Greenburg's Mark Goetz ready for Oakmont challenge at Pa. Open

Historic Oakmont Country Club has seen some memorable moments over the years.

There’s Johnny Miller’s final round 63 at the 1973 U.S. Open. The 175 sand bunkers and famous Church Pews. The nine U.S. Opens, five U.S. Amateurs, three PGA Championships and two U.S. Women’s Opens.

It also was the site of the final U.S. Open in 1994 the late Arnold Palmer played, and his tearful walk up to No. 18 green is something golf fans cherish.

Oakmont Country Club also can be the house of horrors. Just ask Greensburg native Mark Goetz.

During the final round of the West Penn Amateur in 2019, the West Virginia University golfer had a three-shot lead with four holes left.

But bogeys on Nos. 16 and 17 followed by an errant drive on No. 18 turned an exciting day into a disaster.

He ended up in a three-way tie for second place while Peters Township’s Connor Schmidt got to celebrate.

But Goetz is looking forward to returning to Oakmont, and this time he’s ready for the challenge.

He is among more than 30 amateurs and professionals from Western Pennsylvania entered in the 120-player field of the 104^th Pennsylvania Golf Association’s Open that begins on Monday.

The players will play 18 holes each Monday and Tuesday, and then the field will be reduced for Wednesday’s final round.

Goetz has played well this season and finally broke through with his first big win in more than five years by edging Irwin native Dan Obremski on Wednesday to win the West Penn Open at Shannopin Country Club.

The two players were tied heading to the final hole.

Goetz said he paused for a moment before hitting his tee shot on the final hole to reflect back a year ago to Oakmont.

“It made me focus a little more,” Goetz said. “I took a big swing and hit a great shot to within 115 yards of the green.”

A chip and a putt later, Goetz was celebrating a birdie that clinched the victory.

“I’ve learned a lot since that disappointment at Oakmont,” Goetz said. “I was happy to finally break through with a big victory. This is big for my confidence.”

But the Pennsylvania Open is loaded with outstanding players, including Obremski, Pittsburgh’s Rick Stimmel and Mike Van Sickle, Fox Chapel’s Gregor Meyer, Oakmont pro Devin Gee, Allegheny pro John Aber and Schmidt.

West Virginia golf coach Sean Covich was proud of what Goetz achieved.

“Mark has meant so much to our program these past three seasons,” Covich said. “He’s a great teammate and has developed into a leader for us. I am so happy for him because I know how much this tournament means to him.”

He is set to return to WVU this fall for his redshirt junior season after appearing in the Mountaineers lineup seven times in 2019-20.

Jackson heads west

Murrysville’s Palmer Jackson won’t be playing in the Pennsylvania Open.

That’s because the Notre Dame sophomore and 2019 Franklin Regional grad will be playing in the U.S. Amateur at Brandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore.

Jackson made the semifinals in 2019.

It’s back

The Tri-State PGA has brought back its amateur tournament.

The 18-hole event will be played Friday at Chartiers Country Club.

The last time the Tri-State held the amateur tournament was in 2012.

Executive Director David Wright said it will go to 36 holes in 2021.