Local golf notebook: Ellis, Li, Huber qualify for U.S. Open Sectional

Peters Township’s Jimmy Ellis shot a 3-under-par 67 to take medalist honors Wednesday at the USGA local qualifier May 5 at Butler Country Club.

Ellis and three others qualify for the U.S. Open Sectional on June 7.

Others to qualify were Carnegie Mellon teammates Jason Li and Benjamin Huber, both with even-par 70s.

A playoff for the fourth spot was between Butler’s Rob McClellan and Upper St. Clair’s Louis Olsakovsky. Olsakovsky earned the final spot on the second playoff hole. McClellan is the first alternate, and Pine-Richland grad Mike Van Sickle is the second alternate.

The 121st U.S. Open begins June 17 at Torrey Pines Golf Club in San Diego.

This is the second time the U.S. Open will be at Torrey Pines. The last time was in 2008, when Tiger Woods made a birdie to tie Greensburg native Rocco Mediate. Woods then defeated Mediate in a 19-hole playoff Monday.

Ohio U assistant earns spot in Open

Ohio University assistant coach Allie White shot a 5-under 137 to win the USGA’s Women’s Open qualifier at Shannopin Country Club on May 4.

The Kentucky sophomore earned the other spot by shooting a 1-under 141 and edging out Waynesburg grad Rachel Rohanna Virgili in a playoff. Rohanna Virgili is the first alternate. LPGA player Marissa Steen was the second alternate. She shot an even-par 142.

Peters Township grad advances

Every golfer’s dream is to play in the U.S. Open.

Oregon senior and Peters Township grad Jake Sollon’s dream stayed live April 29 at the Pines Country Club in Morgantown, W.Va., as he won the USGA local qualifier.

Sollon, who transferred from Rider, shot a 2-under 69 to take top honors. Elliott Greyson of Shelby, N.C., earned the other qualifying spot in a playoff. He shot a 1-under par 70 and edged Phillip Reale of Hurricane, W.Va.

Other local golfers who participated included: Washington’s John Popeck (72), Belle Vernon’s Kirby Manown III (73) and Bethel Park’s Jeffrey Schmigel (79).

Marsico captured Dr. Aber Memorial

Amateur Michael Marsico of Aspinwall shot a 3-under 70 to won the Tri-State PGA Section Dr. John Aber Memorial Golf Classic May 4 at Allegheny Country Club.

The tournament was shortened to one day because of inclement weather.

Amateur Brett Young of Bethel Park finished second by shooting a 2-under 68, and the top pro was Mike Frisina of Carnegie and Top-Golf, who finished third at 1-under 69.

Tying for fourth were amateurs Alec Stopperich of Venetia and Matt Barto of Leechburg, each shooting an even-par 70.

Turcovski wins Isaly’s Junior event

Penn-Trafford senior Alex Turcovski shot a 3-over 75 to take top honors at the Tri-State PGA Isaly’s Junior tournament at Tam O’Shanter Golf Course in the Boys 17-18 division.

Glenshaw’s Wes Warden was second with a 77, Franklin Regional’s Michael Wareham was third with a 78, Gibsonia’s Nolan Kummer shot an 81 and Greensburg’s Ben Ritenour was fifth with a 82.

Mars’ Ryan Steigerwald was first in the boys 15-16 division with a 77. Pittsburgh’s David Fuhrer II and Christian Harhai tied for second with a 79.

Coraopolis’ Nico Ward took top honors in the boys 11-14 division with an 83. Sewickley’s Ethan Dai and Pittsburgh’s Mike Quallich were tied for second with an 85.

The overall winner and girls 16-18 division winner was Erie’s Natalie Brosig with a 74. Mt. Lebanon’s Lindsey Powanda was second with an 82, and Grove City’s Emily Donahue was third with an 85.

The girls 11-16 division winner was West Middlesex’s Kate Sowers with an 80. Greenville’s Joey Stern was second with an 81.

Westmoreland County Golf Association

Here’s a look at the 2021 Westmoreland County Amateur Golf Schedule.

May 29: 3-man Scramble at The Madison Club; June 10: Junior Amateur at Latrobe Country Club; June 12: Better Ball at Greensburg Country Club; July 10-11: Amateur at Hannastown Golf Club; July 24: Francis Driscoll Parent/Child Scramble at Mt. Odin Park; Aug. 27: Senior Amateur at Latrobe Elks.

Entry information can be found at westcountygolf.com and at all tournament locations.

Upcoming this week

May 10-11: Pennsylvania Golf Association’s 1st Senior Open Championship at Lehigh Country Club; May 10: Tri-State PGA Pro-3 Amateur at Green Oaks Country Club; May 10: WPGA Senior Series #1 at Diamond Run Golf Club; May 15: Tri-State PGA Isaly’s Junior Golf at Oakbrook Country Club.