Penn-Trafford grad Dan Obremski part of 'toughest field' for Fuhrer Invitational
Dan Obremski didn’t need to look at the field to know how tough the Frank B. Fuhrer Invitational, which begins Monday at Pittsburgh Field Club in Fox Chapel, will be this year.
After taking away the 15 spots normally reserved for Tri-State PGA professionals, Fuhrer was able to invite a stronger field to compete for the $40,000 first-place prize.
That’s when Penn-Trafford graduate knew it was a lot tougher.
The field of 40 golfers includes returning champion Dan McCarty, who won the Korn Ferry (formerly Web.com Tour) Savannah Golf Championship, and Trinity graduate Steve Wheatcroft — a PGA Tour member and two-time Web.com Tour winner. Korn Ferry Tour member Michael Gligic, former NHL player Jeremy Roenick and local amateurs Palmer Jackson (Franklin Regional/Notre Dame), Greensburg’s Mark Goetz (Kiski School/West Virginia) and Jimmy Meyers (Peters Township/Penn State) will be joining Obremski, who plays on the PGA LatinoAmerica Tour.
Making his first Fuhrer appearance is Norwin grad Justin Moose, last year’s World Long Drive runner-up.
“I was excited when I got the letter from Mr. Fuhrer,” Obremski said. “I’ve played in the event every year since 2013. This is the toughest field I’ve seen here. I’m looking forward to the competition.”
Obremski has yet to win the Fuhrer Invitational, but he’s been in contention.
“It’s a tournament I think I can win,” Obremski said. “You have to stay patient and not get bothered by a bad shot or bad round. It’s a long tournament, and you have to be confident in your ability.
“You have to be confident on every shot and, hopefully, you’ll get out. You stay out of your own way.”
Obremski said he’s learned a lot playing on the PGA LatinoAmerica Tour. He said it’s helped him prepare for the next level.
“You’re lucky if you get one day of rest,” Obremski said. “It’s more like what you’ll face on the PGA Tour. You have to figure out a way to get it done every day.”
Obremski played in five PGA LatinoAmerica Tour events, made the cut in three, and he made it through U.S. Open local qualifiers but came up short in the sectional.
He’s back in the states because the PGA LatinoAmerica Tour is off for a few weeks. His plan is to play in events around Pennsylvania.
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
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