Four advance to the semi-finals of the C.R. Miller Memorial Match Play Invitational
By Mike Dudurich • July 17, 2023
It was déjà vu all over again for the West Penn Golf Association’s C.R. Mller Match Play Invitational.
A year ago, weather played havoc at Latrobe Country Club, making it tough task to complete the 48th event on time. It took a while, but Wes Warden persevered and captured the title after a long day.
It looked like the same thing might have been in the offing at Indiana Country Club, site of the 2023 C.R. Miller. Played under cloudy and sometimes threatening skies, the first two rounds were right on schedule.
Until a siren sounded and play was halted at 3:05 and was suspended until 4:40. The competition was completed before even though two of the matches required playoffs to determine a winner.
Eight matches were played Monday morning to determine the quarterfinalists for the afternoon matches.
Indiana Country Club’s Trevor Todd needed four extra holes to knock off Griffin Hansberry; Wes Lorish of Plum ground out a tough win over Hunter Swidzinski of Old Stonewall, 3 & 2; Nicholas Turowski of Hannastown Golf Club overcame a tough opponent, Neil Joon of Valley Brook Country Club, 3 & 2; and Nolan Schilling of Oakmont Country Club beat Luke Gronbeck of Wildwood Golf Club, 1-up in 19 holes.
Those results set up the four players who will tee off at 8 and 8:10 a.m. to play in the afternoon finals.
“Both rounds started off slowly for some reason,” said Lorish. “It could have been better. I missed some birdie putts, but it worked out. I’m really excited about tomorrow.”
Part of his excitement might have come from how hot his putter emerged from the rain delay. He was four-under in the 12 holes after the break.
Turowski is playing in his third C.R. Miller and comes into the final day of play with a great deal of confidence.
“I think it was an advantage for me that I only had to play 18 holes today,” he said. “I’ll be fresh and ready to go in the morning. This round today was pretty special. 18 holes without stress. Tee to green was special. I didn’t miss any greens. I play well here. And for me, I don’t think I have to putt well to beat these guys. I love Indiana Country Club. This place is very good.”
ICC was indeed spectacular on Monday and while the drenching the course absorbed might slow it down a bit, expect it to be a true test when the boys tee it up at 8 this morning.
About the WPGA
Founded in 1899, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association is the steward of amateur golf in the region. Started by five Member Clubs, the association now has nearly 200 Member Clubs and 34,000 members. The WPGA conducts 14 individual competitions and 10 team events, and administers the WPGA Scholarship Fund and Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame.