*History
Huntingdon Valley CC’s Andrew Mason takes
98th Pennsylvania Amateur Championship
LANCASTER, Pa.–It’s been a life altering – golf wise – eight days for Andrew Mason of Huntingdon Valley CC.Fresh off a smashing triumph in the 103rd Golf Association of Philadelphia Open Championship, the 22-year-old Huntingdon Valley, Pa. resident added the 98th Pennsylvania Golf Association Amateur Championship sponsored by Penn National Insurance title to his rapidly rising profile on Wednesday. Mason entered the third and final round at an extremely challenging Lancaster CC (par 70, 6,850 yards) two strokes behind leader Adam Hofmann of Fox Chapel GC. He closed the 54-hole event at even par, finishing with a third-round best 1-over 71 on a day when an astounding 77.3 was the scoring average. Thick rough and quick green speeds resulted in brutal conditions.
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“It’s hard to put it in perspective right now,” said the soft-spoken Mason. “Obviously it’s the best week of my golfing career. It’s really just an honor. I’m really happy.”
On a day when bogeys reigned and pars were the score du jour, Mason skyrocketed to the front with a remarkable front side 2-under 33, five better than the average. He birdied No. 2 (par 4, 377 yards) from a foot after punching an 8-iron on from 152 yards; hit a 105-yard sand wedge to three feet on No. 5 (par 4, 392 yards) and two putted from 30 feet on No. 7 (par 5, 529 yards). Mason held a three-stroke lead over Hoffman, his closest pursuer with nine holes to play.
The outcome, however, became a bit unclear as the field traversed the backside.
Mason miscues on Nos. 11 (par 4, 478 yards) and 12 (par 3, 181 yards) dropped the former Temple University standout to 1 under. Meanwhile, Burkhart, who stood at 1-over after 45 holes, birdied Nos. 12 and 13 (par 5, 517 yards) to move into challenging position. It became clear the Amateur trophy would wind up with one of these two.
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“When I made that putt I’d be lying if I didn’t say maybe it’s meant to be,” said Burkhart, 20, of Lancaster, Pa. and a junior at Messiah College. “It almost felt like it was fate. I still had two difficult holes to go though.”
Mason found the 18th (par 4, 470 yards) green with an approach that stopped 50 feet left of the hole before Burkhart hit on No. 17 (par 3, 182 yards). Facing a treacherous and unstoppable downhill putt, Mason left himself a 20-foot comebacker, which fell dead in the heart, to finish at level par. Burkhart, in the meantime, flared his 6-iron into the right greenside bunker, knocked his sand shot out to 15 feet and missed the par save. On No. 18, Burkhart came up just a couple yards short of the green with his 7-iron from 190 yards out in the left rough. His chip stopped three feet short to make Mason’s coronation official.
The key to Mason’s meteoric rise seems pretty simple.
“Keeping my focus and playing pretty conservative,” said Mason.
For most of the day, he made it look that easy.
|
Name, club |
Rnd 1 |
Rnd 2 |
Rnd 3 |
Total |
|
Andrew J. Mason, Huntingdon Valley Country Club |
70 |
69 |
71 |
210 |
|
Matthew E. Burkhart, Meadia Heights Golf Club |
68 |
70 |
73 |
211 |
|
Adam Hofmann, Fox Chapel Golf Club |
67 |
70 |
76 |
213 |
|
Anthony D. DeGol, Scotch Valley Country Club |
68 |
71 |
75 |
214 |
|
Michael P. McDermott, Merion Golf Club |
70 |
68 |
78 |
216 |
|
Sean R. Knapp, St. Jude Golf Club |
72 |
71 |
74 |
217 |
|
Nicholas Reach, Glenmaura National Golf Club |
68 |
74 |
75 |
217 |
|
Jeff Osberg, Llanerch Country Club |
69 |
75 |
74 |
218 |
|
Ross P. Pringle, The Country Club of Meadville |
71 |
72 |
75 |
218 |
|
Eric W. Williams, Honesdale Golf Club |
69 |
72 |
77 |
218 |
|
Brandon M. Matthews, Fox Hill Country Club |
70 |
75 |
74 |
219 |
|
Matt Moot, Windber Country Club |
74 |
69 |
76 |
219 |
|
Gregor A. Orlando, The Kahkwa Club |
75 |
71 |
74 |
220 |
|
Arnie Cutrell, Greensburg Country Club |
71 |
73 |
76 |
220 |
|
Nelson A. Hargrove, Merion Golf Club |
72 |
75 |
74 |
221 |
|
Jim B. Markovitz, The Club at Nevillewood |
74 |
71 |
76 |
221 |
|
Greg Jarmas, Philadelphia Publinks GA |
72 |
73 |
77 |
222 |
|
James Kania, Jr., Overbrook Golf Club |
70 |
73 |
79 |
222 |
|
Scott McLaughlin, Commonwealth National Golf Club |
70 |
73 |
79 |
222 |
|
Nathan Sutherland, Oakmont Country Club |
70 |
78 |
74 |
222 |
|
Michael R. Brown, Lookaway Golf Club |
73 |
74 |
75 |
222 |
|
C.G. Mercatoris, IV, Pinecrest Country Club |
69 |
75 |
79 |
223 |
|
David DeNunzio, Greensburg Country Club |
72 |
75 |
77 |
224 |
|
Zachary C. Herr, Jericho National Golf Club |
74 |
74 |
76 |
224 |
|
Craig J. Hornberger, Lancaster Country Club |
72 |
74 |
78 |
224 |
|
Michael Kania, Overbrook Golf Club |
71 |
74 |
79 |
224 |
|
Tucker Koch, RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve |
67 |
78 |
79 |
224 |
|
Greg Podufal, Lake Shore Country Club |
72 |
74 |
78 |
224 |
|
Ben B. Boyle, Longue Vue Club |
74 |
74 |
76 |
224 |
|
Ross Brown, Huntsville Golf Club |
73 |
76 |
75 |
224 |
|
Spencer R. Mellon, Oakmont Country Club |
75 |
70 |
80 |
225 |
|
Justin P. Miller, Oakmont Country Club |
72 |
78 |
75 |
225 |
|
Cory M. Siegfried, Philadelphia Country Club |
69 |
79 |
77 |
225 |
|
William R. Miller, St. Clair Country Club |
74 |
72 |
80 |
226 |
|
Brandon Dalinka, PGA Individual Member |
74 |
74 |
79 |
227 |
|
David W. Pompey, Jr., Country Club of Scranton |
74 |
74 |
81 |
229 |
|
Jason D. Sauder, Lancaster Host Golf Resort |
76 |
74 |
81 |
231 |
|
Jeff L. Frazier, Carlisle Country Club |
76 |
74 |
81 |
231 |
|
Stephen Seiden, Llanerch Country Club |
74 |
75 |
82 |
231 |
|
Ian P. Bangor, Sewickley Heights Golf Club |
74 |
75 |
82 |
231 |
|
David Shields, Philadelphia Publinks GA |
78 |
72 |
82 |
232 |
|
John A. Brennan, Spring Ford Country Club |
74 |
73 |
85 |
232 |
|
Joe Bevevino, Huntsville Golf Club |
74 |
75 |
84 |
233 |
|
Glenn Smeraglio, PGA Individual Member |
72 |
78 |
WD |
WD |
|
Failed to qualify |
Rnd 1 |
Rnd 2 |
Total |
|
|
David L. Denlinger, Lancaster Country Club |
69 |
82 |
151 |
|
|
Zak Drescher, Lancaster Country Club |
73 |
78 |
151 |
|
|
Grant M. Martens, Wildwood Golf Club |
76 |
75 |
151 |
|
|
Patrick D. Ross, Elmhurst Country Club |
75 |
76 |
151 |
|
|
Nicholas D. Tornetta, Chambersburg Country Club |
76 |
75 |
151 |
|
|
David Brown, St. Clair Country Club |
72 |
79 |
151 |
|
|
Daniel R. Charen, Makefield Highlands Golf Club |
68 |
83 |
151 |
|
|
JD Dornes, Meadia Heights Golf Club |
76 |
76 |
152 |
|
|
Nicolas Milito, Greensburg Country Club |
73 |
79 |
152 |
|
|
Christopher Storck, Moselem Springs Golf Club |
73 |
79 |
152 |
|
|
Bobby Svigals, Radnor Valley Country Club |
73 |
79 |
152 |
|
|
P. Chet Walsh, Philadelphia Country Club |
74 |
78 |
152 |
|
|
Chris G. Esbenshade, Bent Creek Country Club |
77 |
76 |
153 |
|
|
Stephen L. Hudacek III, Glenmaura National Golf Club |
77 |
76 |
153 |
|
|
Scott J. McNeil, Philadelphia Publinks GA |
75 |
78 |
153 |
|
|
Christopher L. Schultz, Schuylkill Country Club |
76 |
77 |
153 |
|
|
Jon E. Thomas, Pittsburgh Field Club |
76 |
77 |
153 |
|
|
Alex Urrea, The Club at Nevillewood |
76 |
77 |
153 |
|
|
Christopher Crawford, Spring Mill Country Club |
75 |
78 |
153 |
|
|
Jeffrey L. Griest, Waynesborough Country Club |
75 |
79 |
154 |
|
|
Cameron T. Liebert, White Manor Country Club |
73 |
81 |
154 |
|
|
David G. Mecca, Emanon Country Club |
76 |
78 |
154 |
|
|
Todd Berglund, Oakmont Country Club |
76 |
78 |
154 |
|
|
Ronald DeNunzio, Greensburg Country Club |
74 |
81 |
155 |
|
|
Joseph W. DiMuccio, New Castle Country Club |
75 |
80 |
155 |
|
|
Ryan J. Gelrod, Commonwealth National Golf Club |
81 |
74 |
155 |
|
|
Andy Gibbons, Pine Meadows Golf Complex |
73 |
82 |
155 |
|
|
Craig S. Kliewer, Meadia Heights Golf Club |
76 |
79 |
155 |
|
|
Jordan Shuey, PGA Individual Member |
78 |
77 |
155 |
|
|
Oliver White, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club |
77 |
78 |
155 |
|
|
Kyle R. Williams, Glen Oak Country Club |
75 |
80 |
155 |
|
|
Jimmy C. Wolfe, Bellewood Golf Club |
77 |
78 |
155 |
|
|
Griff Basehore, Country Club of Harrisburg |
79 |
76 |
155 |
|
|
Benjamin Cooley, Huntingdon Valley Country Club |
80 |
75 |
155 |
|
|
Barry Erenrich, The Club at Nevillewood |
73 |
83 |
156 |
|
|
Artie Fink, Jr., Sinking Valley Country Club |
78 |
78 |
156 |
|
|
Ryan Kline, Golden Oaks Golf Club |
73 |
83 |
156 |
|
|
Connor J. McNicholas, Commonwealth National Golf Club |
75 |
81 |
156 |
|
|
Vince A. Scarpetta, Glenmaura National Golf Club |
76 |
80 |
156 |
|
|
Kyle T. Davis, Fieldstone Golf Club |
76 |
81 |
157 |
|
|
Brady M. Goodling, Lebanon Country Club |
79 |
78 |
157 |
|
|
Sean Sweithelm, Indiana Country Club |
81 |
76 |
157 |
|
|
Eric S. Aeppli, Glenmaura National Golf Club |
76 |
82 |
158 |
|
|
Rodney L. James, Five Ponds Golf Club |
76 |
82 |
158 |
|
|
Greg Matthias, Hartefeld National |
77 |
81 |
158 |
|
|
Luke Miller, St. Clair Country Club |
77 |
81 |
158 |
|
|
Trevor Pope, Crossgates Golf Club |
82 |
76 |
158 |
|
|
Brian T. Corbett, Huntsville Golf Club |
82 |
76 |
158 |
|
|
Dan J Joseph, South Hills Country Club |
76 |
83 |
159 |
|
|
Matt Smith, Lancaster Country Club |
81 |
78 |
159 |
|
|
Kurtis A. Straw, Sunnehanna Country Club |
78 |
81 |
159 |
|
|
Eric Urda, Allegheny Country Club |
78 |
81 |
159 |
|
|
Byron W. Whitman, Golden Oaks Golf Club |
77 |
82 |
159 |
|
|
Peter J. Eiler, Commonwealth National Golf Club |
78 |
82 |
160 |
|
|
Adam J. Harrington, Penn State Golf Courses |
80 |
80 |
160 |
|
|
Russell K. Hartung, Doylestown Country Club |
82 |
78 |
160 |
|
|
Edward H. Knoll, Deer Run Golf Club |
79 |
81 |
160 |
|
|
Joey Manzinger, Sewickley Heights Golf Club |
81 |
79 |
160 |
|
|
Steven V. Scarpetta, Glenmaura National Golf Club |
85 |
75 |
160 |
|
|
James P. Bea, Spring Mill Country Club |
79 |
81 |
160 |
|
|
Kevin B. Ellison, Dauphin Highlands Golf Course |
81 |
80 |
161 |
|
|
Zachary E. Johns, First Tee of Pittsburgh Golf Club |
80 |
82 |
162 |
|
|
Lynn T. Kilduff, Huntsville Golf Club |
81 |
81 |
162 |
|
|
Heath Davidson, Carlisle Country Club |
79 |
83 |
162 |
|
|
Matthew A. Kachurak, Wyoming Valley Country Club |
79 |
84 |
163 |
|
|
Timothy P. Anderson, Commonwealth National Golf Club |
85 |
78 |
163 |
|
|
John E. Barry, Lancaster Country Club |
84 |
79 |
163 |
|
|
Jud Gemmill, Lancaster Host Golf Resort |
75 |
90 |
165 |
|
|
Rob Rowe, Bent Creek Country Club |
82 |
83 |
165 |
|
|
Daniel Costenbader, Blue Ridge Country Club |
83 |
82 |
165 |
|
|
Mark Czerniakowski, Blue Bell Country Club |
82 |
83 |
165 |
|
|
Clayton W. Davidson, Carlisle Country Club |
76 |
89 |
165 |
|
|
Mike Sugden, Lancaster Country Club |
79 |
88 |
167 |
|
|
Connor Coldwater, Glenmaura National Golf Club |
84 |
84 |
168 |
|
|
Chad J. Dechowitz, Blue Ridge Country Club |
84 |
86 |
170 |
|
|
WD-withdrawal |
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