Alessi, Kania share medalist honors at Open Qual. at Penn Oaks GC

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Vinny Alessi of Penn Oaks GC and Michael Kania of Overbrook GC each carded a 1-under-par 70 to share medalist honors at Tuesday’s Open Championship Qualifier at Penn Oaks GC (par 71, 6,602 yards).

  It was a case of “home sweet home” for Alessi, a Penn Oaks GC member. A strong finish shaped his round as he fired birdies on Nos. 11 (par 4, 358 yards), 12 (par 3, 145 yards) and 18 (par 4, 362 yards).

  “I struggled a little bit on the front nine. I didn’t make many putts,” he said.

  After he made the turn at 2 over, Alessi’s putting shifted gears. On No. 11, Alessi, 19, converted a tough 25-footer for birdie after punching his 52-degree about 80 yards.

  “It wasn’t a really good shot, but I made the putt,” he said.

  Alessi drilled a 9-iron to about six feet on No. 12 and drained the ensuing birdie putt. He closed out with a birdie on No. 18 after knocking his approach – a pitching wedge – 120 yards to about four feet from the flagstick.

  Obviously familiar with the course, Alessi felt that he held a “slight advantage” over the 145-player field.

  “You’ve got to hit the fairways, and you’ve got to hit the greens,” he said. “If you’re hitting there, then you can score.”

  This marks Alessi’s first appearance in the Open Championship, which will be held July 22 at Bent Creek CC.

  “It will be fun,” he said. “It will be a good learning experience. It will be good to play with good players. I played in the Amateur Championship this year, and I butchered it. I didn’t play well.”

  Kania, 18, set the tone of his round early by registering an eagle on No. 3 (par 5, 473 yards). The Haverford, Pa., resident drove his tee shot – a driver – to the center of the fairway, and with 165 yards left, he stuck his 8-iron to about three feet and converted the ensuing putt.

  “That propelled me,” Kania said.

  Like Alessi, Kania, who will head to the University of Kentucky in the fall, surged on the backside, registering birdies on Nos. 10 (par 4, 430 yards), 13 (par 5, 552 yards) and 18. He “played it safe” on No. 10 after his approach – a 9-iron – sailed 148 yards and settled about a foot from the flagstick. Kania became aggressive on No. 13, crushing his approach – a 3-wood – to about 30 yards from the flagstick. He then knocked his 54-degree to about 15 feet and drained the ensuing birdie putt.

  Kania finished his round with a birdie on No. 18. His drive soared about 330 yards, and Kania then stuck a 54-degree to about 10 feet. This also marks his first appearance in the Open Championship.

  “It’s a good tournament. It’s the best competition in Philadelphia,” Kania said. “I want to test myself with the professionals and all of the best amateurs.”

  Tucker Koch of RiverCrest GC & Preserve was one of four players to card an even-par 71. The Malvern, Pa., resident netted five birdies and made critical saves throughout his round, including on Nos. 6 (par 4, 395 yards) and 7 (par 3, 205 yards). On No. 6, Koch knocked his 4-iron into the bunker, but chipped up and drained a 15-footer. His tee shot on No. 7 – a 5-iron – found the bunker, but Koch again chipped up to 10 feet and converted the ensuing putt.

  “I could’ve made double-bogeys, but I made bogeys,” Koch said.

  Koch looks forward to competing amongst a tough field in the Open Championship.

  “I want to test myself,” he said.

  Overall, 27 players qualified Tuesday, with an additional four attaining alternate positions.