Dan Obremski fends off rain to share WPGA Open lead

Dan Obremski has never won the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association’s Open title.

The Penn-Trafford grad and native of Irwin has been low pro before in the event, which is in its 121st edition, but an amateur took the overall title from him.

One thing he didn’t expect during the first round was rain.

Obremski fought off a light drizzle during the back nine of the first round Monday at Indiana Country Club and finds himself in a three-way tie with two amateurs — Pittsburgh’s Gregory Meyer and Hickory’s Scott Jordan — at 3-under-par 68 after carding seven birdies.

Four players are at 2-under. They are Sewickley’s Easton Renwick, Glengarry’s Talon Kriebel, Wexford’s Mike Van Sickle and Peters Township’s Jake Sollon.

“I played the final nine holes in the rain,” said Obremski, who now lives in West Palm Beach. “I forgot my umbrella and rain gear. I played steady. I had a bunch of birdies, and I stayed patient.”

Greensburg’s Kevin Fajt was 6-under through eight holes, but he struggled in the rain. He finished two shots back at 1-under 70. He is tied for eighth with Peters Township’s Alec Stopperich, Mars’ Anthony Muscato and Clinton’s Stephen Markovitz.

“I had rain gear. I just don’t play well in the rain,” Fajt said. “Overall I was pleased with the way I played. I had a bad bogey on 11.”

Fajt had four birdies (Nos. 1, 2, 6 and 8) and an eagle 3 on No. 5 when he hit it to five feet.

Three shots back at even par are Sewickley’s J.F. Aber, Pittsburgh’s Beau Titsworth, Butler’s Rob McClellan and Pittsburgh’s Jacob Phrampus. Titsworth is the returning champion.

The second round will be Tuesday with the field being cut to 32 golfers and ties for the final round Wednesday.