Brian Haskell and Brad Nurski each failed to qualify for the U.S. Mid-Amateur on Monday at the Golf Club at Creekmoor, but the disappointment came in two different forms for the St. Joseph golfers.

With only two players from the 24-player sectional field advancing, Haskell missed a playoff for the second spot by one stroke, shooting a 1-over 73. Nurski started his round with a double bogey and didn't make his only birdie until the final hole. He shot a 6-over 78.

Tyler Shelton of Fairway, Kan., took medalist honors with a 2-under 70, while Kris Casburn and Don Walsworth tied for second with matching 72s. Walsworth won the second spot with a par on the first playoff hole.

Haskell tied with Jimmy Gates for fourth place.

Haskell's round actually started with a similar negative tone to Nurski's.

After making bogey on each of the opening par 4s, Haskell only made one birdie on the front side and didn't scrape back to even par until a birdie at No. 16. However, a bogey on the par-3 17th proved his undoing.

Unable to find a birdie on the par-5 closing hole, Haskell found himself squeezed out of a playoff opportunity.

Nurski's round deteriorated rather than improved after his slow start.

After the double bogey, he made five bogeys and 10 pars during the next 15 holes before closing with a par-birdie finish to manage a 78. Nurski called it one of the worst putting rounds he's ever had.

"I was more worried about my driver coming into today. That was actually the best thing I had today," Nurski said.

Last year, Nurski and Haskell made it through sectional qualifying then reached the match play bracket after finishing the two rounds of stroke play in the top 64. Both were eliminated in the first round.

Players must have reached their 25th birthday on or before the first day of the the U.S. Mid-Amateur and have a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 3.4 to be eligible. The 2009 championship is scheduled for Oct. 3 to 8 at at Kiawah Island Club in South Carolina.