GREENSBURG — Battling wet grounds and, at times, extremely heavy rains, 12 players earned the final spots in this year’s WPGA Mid-Amateur Championship on Thursday.
Leading the way at the third qualifying round for the championship was Allegheny Country Club’s Edward Maruca, who shot 6-under score of 66 to secure the top spot at Totteridge Golf Course.
Maruca benefitted from an evening break in the weather, which followed a series of strong downpours that flooded the Greensburg course and brought a halt to play in the late stages of the morning for over two hours.
Sitting at 1-under through his first nine holes, Maruca began to heat up alongside the weather in the evening, posting five birdies in his final nine holes for a mark of 31.
His score ended up four shots better than Shane Stewart of Edgewood Country Club and Derek Hayes of Sunnehanna Country Club, who saw more of the heavy rains during their earlier rounds and posted 2-under scores of 70.
Jeff Colon was 1-under — the only other player to end the day under par.
Also qualifying for the 41st WPGA Mid-Amateur Championship was Danny Remaley, who was even on the day. Brian Bartek, Trent Tipton, Brock Matava, David Degol and Neal Mechling were all 2-over, securing spots.
In a playoff, Erik Bertrand and Kevin Jack took the final two positions, while Barry Torau, Jeffrey Jenkins and Sam Wotus locked up the three alternate positions.
The 41st WPGA Mid-Amateur Championship is set for September 8 at Fox Chapel Golf Club, bringing together the region’s top players over the age of 25 for one of the premier events of the WPGA season.
For any media inquiries, please contact WPGA Director of Communications Josh Rowntree.
