With his 2006 West Penn Open victory, Bob Friend added this title to wins in the West Penn Amateur--1984 & 1985, becoming only the tenth player in the Association's 107 year history to win both.  Friend joins three Oakmont golfers who have won the West Penn Amateur and Open--Frank Fuhrer, III; John Birmingham, and W.C. Fownes.  Others in the club--Eben Byers, Arnold Palmer, Jim Masserio, Ron Milanovich, Marshall Marraccini, and Rick Stimmel.

2006 Champion Bob Friend

 

The graduate of Fox Chapel High School played his collegiate golf at Louisiana State University, enjoying a top notch amateur and collegiate career.   Friend has played the PGA Tour for several years, making 74 cuts in all.  His best finish was runner-up in the 1998 Canadian Open in a playoff with Billy Andrade.  Friend had been knocking on the West Penn Open door, with top five finishes in 2004 and 2005.