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Trio shares medal in #GAPMidAm Qual. at Coatesville

COATESVILLE, Pa. – Three #GAPMidAm hopefuls took an unexpected roller coaster journey on Coatesville Country Club’s hills and slopes. Their thrill ride led them to a share of medalist honors.

Chris Esbenshade of Bent Creek Country Club, James O’Connor of Penn Oaks Golf Club and Dan Rudershausen of Kennett Square Golf & Country Club were the successful riders Tuesday at Coatesville (par 71, 6,267 yards). All three fired even-par rounds of 71 to secure a share of the top spot in a GAP Middle-Amateur Championship Qualifier.

The cut line stopped at 5-over 76 when all was said and done, resulting in the low 21 players and ties advancing to the championship proper. Rolling Green Golf Club will host the 36th Middle-Amateur Championship on May 22-23.

The medalists combined for 15 birdies on the day to lead a leaderboard of 87 hopefuls. Those red numbers were paired with 10 bogeys sprinkled throughout, hence the general feeling of rockiness among the victorious circle.

Rudershausen’s six birdies led the field. However, a three-putt double on No. 13 (par 3, 180 yards) combined with four bogeys left his round level. It still resulted in the shared top spot and a berth into another GAP Major.

“Honestly, it was an interesting round,” said Rudershausen, 33, of Kennett Square, Pa. “I was just happy to come here and hit the middle of the club face, because driving over here, I wasn’t feeling great about it. But at the end of the day, it’s all about qualifying, and while it was up-and-down, it was still a 71.”

O’Connor’s round was propelled by a near-ace on No. 4 (par 3, 170 yards). His 8-iron dart landed just over the cup, resulting in a tap-in birdie putt. It was enough to settle his game, as O’Connor carded the fewest amount of bogeys among the medalists.

“If you don’t know this course, you can put yourself in some troubling spots,” said O’Connor, 37, of West Chester, Pa. “Luckily I have some course knowledge, and was able to navigate it. The birdies obviously helped me out. Now it’s on to Rolling Green.”

It was on Esbenshade’s final three holes where his ride peaked. On No. 7 (par 4, 315 yards), his drive left him with an 80-yard punch shot that ran through the green. His chip shot took the slope and jarred for a 3. A 50-footer dropped on the 8th (par 4, 365 yards) while an up-and down par on No. 9 (par 4, 360 yards) sealed the even-par round.

“The first nine was all about playing it safe and making sure my round was in a good place. My back nine, however, was a completely different story,” said Esbenshade, 43, of Lititz, Pa. “It was just one of those kinds of days where all the birdie putts were dropping. It was really a true roller coaster ride out there.”

After their Coatesville adventure, next up will be a highly-anticipated ride on Rolling Green’s championship turf.

GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The Association’s 273 Full Member Clubs and 75,000 individual members are spread across the Eastern half of Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey and Delaware. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.