Herbst heats up in #BMWPhillyAm Qualifier at Golden Oaks

FLEETWOOD, Pa. — David Herbst, a rising senior standout at Lebanon Valley College, is set to make his Golf Association of Philadelphia competitive debut after catching fire Monday at Golden Oaks Golf Club (par 72, 6,780 yards).

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A sizzling 4-under round of 68 earned Herbst the medal honor in a BMW Philadelphia Amateur Qualifier. As a member of West Shore Country Club – a new GAP Member Club in 2018 – Herbst will step onto the main stage, while representing the Harrisburg-area course, with momemtum and medal in hand.

“Qualifying for the [Philadelphia Amateur] was a goal of mine at the beginning of the summer. My score today is a new personal low for me in competition, so I’m really happy with the way I played,” said Herbst, of Mechanicsburg, Pa.

The Championship proper is set for June 12-14 and 16 at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club. Players will compete in stroke-play qualifying on June 12 (one round each at Whitemarsh Valley and Green Valley Country Club) to determine the 32-player, match-play bracket.

The day’s cut line stopped at 1-over 73 for the field of 109 hopefuls.

Back-to-back birdies started the medalist’s personal record-breaking day. On No. 1 (par 4, 395 yards), a perfect drive left 140 yards for a wedge approach which found the fringe. A jarred 30-footer for 3 got the round warmed up. A red number on No. 2 (par 4, 383 yards) arrived after a driver and eventual pitching wedge approach led to an eight-foot birdie conversion.

“Pretty much what I told myself is to just keep it going after those two. I just wanted to keep getting looks for birdies and eventually they’ll go in,” he said.

Oh, did they ever.

The birdie party continued on No. 5 (par 5, 473 yards) as he drilled a drive down the right side. A 3-wood approach found the green and Herbst would go on to two-putt for a red 4. The next highlight came as Herbst made Golden Oaks’ turn, jarring a six-foot birdie on No. 10 (par 4, 400 yards) after another well-executed wedge approach.

Herbst felt good about his position heading to the home stretch of his round, but that didn’t stop him from taking the foot off the pedal. His 6-iron tee shot on No. 13 (par 3, 164 yards) nestled up to six feet, which he made to get to the winning mark of -4.

The 2017-18 season was a big one for the Lebanon Valley Dutchman. Herbst collected three collegiate titles en route to First-Team All-MAC Commonwealth honors. After qualifying for the GAP’s premier event, Herbst now has a chance to build on his impressive year.

“It was a good season for me. I played consistent golf,” he said. “Last year, I qualified and played in both the Pennsylvania State Amateur and Open. Now I’ll get a chance to play in the [Philadelphia Amateur],” he said. “I’ll set my expectations for high finishes overall, but eventually I want to win one of those three.”

The 21-year-old, who is studying economics at Lebanon Valley, is excited to take on a new Championship in a different part of the state despite not being too familiar with the competition or tracks. That all will change in a few weeks’ time.

“It’s all exciting – I’ve heard great things about the courses. It’s a new part of the state for me, so I’m looking forward to getting there,” said Herbst.

The final of four #BMWPhillyAm Qualifiers will take place Saturday, June 2 at Wild Quail Golf & Country Club after being rained out this past weekend. Players are asked to contact the Association by Tuesday, May 22 informing of their availability to play. Those who cannot attend the new date will be issued full refunds.

The BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship is the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s premier event. Participants must first advance through a one day, 36-hole stroke play qualifier to gain one of 32 available match play positions. Those who qualify for match play must advance through four matches in two days to reach the Amateur Final, which is typically held on the Saturday of Father’s Day weekend. The winner receives the J. Wood Platt Trophy; its namesake holds a record-seven Amateur Championship titles.

Golf Association of Philadelphia
Founded in 1897, the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) 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 200 Full Member Clubs and 70,000 individual members are spread across Eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey and Delaware. As Philadelphia’s Most Trusted Source of Golf Information, the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.