Golf a family affair for Fran Quinn

PINEHURST, N.C. - Fran Quinn has celebrated the ups and endured the downs of competitive professional golf since turning pro in 1988, and he keeps persevering, trying to figure the crazy game out.

"I think 99 percent of us who play the game, that's the nature of the beast," the 49-year-old Quinn said Saturday after the third round of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

"Not everybody is Tiger, Phil, or Rory. It's a game that we love. It's a game that's great when you're on top and a tough one when you have a day like today. You just have to pick your head up and move forward."

Quinn's story has been a heartwarming one at the Open. Playing in his first national championship in 18 years, and with his 15-year-old son, Owen, on the bag, he carded a 2-under-par 68 in the opening round and made the cut Friday. His putter wasn't as kind to him Saturday, and he shot a 79 to finish three rounds at 11-over 221.

Quinn is the oldest boy in a family of seven children from Worcester, Mass., and the brother of Temple golf coach Brian Quinn. It was a family that loved golf, and the family patriarch, Fran, taught his boys the game.

"He was a tremendous man, a great amateur golfer, and a great dad," said Quinn, whose father died two years ago. "He instilled in us values that were, no matter what, lessons that golf taught you. It was neat to be able to basically take some of those lessons and apply them to your trade."

Brian Quinn called his father "an amazing golfer" and said he "fell in love with the game" thanks to him and his oldest brother.

"It was always fun growing up and playing against your brother," Brian Quinn said. "Fran and I played a lot together locally. If I beat him, I usually won the tournament, and vice versa. I've played with him my whole life. He's the reason why I turned pro."

Fran Quinn is looking for a good round Sunday.

"Hopefully we can make a few putts and we just have a good day to finish off a good week," he said.