Nick Turowski, Mark Goetz advance to U.S. Open final qualifier

When Nick Turowski plays golf, he likes to play fast.

There was a reason he was in a hurry Tuesday while playing at the U.S. Open local qualifier at Quicksilver Golf Club.

He had to catch a 4 p.m. flight out of Greater Pittsburgh International Airport with the West Virginia golf team, which was headed to Phoenix for the National Golf Invitational, which begins Friday.

Turowski used past success at Quicksilver to qualify for the final qualifier June 2. Turowski, a freshman at WVU and 2024 graduate of Penn-Trafford, shot a 2-under-par 70 to take one of the five qualifying spots.

He was joined by good friend, WVU alum and Hannastown Golf Club member Mark Goetz of Greensburg, who tied for low scorer with State College native and Millersville sophomore Tim Peters at 3-under.

The other qualifiers were Akron native Randy Dietz, who was 2-under, and Erie native Patrick Kelly.

Turowski is the reigning WPGA Junior champion. He wanted to use the vibe he had when he won the U.S. Junior qualifier when he shot 7-under.

“I got off to a really nice start,” Turowski said. “I never looked at the leaderboard until I saw finished, and I was shocked that I was first. That was good because I stayed aggressive.”

Turowski said he has slowed down a little by walking to his ball slower.

“I hate to wait,” Turowski said.

Turowski was 3-under through nine holes, then carded consecutive bogeys on Nos. 11 and 12.

“I missed an eight-foot putt for par on 11, and I almost hit it out of bounds on 12. But hit it close on No. 13 and made the putt for birdie, which calmed him down.

“I was talking to myself after the two bogeys,” Turowski said. “It means a lot to qualify. I’ve been dreaming about playing in the Open since 2016. Watching the pros I realized how good they are.”

Turowski said he’s learned a lot from Goetz.

“Mark paved the way for me through junior golf and college,” Turowski said. “I would not be the player or the person I am without Mark. You also learn a lot from the membership at Hannastown. There are so many great players.”

Goetz said going to a smaller drive has helped him keep the ball in the fairway.

“That move has definitely paid off,” Goetz said. “Moving on to the final qualifier is huge. I remember playing in the U.S. Amateur in 2021. It was a great experience. It was cool.”

Goetz was a medalist at the Amateur.

“I played well,” Goetz said. “That was a very memorable week. It feels like yesterday. It was also cool that Nick played so well.”

A couple of local players did not finish as they had hoped.

Plum’s Wes Lorish shot even-par 72 and was in an eight-way playoff for one of two alternate spots. Ryan Smith won the playoff.

Murrysville amateur Nolan Shilling and pro Palmer Jackson and Irwin’s Justin Moose were 3-over, Pine-Richland pro Michael Van Sickle and Central Catholic grad Carter Pitcairn were 4-over and New York Rangers and Coraopolis native J.T. Miller was 5-over.

“It was fun,” Miller said. “I’d rather be playing hockey. I was good to have my buddy and dad here hanging out. I do not compete much. I just try to learn from these great players.”

The first alternate was former Penguins minor leaguer Nick Sorkin.