, halfway across country.

Earlier this month, Miller shot a 74 and finished third at a sectional qualifier in Santa Barbara, good for a spot in this weekend's U.S. Senior Amateur Open at The Old Warson Country Club in St. Louis.  He'll play 36 holes in the tournament's stroke play format (18 Saturday and 18 Sunday) and hopes to qualify when the lowest scores from the weekend start match play on Monday. The 12th-year head coach is looking forward to it.

"Everyone wants to play in one of these because they're really well-run events," Miller said. "The competition is at the highest level, and they're open competitions which makes them even more exciting."

He has experience when it comes to USGA events, having played in the 2003 Mid-Amateur in Wilmington, Delaware.

"I was an old guy in that field at 48." Miller laughed. "Now, at 61 (this Friday) I'm an average age for this event."

Heading to Old Warson, home of the 1971 Rider Cup, Miller is expecting a course typical of USGA standards.

"The back nine is a bear and the front nine is where you have to score. But it's in excellent shape, with fast greens. A lot of it's about putting control. The par 3s are over 200 yards and the par 5s are long and difficult. Not an easy golf course that's for sure."

From over 2,300 entries — through sectional qualifiers in 41 states — to this weekend, it's down to the championship field, including Santa Clara University's own Miller, who will be enjoying his birthday for sure.