Nathan Smith named Fownes Player of the Year
BROOMALL, Pa. – Nathan Smith claimed his fourth William C. Fownes, Jr. Amateur Player of the Year honor for his performance during the 2015 season. Smith, a native of Pittsburgh and member at both Pinecrest Country Club and Wildwood Golf Club, tallied 817 points to outpace the 2014 Player of the Year, Arnold Cutrell of Greensburg Country Club, by 167 points.
“I felt good about my game heading into the season. I had a lot of fun this year and it’s always great seeing all the guys and I enjoy the camaraderie,” said Smith.
Smith’s 2015 campaign started with a bang as he teamed with Todd White of Spartanburg, S.C. to claim the inaugural USGA Amateur Four-Ball Championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. They earned an exemption into the 2016 championship to be contested at famed Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y.
“It was a special week at The Olympic Club. I didn’t really know what to expect. Todd and I had a blast and managed to ham and egg our way to a win," Smith said. "All the players were treated so well and it was a lot of fun to play a U.S. Open course with a partner. I think this event will continue to grow and become one of the most popular USGA events in the future."
On the Pennsylvania circuit, Smith then notched a victory in the finals of the 12th R. Jay Sigel Amateur Match Play Championship, hosted by Indiana Country Club, over the aforementioned Cutrell, in a match that went 24 holes. His win made it a record four times as champion of The Sigel. Smith posted a top 10 finish at the 102nd Amateur Championship at the challenging Country Club of Scranton, good for 165 more points.
“The venues this season were spectacular. I loved the layouts and course conditions along with greens that were flawless. Indiana Country Club’s greens are always perfect, and Country Club of Scranton was in awesome condition, and was a very tough test,” Smith noted.
Knowing he was in a tight race, Smith figured a solid performance on the USGA circuit would likely be necessary to secure another Fownes POY title. Although he failed to make match play at the U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields, Smith looked to right the ship at the U.S. Middle-Amateur at John’s Island. He found himself in a 22-for-2 playoff to get into match play, and promptly birdied the first playoff hole to claim the 64th seed and a spot against medalist and defending champion, Scott Harvey. During the heavyweight battle, Smith jumped out to a quick 3-up lead, but Harvey came up huge down the stretch and made birdie on 18 to square the match, then birdied the 19th to end Smith’s run at the Middle-Amateur.
What’s in the bag?
Driver – Callaway Double Diamond 815 with Dasani x-shaft
Hybrids – Callaway 18 and 23 degree with Speeder x-shaft
Irons – Callaway Apex 4-PW
Wedges – Titleist Vokey 52, 56 and 60 degree
Putter – Odyssey White Hot #5
Ball – Callaway SR2