Strong field looks to dethrone defending champion Hofmann at
95^th Amateur Championship

  The Pennsylvania Golf Association heads east to Bethlehem, Pa., on Monday for the 95^th edition of the Amateur Championship at historic Saucon Valley Country Club, site of the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open.

  A field of 129 players will compete over two rounds and 36 holes at the club’s Old Course before a cut to the low 40 players and ties for day three. The championship runs from July 28-30 and final round is 18 holes.

Adam Hoffman (left) with Mark Studer, Pennsylvania Golf Association Past President.

  Adam Hofmann of Fox Chapel GC looks to defend his title after he laid claim to last year’s championship at a tremendously difficult Longue Vue Club with a spectacular finish.

  The 19-year-old from Pittsburgh, Pa., played the demanding final three holes in 1-under par to complete the grueling three days and 54 holes in 2-under-par 208.

  "This is a dream for me," said Hofmann last year, when asked what it’s like to see his name on the trophy with legendary past champions like Buddy Marucci and Jay Sigel. "I have a long way to go to catch those guys but it gives me incentive to keep working hard. This is what you work for."

  The sophomore-to-be at Vanderbilt University will definitely have some work to do in this year’s contest as a slew of the state’s top players will be gunning to dethrone him.

  Some of those players include Nathan Smith of Pinecrest CC who was a co-leader with Hofmann last year after the first two rounds. Smith, the 2002 Amateur Champion, finished a shot back in second place.

  Nathan Sutherland, a talented 19-year-old out of Golden Oaks GC, could also be in the mix to take the title from Hofmann. Sutherland, last year’s first-round leader, finished tied for third with an even-par score of 210.

  Home track hopefuls Matthew Mattare and Thomas Bartolacci, Jr., both of Saucon Valley CC, hope to ride their local knowledge to a win, while 2007 Open Champion Mike Van Sickle of Treesdale G&CC and the DeNunzio twins (David and Ronald) of Latrobe CC could get in their way.

  And let’s not forget about the young guns in 2008 Junior Champion Gregor Orlando of The Kahkwa Club, 2007 Junior Champion Robert Galbreath, Jr., of Huntingdon Valley CC and Robert Robertson of Sunnybrook GC, who could all make a push for the Amateur crown.

  This year marks the first time Saucon Valley CC hosts the Pennsylvania Golf Association Amateur Championship.

  Spectators are welcome.

  The Amateur Championship is open to any male amateur golfer who is a member of a club belonging to the Pennsylvania Golf Association or an individual member of the Pennsylvania Golf Association and who have a USGA Handicap Index of 7.4 or lower.

---

  Created in 1909 with the intention of promoting the interests of golf throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Golf Association (PGA) is the authoritative body of amateur golf in the state. The Association’s focus is to promote growth, preserve traditions and protect the integrity of the game through its competitions and member services. The Association’s individual members and 300 Member Clubs are spread across the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

[ Back ]