McDermott, Lange head U.S. Amateur Qualifier

  HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa-This summer the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Major Championships, for the most part, have resulted in head-up showdowns between Chris Lange of Overbrook GC and Michael McDermott of Llanerch CC.

  The two friends have exchanged impressive victories in two of the three GAP Majors completed; McDermott taking the Middle-Amateur title with a birdie on the final hole at Gulph Mills GC; Lange dominating the Philadelphia Open at Philadelphia CC.

  In a couple weeks, the two will take their duel and talents to the national stage at the 104^th U.S. Amateur Championship set for Aug. 16-22 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y.

  McDermott (3-under-par total of 138), along with Lange (1-under-par total of 140), Clint Deibert of Doylestown CC (1-under-par total of 140) and Christopher Gold of Little Mill CC (1-over-par 142) topped the U.S. Amateur Championship qualifier administered by the Golf Association of Philadelphia at Huntingdon Valley CC/North Hills CC on Wednesday. The second round was complete after a torrential rainstorm postponed play late Tuesday afternoon.

  A field of 101 players initially signed up for the qualifier at Huntingdon Valley CC (par 70, 6,868)/North Hills CC (par 71, 6,488 yards). A total of 39 completed play. A Handicap Index of 2.4 was required.

  There were four qualifying and four alternate positions available.

  Lange and McDermott are making a habit of finding the top spots on the leaderboard.

  In the Mid-Am, Lange finished second to McDermott after a stirring final-round 66. In the Open, McDermott placed third overall, three behind Lange. In the current William Hyndman, III Player of the Year standings, Lange holds a 140-point lead on McDermott.

  Both players’ games are obviously sharp.

  “The way he’s playing, I’m perfectly fine being near him,” said McDermott of Lange. “We’re playing as good as anybody in Philadelphia right now. With the exception of the early rounds at the Philadelphia Amateur, we are both playing pretty good golf.”

  Added Lange, “I don’t think I’m thinking about him and I don’t think he’s thinking about me. That’s just the way it happens.”

  McDermott, the reigning Player of the Year, continues to prove why he is viewed as the area’s top player. Winged Foot will be his fifth straight U.S. Amateur Championship. He’s also qualified for the last three U.S. Middle-Amateur championships.

  “It’s not any easier, you just feel more comfortable that you can do it,” said McDermott, 29, of Havertown, Pa., about qualifying for a national event. “Being there before, I’m a little more calm on this day.”

  McDermott made four birdies on his inward nine en route to a 3-under-par 69 at North Hills CC in his first round. At always difficult Huntingdon Valley CC, McDermott kept it together before the rains came, getting to 5-under-par at one point. He made a 20-foot par save on No. 18, his ninth hole, when play restarted on Wednesday to send him on his way.

  Lange posted a 72 at Huntingdon Valley in his first round on Tuesday, before putting together a solid 3-under-par 68 at North Hills CC.

  “I got off to a good start,” said Lange, 49, of Bryn Mawr, Pa. “I made three birdies in the first eight holes [at North Hills] and that got me on my way.”

  Lange’s said he believes this is his “sixth or seventh U.S. Amateur appearance.” He’s still in search on his first match play draw.

  Deibert posted a 1-under-par 140 total to make his third consecutive U.S. Amateur.

  “I don’t know what to say. It is something,” said Deibert, 23, a fifth-year senior at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. “Hopefully, I’ll keep improving on the past two performances.”

  Deibert has failed to make match play in either of those appearances – at Oakland Hills CC in Detroit, Mich., and Oakmont CC in Pittsburgh, Pa.

  On Wednesday, he finished his last six holes in the wet conditions in 1-under-par. He chipped in on No. 8 from 40 yards for his birdie.

  Gold birdied No. 10 to defeat Billy Stewart of Llanerch CC in a playoff for the final qualifying position. Gold, 17, of Haddonfield, N.J., will be heading to his first U.S. Amateur Championship.

  “I didn’t know what to expect,” said Gold of qualifying. “I had nothing to lose.”

  Gold punched a 9-iron from 135 yards on No. 10 to 15 feet and made birdie.

  The senior at Haddonfield Memorial High School is having a stellar summer. He has finished first, third and ninth in three AJGA events.