Creghan low Junior Boys Qualifier, Yardley CC takes Team title

  HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. – Brian Creghan of Plymouth CC carded an even-par 72 to take the qualifying medal for the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Junior Boys’ Championship Tuesday at Philmont CC (South Course, par 70, 5,921 yards).

  He put together solid nines of 37-35 to best Jeff Greist of Waynesborough CC and Bobby Galbreath of Huntingdon Valley CC, both of whom shot 1-over 73, and Greg Forster of Sandy Run CC, with a 74.

  Sixteen players shot 78 or better to qualify for Championship match play beginning Wednesday morning. The 18-hole final match for the Championship will be Thursday afternoon at Philmont.

  Sixteen more qualified for first flight match play, also beginning Wednesday morning.

  Yardley CC took the Philadelphia Junior Team Championship with an aggregate three-player total of 246.

  Matt Pesci led the team with a 77, followed by Justin Rusk (82) and Jon Glennie (87).

  Downingtown CC (Chris Allen, Jr., 77, Brent Piattelli, 80, Jordan Cowan, 92), Overbrook GC (James Kania, Jr., 77, Reed Valutas, 80, Robert Sylvia, 92), and Old York Road CC (Ryan Beck, 78, Duncan Zeiders, 80, Bryan Samaha, 91) tied for second in the Team Championship, each carding totals of 249.

  In taking the individual medal, Creghan, 16, of Radnor, Pa., had an unusual start. He birdied the par-4, 355-yard first hole, then shanked a 5-iron out of bounds on the 180-yard, par-3 second. Re-teeing, he hit the 5-iron again to within 10 feet and drained the putt for a bogey. “That was big,” he said.

  But the key to his round was his putting, he added. He three-putted only twice on the slick, rolling greens that took their toll on much of the field.

  “They were really, really fast,” he said. “I putted well.”

  The tournament is for boys aged 14-17 and under with a GAP/USGA handicap index of 14.4 or lower.