No One Can Catch Novic at Am Qualifier at Treesdale
GIBSONIA, Pa. - Southpointe Golf Club's Tim Novic fired eight birdies, including four straight at one point, en route to a blistering 66 (-6) to earn medalist honors at Treesdale Golf & Country Club in today's qualifier for the 102nd Amateur Championship, presented by Allegheny Health Network. Overall, 17 players advanced to the Country Club of Scranton for the championship on July 27-29.
"I played really solid today and was fortunate to make a few putts," Novic said. "I'm happy to make it through as I'm looking forward to the Country Club of Scranton since I've never played there before."
Novic used some local knowledge today, as he played the Grove 9 (today's back nine) in high school. He shrugged off a bogey at the first hole to come back with birdies on No. 4 and No. 5 to get under par for the round. Then, he caught fire at the turn. Both holes 9 and 10 are par 5s, giving the player a chance to score well, and Novic took advantage, with birdies on each hole plus on the par 3 11th hole and the par 4 12th hole to get to -5 for the day. He had it as low as -7 after another pair of birdies on No. 15 and No. 16 before dropping a shot on the 17th hole. Novic then parred the 18th for the 66, comfortably finishing at the top of the leaderboard for the day on the wet course that had accumulated nearly five inches of rain since Sunday.
Also with a strong showing was Oakmont Country Club's Spencer Mellon, who shot a 3-under 69. Mellon, recognizing the nature of the golf course, strategized wisely on the day.
"The course is so tight that I decided not to hit any drivers today," Mellon said. "That helped me stay in a good spot all day."
Mellon had three birdies on the front and two on the back side en route to his 69.
"I just had a couple of bad swings and a few three-putts, but otherwise I was very happy with today's round," Mellon said.
The Club at Nevillewood's Alex Urrea was a shot behind Mellon with a round of 70 that included four birdies. Also shooting under par for the day were a pair of golfers from Hickory Heights Golf Club (Corey Long and Jimmy Ellis) and Indiana Country Club's Matt Holuta, who all qualified with a score of 71 (-1). Another notable qualifier was Punxsutawney Country Club's Easton Renwick, fresh off of his victory in the West Penn Amateur. Renwick shot an even par 72, tied for seventh with PAGA Individual Member Jesse Vensel.
There is one more qualifier scheduled for the championship - June 22 at Out Door Country Club.