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When Pittsburgh amateur Nathan Smith
shot 70 in the USGA Open Local at Indiana CC on May 9, little
did he know his score would involve a trip across the Atlantic
Ocean. In a playoff for the last spot, Smith was second
alternate. The USGA assigns alternates to Sectionals as places
open due to withdrawals.
When as exempt player withdrew from the recently established
Sectional in England for European Tour players, the preset
schedule called for the alternate from Indiana to be called.
Several site were ahead of Indiana, but their players declined
the opportunity. When Smith was called, he accepted and flew to
London to compete at Walton Heath GC, Surrey, one of England's
great courses.
In the
Sectional, Smith shot 72-75—147. A score of
139 or better was needed to gain one of the nine spots for the
52 contestants, three of those from the
USA.
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