2026 Art Wall Day 1 Recap

HOLIDAYSBURG, Pa. –  There are plenty of familiar names at the top of the leaderboard after a challenging first round of the Pennsylvania Golf Association’s (PAGA) 22^nd Art Wall Jr. Memorial Championship, contested this week at Scotch Valley Country Club. Jon Pratkanis (Butler Country Club) is the leader and only player under par with his round of 71 (-1). Pratkanis, who finished fifth in last year’s Art Wall Championship, birdied holes No. 2, 5, 14, and 16.

Three players are tied for second place with rounds of even-par 72 after Monday’s competition, including two that were involved in a playoff for last year’s title: defending champion Rick Stimmel (Connoquenessing Country Club) and Kevin Fajt (Hannastown Golf Club.) Sinking Valley Country Club’s Artie Fink is the third player who shot a 72 on Monday, while fifth place belongs to former Art Wall champ Eric Williams (73, +1) of Glenmarua National Golf Club, who won it back in 2021.

Stimmel, who has won two overall Art Wall titles (2022 and 2025) and three Senior division titles (2022, 2023, and 2025) birdied holes 5, 9, and 16 on Monday. Fajt, who has finished as Art Wall runner-up on five separate occasions (2018, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2025) birdied 9, 13, 14, and 16 on Monday. Fink birdied a trio of holes (5, 9, and 14) in the first round to earn his even-par round.

Pratkanis also leads the Pre-Senior (40-54) Division, followed by Fajt in second place and Williams in third. 

Stimmel and Fink are currently tied for the lead in the Senior (55-64) Division, with Brian Anthony (Toftrees Golf Resort) in third place with a 74 (+2).

Don Erickson III (Indiana Country Club) has opened up a three-stroke advantage in the Super Senior (65+) Division, shooting his own even-par 72 to pace the field. He birdied 12 and 15 on the back nine to get back to even after a pair of bogeys on the front nine.

A group of three Super-Senior players are still within three strokes heading into tomorrow’s round, with each shooting a 75 (+3): Bob Gill (Fox Hill Country Club), Jim Gavaghan (Spring Mill Country Club), and Michael Vassil (Country Club of Scranton).

Complete results from today’s action can be found here: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/12394186566027751390

Play continues tomorrow with the final round of competition, with tee times beginning at 9:00 a.m.

The Pennsylvania Golf Association would like to thank the staff and membership of Scotch Valley Country Club for the hospitality shown during today's rounds. Additional thanks go to DICK’S Sporting Goods for sponsorship of the event as the title sponsor of the PAGA.