The three-day tournament was played at the En-Joue Golf Club in Endicott, N.Y., during the week that marked the 30th anniversary of the Champion's Tour.
While participating in the Champions Tour, players are guaranteed to play three days of golf and are awarded various amounts of prize money to help cover expenses.
Parker said he had to purchase new clubs just before the tournament started because he had left important equipment at home, thinking that he would not qualify at all.
"It was a great week for me," Parker said. "I wasn't even planning to qualify and play in the tournament so overall it was just a great experience and good opportunity."
Parker was one of 78 golfers competing for the number one spot.
Beginning the tournament with an impressive first round finishing three under a par of 72 Parker started round two in 16th place.
"I wasn't concerned where I was in the tournament after round one," he said. "I played a first good round but what matters is who is number one at the end of the three days."
Parker struggled during round two and ended up evening out his score, bringing in a day-two score of 75, three over par.
On the final day, the Big Green coach had the opportunity to play with Ben Crenshaw, a Hall of Fame golfer and a two-time Masters tournament champion.
One under par at the end of round three, Parker ended the tournament carding a total score of 215.
"In the third round, I played pretty darn good." Parker said. "It was an amazing week and a great game."
Loren Roberts, the winner of the tournament, finished with a score of 201, shooting scores of 68, 68 and 65, respectively. He finished 15 under par and brought home $255,000 in prize money.
Parker faced a quick turnaround for his next venture. On Monday, just a day after the close of the Dick's Sporting Goods Open, he attempted to qualify for the Montreal Championship but missed the cutoff by a mere two strokes.
The game of golf can change overnight, however, and Parker's luck soon turned around.
He practiced for an hour, drove to Boston and quickly prepared for another qualifying round of golf. This time, out of a field of 74, Parker shot a 67 and became one of the day's two qualifiers to compete in the USGA Senior Open.
The Open will begin July 29 at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash., just outside Seattle.
Sahalee, rated one of the top courses in the country, hosted the 1998 PGA Championship.
Parker last played in the U.S. Open in 1990 and said he is excited to be back on such a big stage.
"This is a big tournament," Parker said. "Everyone's around and looking to play a good round of golf."
While spots in the Senior Open are reserved for winners of official PGA Champions Tour events, the remaining spots are filled through sectional qualifying events nationwide, allowing golfers like Parker to qualify.
Parker will compete for the title with over 150 professional and amateur golfers, including last year's champion Fred Funk.
Funk underwent knee replacement surgery in November but is reported to be fully recovered and ready to defend his title.
Before joining the Dartmouth athletics staff in 2005, Parker had compiled numerous accomplishments in the world of golf, including being named PGA Player of the Year in two states Vermont and New Hampshire.
After an illustrious college athletic career at Plymouth State University in which he captained the golf, basketball and baseball teams, Parker is now a member of the Plymouth State Hall of Fame.
Back in Lebanon, N.H., the coach is gearing up for the Open but is also focused on recruiting for Dartmouth golf, he said.
The Big Green men's golf team finished in fourth place in the 2010 Ivy Championships. This was by no means a disappointment, Parker wrote in an open letter at the end of the season.
"I can tell you that we lost the title by just 12 strokes, which amounts to one shot per golfer each round," he wrote. "The good Lord knows how close a lot of teams were. Our kids are on the brink of achieving our goals here at Dartmouth."
