Hofmann, Smith head Amateur Championship
VERONA, Pa.–Adam Hofmann of Fox Chapel GC and Nathan Smith of Pinecrest CC stand atop the 94th Amateur Championship scoreboard at 4-under par with tomorrow’s third and final round remaining. Hofmann and Smith posted rounds of 70 and 69, respectively, on Tuesday at Longue Vue Club (par 70, 6,633 yards) and sit a shot clear of Robert Rohanna of Nemacolin at Woodlands Resort. Brian Bergstol of Great Bear G&CC is alone in fourth place at 2-under par. John Popeck of The Club at Nevillewood and first-round leader Nathan Sutherland of Berkshire CC are 1 under.The cut for the low 40 players and ties fell at 9-over-par 149. The final 18 holes begin at 7:30 a.m. All players start on the first tee.
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Hofmann and Smith were only two of 10 competitors in the 121-player field to finish at even par or better in the second round. Scores were more than a half stroke higher as the putting greens firmed up under warm and sunny conditions. As a matter of fact, the scoring average jumped to 76.13 from 75.45.
The co-leaders both sighted local knowledge and patience in positioning themselves at the front of the pack.
Smith, 28, of North Hills, Pa., carded four birdies and three bogeys in posting the lone under-par round of the afternoon. "From playing here before I realized the greens were firm and fast," said Smith. "You had to be careful."
The 2003 U.S Middle-Amateur Champion hit a lob wedge from 70 yards to 10 feet on No. 4 (par 5, 553 yards) and lasered a 4-iron to six feet on the difficult fifth hole (par 3, 198 yards).
"It was as fast a six footer as you could ever have," said Smith, who is also a member at Wildwood GC. "I floated it out there and the side caught it."
Smith caught a bad break on No. 6 (par 4, 390 yards) when his drive landed in a divot and his approach spun back into a pitch mark to make the turn in 1-under par.
Another fantastic birdie on the treacherous 12th hole (par 3, 200 yards), a 5-iron to seven feet, and an 8-iron to 20 feet on No. 14 (par 4, 445 yards), pushed Smith to 3-under before a pair of hiccups on the final two holes dropped him into a tie for the lead.
On No. 17 (par 4, 470 yards), he failed to get up-and-down from the right greenside bunker and, on No. 18 (par 4, 471 yards), his approach from the thick rough rolled through the green.
"I actually played the holes the way I wanted to," said Smith. "Sometimes stuff happens."
Hofmann, a recent Fox Chapel High School graduate heading to Vanderbilt University next year, talked of "really working the ball on the golf course and knowing where to putt the ball on certain holes."
Hofmann started his round on No. 8 (par 5, 548 yards) with a bogey but wedged it to five feet on No. 13 (par 4, 334 yards) to get back to even. A three-putt on No. 15 (par 5, 540 yards) and an errant approach on No. 2 (par 4, 390 yards) resulted in two more bogeys before he finished in a flourish with three birdies in the final four holes.
He hit a 4-iron from 210 yards to the front of the green and got up-and-down on No. 4 (par 5, 553 yards); made a good bogey on No. 5 (par 3, 198 yards) after blocking his 6-iron into the right trees and being forced to chip out sideways; hit a pitching wedge to 10 feet on No. 6 (par 4, 390 yards) and almost spun a lob wedge in for eagle from 70 yards on No. 7 (par 4, 323 yards).
"Being in this environment is good for me," said Hofmann, 18. "This is what I train for. It’ll be exciting."
Sutherland, who equaled the course record of 63 in the first round, carded a 6-over 76. Defending champion Chad Bricker of Waynesboro CC missed the cut.
|
Player, club |
Rd. 1 |
Rd. 2 |
Total |
|
Adam Hofmann, Fox Chapel Golf Club |
66 |
70 |
136 |
|
Nathan Smith, Pinecrest Country Club |
67 |
69 |
136 |
|
Robert Rohanna, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort |
70 |
67 |
137 |
|
Brian W Bergstol, Great Bear Golf & Country Club |
68 |
70 |
138 |
|
Nathan Sutherland, Berkshire Country Club |
63 |
76 |
139 |
|
John Popeck, The Club at Nevillewood |
72 |
67 |
139 |
|
Travis Howe, Corey Creek Golf Club |
69 |
71 |
140 |
|
Arnie Cutrell, Totteridge Golf Club |
68 |
72 |
140 |
|
Mike Van Sickle, Treesdale Golf & Country Club |
73 |
68 |
141 |
|
Chris Gallagher, Penn Oaks Golf Club |
71 |
70 |
141 |
|
Cody Kersey, Pine Meadows Golf Complex |
67 |
75 |
142 |
|
Sean Knapp, Longue Vue Club |
70 |
72 |
142 |
|
Stephen Arnold, Yardley Country Club |
69 |
73 |
142 |
|
Timothy J Moynihan, Willowbrook Country Club |
68 |
74 |
142 |
|
Zachary Drescher, Conestoga Country Club |
71 |
72 |
143 |
|
Adam Cohan, The ACE Club |
71 |
72 |
143 |
|
Jarred Texter, Lancaster Country Club |
73 |
70 |
143 |
|
Artie Fink, Jr., Sinking Valley Country Club |
73 |
70 |
143 |
|
Cole Willcox, Philadelphia Country Club |
72 |
71 |
143 |
|
Frank Fairman, Totteridge Golf Club |
70 |
74 |
144 |
|
Jason Cohan, The ACE Club |
74 |
70 |
144 |
|
Conrad Von Borsig, Concord Country Club |
71 |
73 |
144 |
|
David Brown, St. Clair Country Club |
70 |
74 |
144 |
|
Daniel Obremski, Hannastown Golf Club |
72 |
72 |
144 |
|
Cameron Peterson, PGA Individual Member |
73 |
72 |
145 |
|
Scott Phillis, The Country Club |
69 |
76 |
145 |
|
Matthew Rebitch, Hannastown Golf Club |
72 |
73 |
145 |
|
Zach Smith, Doylestown Country Club |
77 |
69 |
146 |
|
James Bohn, Bucknell Golf Club |
74 |
72 |
146 |
|
Timothy L Hager, Lookaway Golf Club |
70 |
76 |
146 |
|
Donald Thomas, Edgewood Country Club |
74 |
73 |
147 |
|
Chad N Warmbein, Rolling Hills Country Club |
73 |
74 |
147 |
|
Les Neilly, Edgewood Country Club |
71 |
76 |
147 |
|
Darryn DeShong, Majestic Ridge CC |
74 |
73 |
147 |
|
John Brennan, Spring Ford Country Club |
71 |
77 |
148 |
|
Clayton Rotz, Chambersburg Country Club |
74 |
74 |
148 |
|
Stephen Dressel, Spring Ford Country Club |
75 |
73 |
148 |
|
Eric Fonner, Huntingdon Valley Country Club |
75 |
73 |
148 |
|
James Kania, Jr, Overbrook Golf Club |
73 |
76 |
149 |
|
Brian P. Gillespie, St. Davids Golf Club |
74 |
75 |
149 |
|
Robert B Voltz, St. Jude Golf Club |
76 |
73 |
149 |
|
Jon Merriott, PGA Individual Member |
72 |
77 |
149 |
|
Patrick Serfass, Susquehanna Valley Country Club |
74 |
75 |
149 |
|
Failed to qualify |
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|
Bennett Boyer, Country Club of Harrisburg |
73 |
77 |
150 |
|
John Sweeney, Lancaster Country Club |
73 |
77 |
150 |
|
Aaron Williams, Willowbrook Country Club |
77 |
73 |
150 |
|
Robert Galbreath, Jr., Huntingdon Valley Country Club |
75 |
75 |
150 |
|
Chad Bricker, Waynesboro Country Club |
75 |
75 |
150 |
|
Christopher Schultz, Schuylkill Country Club |
73 |
77 |
150 |
|
Chase A Duncan, Meadia Heights Golf Club |
74 |
76 |
150 |
|
Gregor A Orlando, The Kahkwa Club |
74 |
76 |
150 |
|
Brett Diakon, Commonwealth National Golf Club |
73 |
78 |
151 |
|
James M. Gardas, Honesdale Golf Club |
78 |
73 |
151 |
|
Ronald DeNunzio, Latrobe Country Club |
73 |
78 |
151 |
|
Jimmy Markovitz, The Club at Nevillewood |
76 |
75 |
151 |
|
Kyle Davis, Inniscrone Golf Club |
75 |
76 |
151 |
|
Matthew E. Mattare, Saucon Valley Country Club |
74 |
77 |
151 |
|
Dominic Schiavone, The ACE Club |
76 |
75 |
151 |
|
Andrew R Rickard, The ACE Club |
77 |
74 |
151 |
|
Kevin Reiber, Penn National Golf Club |
79 |
72 |
151 |
|
William Miller, St. Clair Country Club |
74 |
77 |
151 |
|
Kevin McCarthy, Hannastown Golf Club |
74 |
77 |
151 |
|
Philip Bartholomew, Yardley Country Club |
77 |
75 |
152 |
|
Kevin R. Melnick, Jr., Plymouth Country Club |
75 |
77 |
152 |
|
Michael J. Gross, Glenmaura National Golf Club |
72 |
80 |
152 |
|
Brian Belden, Jr., Brookside C.C. of Allentown |
75 |
77 |
152 |
|
Tyler Brewington, Mill Race Golf Course |
76 |
76 |
152 |
|
Mike Lintelman, Sewickley Heights Golf Club |
80 |
72 |
152 |
|
Jim Rattigan, Schuylkill Country Club |
76 |
76 |
152 |
|
Daniel Charen, Yardley Country Club |
75 |
77 |
152 |
|
Sasha Bozic, Honesdale Golf Club |
78 |
75 |
153 |
|
Donald Dubyak, Hannastown Golf Club |
76 |
77 |
153 |
|
Kevin Farrell, Country Club of Harrisburg |
77 |
76 |
153 |
|
James Bryan, Latrobe Country Club |
76 |
77 |
153 |
|
John Michael Pelet, Wyncote Golf Club |
78 |
75 |
153 |
|
Mark D. Miller, Yardley Country Club |
76 |
77 |
153 |
|
Brixton Albert, Meadia Heights Golf Club |
73 |
80 |
153 |
|
R. Scott Pugh, Blue Ridge Country Club |
74 |
79 |
153 |
|
Bo Maguire, Brookside Country Club |
77 |
77 |
154 |
|
Jason Loehrs, Philadelphia Publinks GA |
78 |
76 |
154 |
|
Mike J Serensits, Willow Brook Golf Course |
74 |
81 |
155 |
|
Eric Williams, Honesdale Golf Club |
76 |
79 |
155 |
|
Don H Erickson III, Indiana Country Club |
80 |
75 |
155 |
|
Ryan J Gelrod, Commonwealth National Golf Club |
75 |
80 |
155 |
|
Mark Coassolo, Berkleigh Country Club |
80 |
75 |
155 |
|
P. Chet Walsh, Philadelphia Country Club |
73 |
82 |
155 |
|
Doug Stadler, Treesdale Golf & Country Club |
78 |
78 |
156 |
|
Alexander Maguire, Jr., Philadelphia Cricket Club |
80 |
76 |
156 |
|
Rick Bojalad, First Tee of Greater Pittsburgh Golf Club |
79 |
77 |
156 |
|
Ken R Matt, Commonwealth National Golf Club |
76 |
80 |
156 |
|
Brian Corbett, Huntsville Golf Club |
72 |
84 |
156 |
|
Doug P Marcincin, Northampton Country Club |
76 |
80 |
156 |
|
Barry Erenrich, The Club at Nevillewood |
80 |
77 |
157 |
|
Matt M. Dolinsky, Honeybrook Golf Club |
79 |
78 |
157 |
|
Gregg A. Hostetter, Meadia Heights Golf Club |
79 |
78 |
157 |
|
Glenn Smeraglio, Yardley Country Club |
82 |
75 |
157 |
|
Jonathan Pepe, Youghiogheny Country Club |
78 |
79 |
157 |
|
Stanley Namola, Seven Oaks Country Club |
82 |
75 |
157 |
|
Russell G West, Meadia Heights Golf Club |
80 |
78 |
158 |
|
David Figura, Woodstone Golf Club |
75 |
83 |
158 |
|
Jeffrey L Griest, Waynesborough Country Club |
82 |
76 |
158 |
|
Jacob W Pleczkowski, Saucon Valley Country Club |
78 |
80 |
158 |
|
Drew Panebianco, Talamore at Oak Terrace Country Club |
79 |
79 |
158 |
|
Michael Domenick, Phoenixville Country Club |
75 |
85 |
160 |
|
Brock A Christine, Susquehanna Valley Country Club |
82 |
78 |
160 |
|
Shane Miller, Hannastown Golf Club |
82 |
78 |
160 |
|
Edward H. Knoll, Deer Run Golf Club |
80 |
80 |
160 |
|
Sean P Hirschler, Glen Oak Country Club |
80 |
81 |
161 |
|
Mark Yost, Penn National Golf Club |
79 |
83 |
162 |
|
Justin Masters, Glen Oak Country Club |
80 |
83 |
163 |
|
Chris G. Esbenshade, Meadia Heights Golf Club |
82 |
81 |
163 |
|
Jason Barkley, Huntsville Golf Club |
87 |
76 |
163 |
|
Brendan Borst, Hickory Heights Golf Club |
76 |
88 |
164 |
|
Adam Layden, Culbertson Hills Golf Resort |
87 |
77 |
164 |
|
Ross Pringle, Cross Creek Resort |
86 |
81 |
167 |
|
David F Gedris, Churchill Valley Country Club |
88 |
79 |
167 |
|
Matt Ehrlich, Meadowlands Country Club |
85 |
85 |
170 |
|
Frank J Milsak, Montour Heights Country Club |
84 |
86 |
170 |
|
Bill Gropp, McCall Golf & Country Club |
90 |
81 |
171 |
|
Nicholas Bellisario, Rolling Green Golf Club |
81 |
93 |
174 |
|
David DeNunzio, Latrobe Country Club |
70 |
DQ |
DQ |
|
Michael McDermott, Merion Golf Club |
75 |
WD |
WD |
|
John Rodney, Diamond Run Golf Club |
78 |
WD |
WD |
|
WD-withdrawal; DQ-disqualification |
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