The Western Pennsylvania Golf Association finally held its first event of the season, and things went without a hitch.
The first of two qualifiers for the 120th Amateur Championship was held Monday at The Country Club of Meadville and Parker resident Mike Marron shot a 2-under par 70 to grab medalist honors.
Ryan Peters, a Saegertown native and junior-to-be at Mercyhurst, placed second at 1-under. Four players, including Leechburg native Matt Barto, were at even par.
The top eight finishers out of 50 qualified for the championship July 6-7 at Allegheny Country Club.
The other qualifiers were Butler Country Club’s Shawn Courson, the Kahkwa Club’s Zach Ford and The Country Club’s Ryan Ferry, all at even par, and Oakmont’s Carter Pitcairn and Kahkwa Club’s Patrick Kelly at 1-over.
The Pittsburgh Field Club’s Thomas Leech and Longue Vue Club’s Jack Wymard were a 2-over and the top two alternates.
There were 50 players that participated in the qualifier.
The second qualifier is Thursday at Hillcrest Country Club in Lower Burrell where 64 golfers will tee it up for 10 spots and two alternates.
The 2019 champion was Connor Schmidt of Venetia, who shot a 4-over 217, two shots better that Pittsburgh’s Jack Katarincic, Murrysville’s Palmer Jackson and Greensburg’s Mark Goetz, who were at 219.
Goetz was on the verge of winning the championship but hit his driver out of bounds on the final hole and surrendered the lead.
