Carlisle's Hughes Tops Final Amateur Qualifier
YORK, Pa. - Carlisle Country Club's Jim Hughes fired a steady 2-under par 70 to capture medalist honors at today's qualifier at Out Door Country Club for the 102nd Pennsylvania Amateur Championship, presented by Allegheny Health Network. Hughes was among 10 players to gain eligibility to play in the championship, which will be held on July 27-29 at the Country Club of Scranton.
"I hit 15 greens out here today," Hughes said, citing the importance of that number due to the undulating greens at Out Door CC.
Through 14 holes, it didn't look as if there was any doubt that Hughes would top the qualifier. At that point he had birdies on six holes for the day versus just one bogey, and his 5-under score looked like it would set the pace for sure. But then he bogeyed holes 15 through 17, making things a little closer down the stretch than he would have wished on a hot and sunny day in York.
"I had it to 5-under and then I started leaking oil," Hughes said, regarding his troubles. But he was able to steady himself and make par on No. 18, which was good enough to clinch the top spot on the day.
Hughes started quickly in his round with birdies at both the par-3 second hole and the par-4 fourth. After another birdie at No. 6, he then dropped a shot on No. 8 to make the turn at 34 (-2). He quickly got two more birdies on No. 10 and No. 11 and added another on No. 14 before the aforementioned three straight bogeys down the stretch. It looked like more trouble was on the way on No. 18 as he found the fairway bunker. However, after hitting a wedge out of that, he drained a 25-foot par putt to finish at 2-under.
Hughes was followed on the leaderboard by Lancaster Country Club's John Barry, who birdied two of his final three holes to become the only other golfer to break par on the day, as he shot a 1-under 71. The only player at even par was Wildwood Golf Club's Kevin O'Brien, who battled back from a tough start on the back nine (double bogey on No. 11 and bogey on No. 12) to settle down and shoot 1-under for the remaining six holes and card a score of 72.
The other qualifiers all carded scores of 73 (+1). PAGA Individual Member David Denner showed mental toughness by recovering from an early double bogey for his score. Noah Firestone of Dauphin Highlands had five birdies en route to his 73. Brent Will of Deer Run golf club had two birdies amongst his last four holes to make it past the qualifying round. Country Club of York's Joseph Parrini had a late birdie (No. 16) to push him into the field. Home club hopeful Nicholas Geiman was steady all day 13 pars on his round. Finally, a pair of Philadelphia Publinks golfers - David Kimbley and David Shields - each made it into the field.