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WPGA Times                        Volume #2, Issue #3 - June 20, 2008

Welcome to the first issue of the second volume of the WPGA Times. The purpose of this electronic newsletter is to update the golf community on events and happenings of the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association. Readers are welcome to suggest articles, photos, and other other materials for upcoming editions.

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Association News
Jeff Rivard, Executive Director (contact)
Nathan Smith finishes 3RD in Sunnehanna Amateur
With 67-68 on the weekend, Nathan Smith, Pittsburgh, finished 3rd in the prestigious Sunnehanna Amateur Championship, played June 5-8 at Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown.  He was tied for 22nd after the second round, moving up nearly twenty places over the weekend.  This was Smith’s second consecutive strong finish in the Sunnehanna as the Brookville native tied for 5th in 2007.  Smith’s rounds were 73-70-67-68—278, as he finished six strokes behind Ricky Fowler, Murietta, CA, who won his second straight title.

Other area players

            Mike VanSickle, Wexford—75-68-72-71—286, t-21
            Sean Knapp, Oakmont—78-72-67-74—291, t-35
            Sean Brannan, Hollidaysburg—70-76-78-74—298, t-55
            Gregor Orlando, Erie—80-74-70-75—299, 58th
            Adam Hofmann, Pittsburgh—77-70-74-82—303, 62nd
 
           John Zack, Cresson—82-77-71-77—307. t64

The starting field was 69 players.

Amateur site featured in Sports Illustrated
Bedford Springs Resort, site of the West Penn Amateur, was covered extensively in a May article in Sports Illustrated as one of the country’s finest and most historic golf resorts. 
State titles taken by area amateurs
Arnold Cutrell, Greensburg, won the Jay Sigel Match Play Championship, and Paul Schlachter, Bridgeville, won the Senior Division of the Jay Sigel.  Both championships were played at Stonewall GC, in Elverson, May 12-14. 

Schlachter and Joe Cordaro, Nevillewood, won the Senior Better Ball at Toftrees Resort, in State College, June 2-3.  They shot 64-66—130 defeating another area team, John Benson, Punxsutawney, and Don Erickson, III, by four strokes.  

All three competitions were conducted by the Pennsylvania Golf Association.

Groft begins internship
USGA intern Harvin Groft, State College, began his duties with the Association on June 2, after completing his golf career at Penn State during the NCAA Championships played at Purdue University, May 28-31.  He is using the internship as his final course at PSU, and will graduate after completing his course work in August. 

Championships
David Finney, Championship Director (contact)
Blog:
33-7

Weather bothers championships
The wet spring has affected the Association’s championship schedule.  

The Tournament of Champions, scheduled for Nemacolin Woodlands Resort’s Mystic Rock Course on April 28, was postponed and played on June 2 with William Miller, Venetia, winning his fifth different WPGA competition to accompany his titles in the 2004 Boys, 2005 C.R. Miller Match Play, Junior, 2003-05, and the 2006 Amateur.  Miller carded 70-70—140, defeating Erie’s Ron Coleman by two strokes.

The USGA Open Local, scheduled on May 12 at Chestnut Ridge Resort’s Toms Run Course, was postponed two days, and finally completed on May 14.  Amateurs Nathan Smith, Oakmont and Mike VanSickle, Wexford, secured the two qualifying spots.  Weather was fine on May 13, but the course was still too wet.  USGA Qualifying Rounds are a bit more complicated in that the Local Rule for “lift, clean, and place” cannot be used.  Thus the course has to be dry enough to play the ball as it lies. 

The Interstate Challenge Match with Northern Ohio Golf Association at Totteridge was shortened from two rounds to one due to rain and wet conditions on May 20. 

Open Championship draws 150 entries
The West Penn Open at Butler, June 30-July 1, has a full or nearly full field with 150 entries, but qualifying rounds will not be necessary.  The Committee has yet to determine the starting field which will be decided the week of June 16.  Former champions entered are—Dan Thompson, ’07; Bob Friend, ’06; Roy Vucinich, five—’77, 78, ’86. ’93, ’05; Rick Stimmel, ’02;

Brent Johnson, ’00; John Aber, ’99; Jim Cichra, ’95; Arnold Cutrell, ’90; Chuck Scally, Jr., ’88, and Bob Ford, ’79.

Handicapping
Terry Teasdale, Handicap Director
(contact)
Blog - Handicapping Corner

Course Rating
The Association's Course Rating Program has begun and USGA Course Ratings and Slope Ratings have been released to five facilities--Edgewood Country Club (Red Tee only), Rolling Hills Country Club, St. Clair Country Club, St. Jude Golf Club, and Seven Oaks Country Club. Please click here for an update of completed ratings. We will be busy and expect to rate approximately 35 clubs this year. The WPGA will be taking over rating activities for the Erie District Golf Association and plan to rate 5 clubs starting next month.
Handicapping
With the publication of the USGA Handicap System 2008-2011 we started a new cycle for Handicap Certification and Club Licensing. All golf clubs wishing to use the USGA Handicap System must again have a representative of the club take the Certification program and successfully pass a quiz, and the club must also submit a Club Licensing application to the Association. The representative can attend a seminar conducted by the WPGA or the USGA, or take the course online at the USGA's website. We conducted three seminars this spring and will conduct an additional four in the fall.

Membership Development & Services
Jeff Rivard, Executive Director (contact)

New Member Clubs
Welcome to the following Member Clubs who have joined the Association this year—Duck Hollow, Uniontown; Pine Acres, Bradford; Pittsburgh Golfers Tour; Pittsburgh National, Gibsonia.

 

 
 

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