It’s one of the most elite golf tournaments in Western Pennsylvania.
It features some of the top amateur players in the Pittsburgh area and some up-and-coming pros from across the country.
The 37th annual Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Invitational begins with two rounds Monday at Pittsburgh Field Club. The third round is Tuesday and final round is Wednesday.
Daniel McCarthy is the returning champion. He also won on 2018. Also in the field is three-time champion David Bradshaw (2012, ’15, and ’16).
Murrysville native and Franklin Regional product Palmer Jackson is playing in his fourth Fuhrer. Even though he hasn’t won, he looks forward to it.
“It’s a special event,” said Jackson, who recently played in the Northeast Amateur and Sunnehanna Amateur, where he placed fourth. “It gives me a chance to compete against the professionals and shows me what I have to work on.”
Jackson is part of a 40-player field. They will play two rounds Monday.
Other top amateurs in the event include: Gregor Meyer, Jimmy Meyers, Nathan Sutherland, Will Livingston and J.F. Aber. Area pros include Dan Obremski, Michael Van Sickle, Justin Moose, Tom Nettles, Spencer Mellon and Penn State golf coach T.J. Howe.
Jackson had another solid season at Notre Dame. After the college season, he and teammate Davis Chatfield reached the semifinals at the United States Golf Association’s Four-Ball Amateur Championship.
“I’m healthy,” Jackson said. “I could play last year, but I couldn’t practice the way I usually could.
“I’m looking forward to a good summer. The Fuhrer is always a competitive event, and the Field Club is a great course. I’m looking forward to playing well. To win it would be incredible.”
Jackson played well at Sunnehanna, especially his final two rounds when he shot a 6-under-par 64 and had nine birdies and followed with a 2-under 68 with six birdies.
He was making a charge during the final round until he double-bogeyed the par-3 10th hole.
“I tried to hit a hero shot,” Jackson said. “I couldn’t get up-and-down.”
He followed with three consecutive birdies but couldn’t overcome the double bogey.
“I missed a birdie on No. 18 during the third round,” Jackson said. “I was satisfied with the way I played. I hope to be in the running this week.”
The Fuhrer is an invitation-only event. For years, some of the top Tri-State Section PGA top players participated. Fuhrer brought in better players and now has an event, the Pittsburgh Open, for the Tri-State PGA pros.
