Rick Stimmel playing into the 18th green

What a first day of competition in the 92nd West Penn Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship!

For starters, nobody, yes, nobody, broke par. Thirty-five men above the age of 50 played 18 holes at Chartiers Country Club and the closest anyone finished to par was the leader, Rick Stimmel, who posted a one-over 71.

Seventeen seniors didn’t break 80 and those who did knew they had been in a battle when they walked off the 18th green.

Even Stimmel, who has had a terrific summer both regionally and nationally, had his moments.

He made bogeys on three of the first four holes and recovered with one birdie on the front nine to shoot 37. On the back, there were two two birdies and a bogey for a 34 that added up to a 71.

Team WPGA at Latrobe Country Club with the Palmer Cup

Both teams come into the Palmer Cup every year with clear and totally equal goals in mind.

The team of professionals from the Tri-State Section PGA wants to beat the West Penn Golf Association amateurs every time they tee it up.

And the WPGA team would like nothing better than to flex their muscles and knock off the guys who play golf for a living.

The event was held again at Latrobe Country Club, as it has been since 1996. While the man for whom the annual event is named was not present (Arnold Palmer), his spirit remains and is definitely felt by the competitors.

“They played well and we didn’t,” said John Aber, the golf professional at Allegheny Country Club after his team came up a few points short.

Neal Shipley with caddie, Carter Pitcairn, after winning his semi-final match in the U.S. Amateur. Photo courtesy of Back of the Range.

Neal Shipley is an unabashed free spirit. If you didn’t know him and were looking for clues to that, start with his hair. The long locks he wears are definitely those of a guy who marches to his own drummer.

Another clue can be found in how he attacks the game of golf. Yes, he "plays" golf, but with a definite attacking style. He’s a see-ball, hit-ball-hard kinda guy, but with the kind of finesse and touch required to win big amateur golf tournaments.

A native of St. Clair, resident of Mt. Lebanon, and graduate of Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Shipley has evolved into one of best elite amateurs in the country and shown that throughout what might go down as a one-of-a-summer on golf courses across the country.