Ault tops Amateur Championship Qualifier - The Golf Association of Philadelphia

Aug 02, 2005

Ault tops Amateur Championship Qualifier

HAVERTOWN, Pa.–Chris Ault of Levittown, Pa., cruised to medallist honors and Chris Lange of Bryn Mawr, Pa., survived a two-for-one playoff to head a contingent of nine players advancing into the 105th U.S. Amateur Championship at Merion GC on Aug. 22-28.

  Ault, Lange and the other seven qualifiers advanced to the Championship field from the two-day, 36-hole qualifier held at both Llanerch CC (par 71, 6,720 yards) and Rolling Green GC (par 70, 6,697 yards) on Monday and Tuesday. Players competed over 18 holes at each golf course.

  Other qualifiers heading to Merion GC are: Bryant Reyes of West Chester, Pa.; Billy Stewart of Devon, Pa.; Christopher Gold of Haddonfield, N.J.; Cole Willcox of Berywn, Pa.; Tim Hager of Ivyland, Pa.; Adam Cohan of Wayne, Pa and John Pelet of Atglen, Pa.

  Ault had an adventurous even-par (35-36) day. Still reeling somewhat from his 7-under-par, course record-tying 63 on Monday at Rolling Green GC, he said that as he stepped up to the 10th tee, his first, at Llanerch CC on Tuesday, “I didn’t know what to think.”

  He parred Nos. 10 and 11, but promptly double-bogeyed the par 3, 179-yard 12th. “I hit it over the green, then hit it over the green again, then missed a 10-footer for bogey,” he said. He then bogeyed the short No 15 (par 4, 312 yards) to go 3-over-par after six holes.

  But the best was soon to come. Starting with a birdie four on the par 5, 503-yard No. 15, Ault, who plays out of Spring Mill CC, had an incredible 11 one-putt greens in a row, canning putts from all over the place, from five to 40 feet, including a 30-footer for par on No. 1 and a 40 footer for par on No. 2. He missed a two-footer for birdie on No. 9 to end the streak.

  He was 3-under par during the stretch, with four birdies and a bogey. He had four birdies, two bogeys and a double for the day, finishing his round with 25 putts after needing only 26 at Rolling Green GC.

  Ault, 19, a sophomore at East Carolina University from Levittown, Pa., said it will be “exciting” to play in the Amateur, his first, “especially at Merion.”

  Reyes, 23, too, will be heading to his first Amateur Championship. Playing out of Hartefeld National, the recent California transplant carded seven birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey.

  “The history at Merion is unbelievable,” said Reyes. “I’m a huge Ben Hogan fan and I can’t wait to see the clubhouse and history.”

  Stewart, a 21-year-old St. Joseph’s senior-to-be, will be making his second trip to the U.S. Amateur. He competed in the U.S. Amateur in 2001 at East Lake GC in Georgia. Stewart, who last year failed to clinch a berth with a subpar second round, carded an even-par 70 at Rolling Green GC to assure himself of an invite.

  Gold, 18, who carded nine birdies, five bogeys and four pars in his round yesterday, posted an even-par 70 on Tuesday with just two birdies and two bogeys.

  The member of Little Mill CC made his first U.S. Amateur Championship last summer at Winged Foot GC.

  For Wilcox, playing in the Amateur, his first, will be an “awesome experience.” As he qualified with a 3-under-par 68 at Llanerch CC for a two-day total of 3-under 138, his last three holes – 3-3-3 – also were awesome.

  After playing steady golf on the back nine, his front side, to card a bogey-free 1-under-par 35, he bogeyed the par 4, 403-yard No. 1 and the par 4, 464-yard No. 3 with errant drives into trees to go to 1-over for the day. He got one back with a birdie on the 208-yard, par 3 No. 4, but he still believed he needed a finishing flourish to qualify.

  He birdied the 399-yard, par 4 No. 7 from 25 feet; parred the 222-yard, par 3 8th hole and laced a drive down the middle of No. 9 (par 5, 483 yards), setting up a 223-yard second shot into a breeze and over a yawning bunker. He scorched a 3-iron to eight feet and sank the curling, side-hill putt for an eagle 3.

  “This just feels awesome,” he smiled. “I haven’t played as well this summer as I would have liked to, but this more than makes up for it.” Playing out of Philadelphia Country Club, he also feels he’ll have a home court advantage in one of the two qualifying rounds for match play in the Amateur at Merion.

  Wilcox, 17, of Berwyn, is entering his senior year at Malvern Prep.

  Hager, of Ivyland, Pa., said playing in the Amateur will be “a dream come true.” After a 3-under-par 67 at Rolling Green, he said his game plan for Llanerch CC was “to make as many pars as I could.” It worked. He made 14.

  But starting the round at No. 10, he missed the first three greens, got up-and-down twice, and was 1-over. Steadying himself, he carded four straight pars, then birdied the 148-yard, par 3 No. 17, to get back to even-par.

  He bogeyed the 425-yard, par 4 No.2, but “got it right back” with a deuce on the tough, 208-yard, par 3 No. 4. Then, “even par was what I wanted to do.” And he did.

  His only other national championship was competing last year in the American Junior Golf Association’s Polo Junior Classic in Sea Island, Ga. “But the U.S. Amateur, at Merion, really is a dream come true.”

   Hager, 19, who graduated this year from Council Rock High School North and plays out of Lookaway GC, is headed to the Georgetown University Hoyas in the fall on a golf scholarship. This also will be his first U.S. Amateur.

  Cohan, 19, of Wayne, Pa., a redshirt sophomore at Georgia Tech, started strong, with three 3s and a bogey five in the first four holes to go 1-under, but he bogeyed No. 7 to make the turn in even-par 36, and struggled somewhat on the back, with no birdies and bogeys on Nos. 11 and 17 for a 2-over 37. His 73, coupled with his 2-under 68 at Rolling Green, left him at even-par 141 and in qualifying. This will be his first U.S. Amateur and third national championship.

  Cohan made the Publinks Championship twice (2001, 2003) and the U.S Junior (2003) once.

  Pelet, 21, posted an impressive 68 in one of the final groups to finish at Llanerch CC on Tuesday to secure his initial U.S. Amateur Championship bid. He birdied four of the final five holes and tallied eight birdies in all.

  “I knew I had to shoot 68 to have any chance and I did,” said Pelet, a junior at University of Richmond.

  Lange, 50, who posted a par on the first playoff hole, to outlast Mike Danner of Chalfont, Pa., will be heading to his seventh U.S. Amateur and second in a row. Lange, the reigning Golf Association of Philadelphia Player of the Year, will be looking for his first trip to match play.

  In all, a field of 213 players competed at the two golf courses.

Qualifiers
Name City, State Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Total
Chris Ault Levittown, PA 63 RG 71 LCC 134
Bryant Reyes West Chester, PA 67 LCC 69 RG 136
Billy Stewart Devon, PA 67 LCC 70 RG 137
Christopher Gold Haddonfield, NJ 67 LCC 70 RG 137
Cole Willcox Berwyn, PA 70 RG 68 LCC 138
Timothy Hager Ivyland, PA 67 RG 71 LCC 138
Adam Cohan Wayne, PA 68 RG 73 LCC 141
John Michael Pelet Atglen, PA 73 RG 68 LCC 141
*Chris Lange Bryn Mawr, PA 72 RG 70 LCC 142
Alternates (in order)
Mike Danner Chalfont, PA 71 RG 71 LCC 142
George Marucci, Jr. Malvern, PA 70 LCC 73 RG 143
Failed to qualify
James White Horsham, PA 72 LCC 71 RG 143
Jamie Slonis Sewell, NJ 71 LCC 72 RG 143
Michael McDermott Havertown, PA 69 RG 74 LCC 143
Mu Hu Celebration, FL 72 LCC 71 RG 143
Thomas Gramigna Haddonfield, NJ 72 LCC 71 RG 143
Darrell Clayton Wilmington, DE 71 LCC 73 RG 144
Drew Panebianco Dresher, PA 71 LCC 73 RG 144
Mike Moffat Warrington, PA 73 RG 71 LCC 144
Robin McCool Bethlehem, PA 72 LCC 72 RG 144
Roc Irey Warrington, PA 72 LCC 72 RG 144
Christopher Kaspar North Wales, PA 75 RG 70 LCC 145
Douglas Schroer Malvern, PA 76 LCC 69 RG 145
Glenn Smeraglio Newtown, PA 71 RG 74 LCC 145
Tug Maude Rosemont, PA 71 LCC 74 RG 145
Clint Deibert Doylestown, PA 76 LCC 70 RG 146
James Donnelly Wayne, PA 72 LCC 74 RG 146
Jesse Dixon La Jolla, CA 71 RG 75 LCC 146
Paul Polinsky Abington, PA 75 LCC 71 RG 146
Robert Galbreath, Jr. Huntingdon Valley, PA 72 RG 74 LCC 146
Mark Miller Levittown, PA 75 RG 72 LCC 147
Michael Lebow Royersford, PA 73 RG 74 LCC 147
Eric Williams Honesdale, PA 72 LCC 76 RG 148
John Sawin Haverford, PA 78 LCC 70 RG 148
Thomas Timby, Jr. Doylestown, PA 77 LCC 71 RG 148
Trevor Pleasant Forestville, MD 75 LCC 73 RG 148
Brian Casey Madison, NJ 75 LCC 74 RG 149
Brian Myers Horsham, PA 74 LCC 75 RG 149
David Liotta Lansdale, PA 72 RG 77 LCC 149
Jeff Huntzinger Dresher, PA 75 RG 74 LCC 149
Michael Soowal Blue Bell, PA 75 LCC 74 RG 149
Robert Savarese, Jr. Lafayette Hill, PA 72 RG 77 LCC 149
Steven Owens Philadelphia, PA 76 LCC 73 RG 149
Ajai Sirohi W Windsor, NJ 79 RG 71 LCC 150
Bertus Wessels South Africa 74 LCC 76 RG 150
Greg Carver Hopewell, NJ 72 LCC 78 RG 150
James Douglass New Cumberland, PA 75 RG 75 LCC 150
Matthew Mattare Bethlehem, PA 71 RG 79 LCC 150
Michael Tash Glassboro, NJ 72 LCC 78 RG 150
Mike Anderson Horsham, PA 77 RG 73 LCC 150
Pat Garrison Folsom, PA 72 RG 78 LCC 150
Pat Tallent Vienna, VA 73 LCC 77 RG 150
Brian Gillespie Wayne, PA 76 RG 75 LCC 151
Brian Rothaus Huntingdon Valley, PA 77 RG 74 LCC 151
Charles Jones Collegeville, PA 74 LCC 77 RG 151
Daniel Pinciotti Jr Churchville, PA 77 RG 74 LCC 151
David Ryan Frantz Easton, PA 74 LCC 77 RG 151
Don Erickson III Dubois, PA 72 RG 79 LCC 151
Donny Wessner Temple, PA 76 RG 75 LCC 151
Jamie Wallace Moorestown, NJ 75 LCC 76 RG 151
Shawn Lavin Drexel Hill, PA 72 LCC 79 RG 151
Trey Best Washington, DC 75 RG 76 LCC 151
Bill Jeremiah West Grove, PA 75 RG 77 LCC 152
Derek Oakey Lagrange, GA 73 RG 79 LCC
J. P. Glynn Philadelphia, PA 80 RG 72 LCC 152
Mark Czerniakowski Montgomeryville, PA 75 RG 77 LCC 152
Michael Domenick Phoenixville, PA 78 LCC 74 RG 152
Nicholas Verrecchio Havertown, PA 78 LCC 74 RG 152
Raymond Thompson Springfield, PA 81 LCC 71 RG 152
Sam Varano Mohnton, PA 79 LCC 73 RG 152
Sean Glynn Philadelphia, PA 76 RG 76 LCC 152
Thomas DiCinti Voorhees, NJ 78 RG 74 LCC 152
Tom Carter Sicklerville, NJ 73 RG 79 LCC 152
Tom Finn Chadds Ford, PA 76 LCC 76 RG 152
Brian Corbett Shavertown, PA 80 LCC 73 RG 153
Chris Gallagher West Chester, PA 75 LCC 78 RG 153
Gary Daniels Berwyn, PA 76 RG 77 LCC 153
Jordan Wycoff Fort Washington, PA 77 LCC 76 RG 153
Logan Terry Plymouth Meeting, PA 71 RG 82 LCC 153
Michael Meisenzahl Medford, NJ 75 LCC 78 RG 153
Nicholas Ryder Rosemont, PA 77 LCC 76 RG 153
Rich Pruchnik West Chester, PA 74 RG 79 LCC 153
Sean Seese Huntingdon Valley, PA 72 RG 81 LCC 153
Warren Smith Wilmington, DE 76 RG 77 LCC 153
Conor Casey Madison, NJ 77 RG 77 LCC 154
Conrad Von Borsig Swarthmore, PA 74 LCC 80 RG 154
Dominic Frassinelli Allentown, PA 75 RG 79 LCC 154
Gary Roberts Newtown, PA 74 RG 80 LCC 154
Gerard Ascolese Blue Bell, PA 76 RG 78 LCC 154
James Kania, Jr. Haverford, PA 80 LCC 74 RG 154
Jason Cohan Wayne, PA 75 LCC 79 RG 154
Jim Rattigan Deer Lake, PA 75 LCC 79 RG 154
Jimmy Finnerty West Chester, PA 71 RG 83 LCC 154
Joe April Sewell, NJ 79 LCC 75 RG 154
John Robinson North Wales, PA 77 RG 77 LCC 154
Michael O’Keefe Medford, NJ 74 LCC 80 RG 154
Oscar Mestre Berwyn, PA 76 LCC 78 RG 154
Thomas Dell Leola, PA 79 RG 75 LCC 154
Bill Mecca Clarks Summit, PA 77 RG 78 LCC 155
Billy Mullen Norristown, Pa 83 LCC 72 RG 155
David Derminio Center Valley, PA 80 LCC 75 RG 155
J. Joseph McClatchy Bryn Mawr, PA 80 RG 75 LCC 155
Jay Desjardins Malvern, PA 78 RG 77 LCC 155
John LeBoeuf Rosemont, PA 77 RG 78 LCC 155
Kevin Kelly Horsham, PA 75 RG 80 LCC 155
Patrick Hardin Bethlehem, PA 82 LCC 73 RG 155
Reed Valutas Newtown Square, PA 78 LCC 77 RG 155
Rob Ockenfuss Perkasie, PA 78 RG 77 LCC 155
Santo Lafoca Pittson, PA 79 LCC 76 RG 155
Stephen Arnold Langhorne, PA 77 LCC 78 RG 155
Vince Yost Harleysville, PA 78 LCC 77 RG 155
Christopher Caimano Newtown, PA 82 LCC 74 RG 156
Leonard Pearson Elkins Park, PA 77 RG 79 LCC 156
Matthew Moroz Philadelphia, PA 76 RG 80 LCC 156
Stephen Dressel Malvern, PA 79 RG 77 LCC 156
William Gallagher Wagontown, PA 80 LCC 76 RG 156
Daniel P. Delaney Boothwyn, PA 71 RG 86 LCC 157
David West Downingtown, PA 77 RG 80 LCC 157
David Williams Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 80 LCC 77 RG 157
Jimmy Kieserman Blue Bell, PA 78 RG 79 LCC 157
Lance Oberparleiter Blenheim, NJ 79 RG 78 LCC 157
Mark Powers Washington, DC 73 RG 84 LCC 157
Bob Bechtold West Grove, PA 78 LCC 80 RG 158
Carlos Ochoa Marlton, NJ 83 RG 75 LCC 158
Douglas Nardella Moscow, PA 80 LCC 78 RG 158
Grant Hockman Jacksonville, AL 79 RG 79 LCC 158
Matt Berkowitz Havertown, PA 80 RG 78 LCC 158
Matt Shevlin Drexel Hill, PA 81 RG 77 LCC 158
Patrick Marshalek Chester Springs, PA 85 LCC 73 RG 158
Scott Deakins Wayne, PA 76 LCC 82 RG 158
Alexander Maguire, Jr. Philadelphia, PA 83 RG 76 LCC 159
Andrew Guaraldo Berywn, PA 77 LCC 82 RG 159
Craig Tallent Haverford, PA 80 LCC 79 RG 159
Josh Richards Wescosville, PA 81 RG 78 LCC 159
Mark Coassolo Limerick, pa 78 RG 81 LCC 159
Matthew Raudenbush Pine Valley, NJ 78 RG 81 LCC 159
Mike Gross Clarks Green, PA 80 LCC 79 RG 159
Rich Thon Swarthmore, PA 77 RG 82 LCC 159
Steve Scarpetta Moosic, PA 83 LCC 76 RG 159
Steven Dubarry London, Ontario, Canada 77 RG 82 LCC 159
Ted Smith Jacksonville, FL 79 RG 80 LCC 159
Bill Gropp Media, PA 76 RG 84 LCC 160
Chester Pasek Levittown, PA 77 LCC 83 RG 160
LCC 83 RG 160
David Fazzini Phoenixville, PA 74 LCC 86 RG 160
Marc Mandel Lafayette Hill, Pa 79 RG 81 LCC 160
Mark Vanadia Mendham, NJ 82 LCC 78 RG 160
Tom Lane Cinnaminson, NJ 80 RG 80 LCC 160
Vince Scarpetta Moosic, PA 81 LCC 79 RG 160
Clark Hargrove Haverford, PA 81 LCC 80 RG 161
Cory Siegfried Villanova, PA 75 RG 86 LCC 161
Craig Labarbera Bryn Mawr, PA 82 RG 79 LCC 161
Dan Rexon Haddonfield, NJ 79 LCC 82 RG 161
James Robertson Center Valley, PA 80 RG 81 LCC 161
Patrick Dougherty North Wales, PA 82 RG 79 LCC 161
Rick Piger Orefield, PA 79 LCC 82 RG 161
Ryan Beck Maple Glen, PA 80 RG 81 LCC 161
Brad Sokol Pottstown, PA 81 LCC 81 RG 162
Christopher Sturgell Palm Beach Gardens, FL 77 RG 85 LCC 162
Devin O’Connor Seven Valleys, PA 80 RG 82 LCC 162
Grant Skyllas Shillington, PA 81 LCC 81 RG 162
Michael Bieler Pottstown, PA 82 LCC 80 RG 162
Patrick O’Brien Glenside, PA 78 RG 84 LCC 162
Peter Lansinger Rosemont, PA 86 LCC 76 RG 162
Burton McHugh Philadelphia, PA 81 RG 82 LCC 163
Christian Davis Scranton, PA 84 LCC 79 RG 163
Gui Costin Radnor, PA 74 RG 89 LCC 163
Jarrett Kling Radnor, PA 83 LCC 80 RG 163
Jonathan Ross Berwyn, PA 77 LCC 86 RG 163
William McCrossan Newtown Square, PA 82 LCC 81 RG 163
Bobby Cunningham Wayne, PA 82 LCC 82 RG 164
Jason Bullock Bryn Mawr, PA 87 RG 77 LCC 164
Richard Reed Bryn Mawr, PA 82 LCC 82 RG 164
Ryan Ade Wayne, PA 83 LCC 81 RG 164
David Taraschi Haddonfield, NJ 83 LCC 82 RG 165
Doug Cusick Marlton, NJ 77 RG 88 LCC 165
Drew Garis Lansdale, PA 84 LCC 81 RG 165
James Joyce Phoenixville, PA 83 LCC 82 RG 165
John Aloisio, Jr. Hammonton, NJ 81 RG 84 LCC 165
Michael Billiris Thurmont, MD 89 RG 76 LCC 165
Tom Coyne Media, PA 81 LCC 84 RG 165
Josh Wilson Bryn Mawr, PA 86 LCC 80 RG 166
Shane Behmer Lancaster, PA 86 LCC 80 RG 166
George Connell Radnor, Pa 84 RG 83 LCC 167
Jim Austin Levittown, PA 87 LCC 80 RG 167
John Ferdinand Bensalem, PA 82 RG 85 LCC 167
Frank Petrash Hatboro, PA 80 LCC 88 RG 168
David Ahrens, Jr. Delran, NJ 89 LCC 80 RG 169
Ryan Owens Ocean City, NJ 88 LCC 81 RG 169
Adam Greitzer Bryn Mawr, PA 84 RG 87 LCC 171
Nick Lamberti Madison, NJ 87 RG 84 LCC 171
Thomas Kaufman South Plainfield, NJ 83 RG 88 LCC 171
Jonathan Hewett Sioux Falls, SD 90 LCC 82 RG 172
Robert Howell New Cumberland, PA 87 RG 85 LCC 172
Todd Anderson Wilmington, DE 86 RG 86 LCC 172
Andre Green Jacksonville, FL 86 LCC 87 RG 173
Bill Turner Mt Holly, NJ 87 RG 88 LCC 175
Chet Vienne Columbia, MD 90 LCC 87 RG 177
Chris Hervochon Sewell, NJ 77 RG DQ LCC DQ
Frank Corrado Washington Crossing, PA 81 RG NS LCC NS
Gary Stewart York, PA 78 RG NS LCC NS
Nevin Gupta Jacksonville, FL 84 RG NC LCC NC
Patrick Fillian Tinton Falls, NJ 80 LCC WD RG WD
Peter Barron Mays Landing, NJ 80 LCC WD RG WD
Sean Davy Moorestown, NJ 82 LCC WD RG WD
Sean Leonard Voorhees, NJ 79 RG WD LCC WD
Stephen Boerner Bethlehem, PA 85 RG WD LCC WD
Tom Lusto Saylorsburg, PA 84 RG WD LCC WD
Tripp Bailey Gladwyne, PA 83 LCC WD RG WD
Max Muller Huntingdon Valley, PA 77 RG WD LCC WD
Alan Borowsky Bala Cynwyd, PA 75 LCC WD RG WD
B. J. Jaworski Voorhees, NJ 85 LCC WD RG WD
Bill McGuinness Woodbury, NJ 76 LCC WD RG WD
Britton Murdoch Bryn Mawr, PA 79 RG WD LCC WD
*advanced in playoff
RG-Rolling Green GC; LCC-Llanerch Country Club
WD-withdrawal; NC-no card; NS-no show; DQ-disqualification



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