For the past 37 seasons, the annual Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Invitational has grown into one of the top tournaments in Western Pennsylvania.
Many of golf’s up-and-coming players — professional and amateur — have battled for the coveted title at Pittsburgh Field Club in Fox Chapel.
But the 38th year of the tournament will be missing a key person: Fuhrer, who died May 21.
Also missing from the field of 40 is 2021 champion Chase Koepka, who defeated Patrick Flavin on the first playoff hole.
Among the players in the field are T.J. Howe, Mark Goetz, Eric Cole, Mike Van Sickle, Dan Obremski, Justin Moose and Spencer Mellon. The field is handpicked by Fuhrer.
And even past champions who decide to skip the tournament, Fuhrer easily replaced that player, and was never asked back.
The purse for the annual event has grown to $200,000, with the first-place pro getting $40,000.
“It’s a great event,” said Obremski, Irwin native and Penn-Trafford graduate. “It’s a great event, a great field and guaranteed money for the pros. It’s about time that I win it.”
Obremski has been in contention in previous years but has not been able to claim the top prize.
“I’m going to miss Mr. Fuhrer,” Obremski said after playing in the West Open last week at The Club at Nevillewood. “He was a great ambassador for the game of golf. I hope his family continues the event.
“The West Penn Open was a good warm-up. It was a tough course played under similar conditions we’ll see this week.”
Moose, who lives in Greensburg but played high school golf at Norwin, returns to the tournament. He’s known as a competitor in the “Long Drive” contests.
He knows his game has to be sharp if he wants to contend for the title.
“I had a rough final round at the West Penn Open,” Moose said. “I also didn’t putt well.”
Greensburg native and West Virginia grad Goetz said last month he was turning pro for the Fuhrer.
He played at the Sunnehanna Amateur two weeks ago and finished tied for fourth with four others at 3-under-par, 277. Goetz shot a 1-under 69 during the final round.
The tournament begins Monday at Pittsburgh Field Club. The field will play 36 holes Monday and then 18-hole rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday.
