The Sun Shines and So Does Kogelman
Joseph Kogelman
Royersford, PA – A hot and steamy day would not hold Joseph Kogelman from shooting a 5–under par, 67 at Spring Ford Country Club. Kogelman, assistant professional at Indian Valley Country Club, would card a bogey free round on a course that many players found difficult.
“I wanted to qualify.” Kogelman said, “I’ve been extremely confident with my game but I haven’t been playing that well...it was nice to put a round together.”
Kogelman was challenged early on in his round when he would be forced to make a daunting 6-foot putt to save par on the 2nd hole (par 4, 420-yards). After saving par on 2, he would go on to birdie 3 (Par 4, 386-yards), 6 (par 4, 315-yards), and 9 (par 5, 538-yards).
Kogelman would be tested again on 10 (par 4, 420-yards & 2nd most difficult hole of the day statistically) when he would block his tee shot right. He would try to hit a 7-iron into the green but would miss it to the right. After playing the entire 10th hole along the right side he was able to save par and move forward.
With a birdie on 12 (Par 4, 387-yards) and on 16 (par 3, 216-yards), Kogelman would card an event leading 67 to claim the Open Championship Qualifier (East) medalist honors.
Vince Boyle carded a 1–under, 71 to claim the second qualifying spot. Boyle, of Philadelphia, started his round with an impressive birdie on the 1st (par 4, 457-yards), a hole that most players failed to find the fairway off of the tee.
Vince Boyle
Boyle would go on to birdie the 6th (par 4, 315-yards), however he would give that stroke back when he would bogey the 7th (par 3, 207-yards). After turning at 1–under, 35, Boyle would play his back nine steadily making par on all nine holes. He would not need anything more than his 71 to lock in his qualifying spot.
In all 23 positions were available to qualify, however 32 players would qualify for the Open Championship at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Of the 32 players, six players were even par or better, and only Jimmy Wolfe, of Pottstown, and Justin Martinson, of Avondale, carded a 1–over, 73.
Two additional qualifiers will be held prior to the championship; the central qualifier July 11th at Colonial Golf & Tennis Club and the west qualifier, July 17th, at Shannopin Country Club. The Open Championship will be held August 13th – 15th at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.