If Connor Schmidt is looking to defend his West Penn Amateur, the Peters Township native got off to a good start.
Schmidt, a senior at Drexel, shot a 4-under-par 66 on Monday at Allegheny Country Club and holds a 1-shot lead over Bethel Park’s Darin Kowalski and Greensburg’s Brian Fajt. Both shot 3-under 67 at 120th West Penn Amateur.
Kowalski won the Pittsburgh Open earlier this season.
Schmidt earned the title last year when Greensburg’s Mark Goetz turned a four-shot lead with four holes left into a loss. Goetz was unable to play this year because he’s returned to college at West Virginia.
Schmidt’s round included six birdies and two bogeys. Kowalski also had six birdies, and Fajt had four.
The West Penn Amateur originally was scheduled for July 6-7 but was postponed because of covid-19 concerns.
Three players are tied for fourth at 1-under 69: Peters Township’s Alec Stopperich and Jimmy Ellis and Ryan Peters of The Country Club (Meadville).
The field of 44 will play the final round Tuesday.
Oakmont native Sean Knapp, who won the Westmoreland County Senior Amateur on Sunday, shot a 77.
Pittsburgh’s Rick Stimmel, whose also has had a solid summer, is tied for 10th at 1-over.
