Knapp's good deed toward Goetz lands both in Sunnehanna Amateur

Sometimes people who do good deeds reap great rewards.

Oakmont’s Sean Knapp is that person.

Knapp was part of the field for the 67th annual Sunnehanna Amateur at Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown. It would be his 28th consecutive appearance in the tournament.

But Knapp asked event co-chairman John Yerger for a favor: replace him in the field with Greensburg’s Mark Goetz. Goetz fell just short at the local qualifier a month ago.

“I called and told them that Mark deserved the spot more than me,” Knapp said. “I play against him a lot, and he’s always six shots better.”

Goetz got in, and he is more than thankful to Knapp.

“Sean and I have played a lot of golf together,” Goetz said. “He’s a great person.”

Knapp said Yerger told him he would enter Goetz with one condition: If a space opened up, he would accept the invitation.

Knapp got a call from Yerger when a couple of players withdrew.

“I’m happy,” Knapp said after playing in the Tri-State PGA Tam O’Shanter Open on Monday. “I’ve played in 28, and I really want to play in 30.”

Knapp and Goetz are two of seven golfers from Western Pennsylvania in the tournament, which features some of the top amateurs in the country. The others are Fox Chapel’s Gregor Meyer, Murrysville’s Palmer Jackson, Peters Township’s Connor Schmidt, Brookville’s Nathan Smith and New Castle’s Evan Long.

Goetz, Meyer, Jackson and Hunter Ostrom, who plays with Jackson at Notre Dame, played a practice round Monday.

“My game is in a good spot,” Goetz said. “I’ve had a chance to work on my game, and I’ve played in a lot of tournaments.

“I really don’t have many expectations. I love this golf course. It’s really good. I’m trying to develop a good gameplan and play well this week.”

Goetz also played a practice round Sunday. He said the course is difficult, especially when the rough is grown high and the greens are fast. During their practice round, the foursome spent extra time putting and chipping on the difficult greens.

“I feel it’s going to play a lot different than it did from the qualifier we played a few weeks ago,” Goetz said. “I played OK, four birdies and four bogeys. I’m looking forward to the competition.”

Goetz and Meyer played in the Pennsylvania Golf Association’s R. Jay Sigel Match play last week and played well in the qualifier. Goetz shot 7-under-par 65 at the Country Club of York and Meyer a 5-under 67. In the Pa. Open qualifier at Edgewood Country Club, Meyer shot a course-record 62 and Goetz a 64.

Jackson played in the 114th Southern Amateur last week. He said he learned a lot from the competition and how hard it is to play in 100-degree temperatures and wind. He said a groin injury has prevented him from practicing as much as he wants.

“The injury isn’t slowing me down except for practice,” Jackson said. “Golf isn’t all about physical. It’s more about mental. I’m trying to get the reps in and play in some tournaments and shoot low scores.

“I realized that golf is very hard, and Maridoe Golf Club was a very hard golf course. It’s one of the hardest courses I’ve ever played. My game held up OK, but I didn’t play great after the cut.

“I feel I’m ready to win this week. My game is getting there, and by the end of the week, it will be in good shape.”

Meyer said he is playing about as well as expected.

“I’m excited for this week,” Meyer said. “It’s my first time here. I’m hoping to have a good time and shoot low scores.”

Meyer and Long qualified for the tournament by shooting a 68 and 67, respectively.