Local golf notebook: Pittsburgh Open is on; WPGA back in business

While the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association was advised not to hold the Amateur Championship this past week, the Tri-State PGA received no advisory and continued to play after Allegheny County officials changed restrictions concerning group gatherings.

The Tri-State PGA did cancel three Isaly’s Junior Tournament events — at Valley Brook Country Club, Lone Pine Country Club and Grove City Country Club — as a precaution.

The Tri-State PGA held the Falling Rock Classic on Monday and Tuesday at Nemacolin Golf Resort in Fayette County, and it will hold the Pittsburgh Open on Monday and Tuesday at South Hills Country Club.

Butler’s Rob McClellan is the returning champ as professionals and amateurs play for a $10,000 prize. If an amateur wins, he will receive pro shop credit.

Westmoreland County Amateur tee times tomorrow! @BillBeckner @Schofield_Trib @westcountygolf pic.twitter.com/llshZormd3

— Craig Mankins (@craig_mankins) July 10, 2020

“We feel if it doesn’t affect the operations of a golf course, we can hold our tournament,” Tri-State PGA executive director David Wright said. “We’re following our covid-19 regulations.”

The WPGA is returning to operations after postponing the Amateur.

WPGA executive director Terry Teasdale said a West Penn Open qualifier Tuesday at Birdsfoot Golf Club in Armstrong County is on. The Open qualifier June 21 at Diamond Run Golf Club in Allegheny County is still on, and there are no plans on moving the site.

Teasdale said no new date for the Amateur has been decided.

Sunnehanna Amateur

The Sunnehanna Amateur, which was moved from June to July 21, recently held its local qualifier.

Evan Long of New Castle (Laurel/Minnesota) was the medalist with a 67.

Tying for second and qualifying were Peter Bradbeer (Bucknell), Gregor Meyer of Fox Chapel (High Point) and Stephen Cerbara (Drexel).

Murrysville’s Palmer Jackson (Franklin Regional/Notre Dame) is expected to play in the tournament, which features some of the top amateur players in the world.

Alex Smalley has won consecutive Sunnehanna Amateur titles, and 2016 winner Collin Morikawa was leading the PGA Workday Charity Open on Friday. He is three shots behind leader Justin Thomas heading into the final round Sunday.

Southern bound

A groin injury sidelined Jackson for about month this spring. It forced him to miss the Tri-State Open.

Now, Jackson is trying to regain the dominating form he displayed in 2019.

He participated in the Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Invitational, and now he is headed to Carrolton, Texas, to compete in the prestigious 114th annual Southern Amateur Championship.

Because of the coronavirus, Jackson wasn’t sure he would play in the tournament, which features former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

“I’m just trying to get back into shape,” Jackson said after the Fuhrer Invitational. “It was good to play, and I feel my game getting better.”

On Day 1 of the Fuhrer Invitational, players are given the choice to ride carts during the second round. Jackson declined the option because he knows future amateur events do not permit carts.

He finished the four rounds at 9-over-par.

The Southern Amateur is the start of a busy month for the Notre Dame sophomore.

He will play in the Sunnehanna Amateur, the Western Amateur on July 27 at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind., and the USGA Amateur on Aug. 10-16 at Brandon Dunes Golf Resort in Brandon, Ore.

This and that

Greensburg native and West Virginia junior Mark Goetz was one of four players to earn spot in the Pennsylvania Golf Association’s Open tournament.

Goetz shot 64 at Edgewood Country Club and finished second to Meyer, who shot a blistering 62. Pittsburgh’s Scott Bitar and Rick Stimmel tied for third with 67s.

The PAGA upcoming tournaments: July 27-29, the 107th annual Amateur at Lookaway Golf Club, Buckingham; Aug. 3-4, the 61st Senior Amateur at Stonewall, North Course, Elverson; Aug. 3-5, the 84th Women’s Amateur at Lebanon Country Club; and Aug. 10-12, the 104th Pa. Open at Oakmont Country Club.