Radley Run’s Finnerty tops Patterson Cup Qualifier

 HONEY BROOK, Pa.-James Finnerty of Radley Run Country Club was medalist at the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Patterson Cup Qualifier held at Honeybrook Golf Club on Tuesday.

  Finnerty survived steamy conditions and took advantage of the little wind, which normally protect the 6,341-yard, par-70 course.

  Two solid nines of 1-under par 34s left Finnerty with a total of 2-under-par 68. Birdies on the 367-yard second hole and another on the 400-yard, par 4, sixth hole got his round going in the right direction.

  However, a double bogey on the short, risk-reward, 335-yard par four seventh hole brought him back to reality.

  It did not take long for Finnerty to get back on track with three consecutive birdies on Nos. 9-11, which included a rare birdie on the demanding 220-yard par-3, 10^th hole.

  Finnerty managed to hang on coming home, with a birdie at the 546 yard par 5, 15^th and bogey’s on Nos. 16 and 17 before finally making a solid par on the 402 yard, par 4, finishing hole.

  His total of 2-under-par 68 bested a field of 91 players by two shots, with six other qualifiers coming in at even-par 70. There were 36 qualifying positions and eight alternate positions for the GAP’s final major of the season.

  The Patterson Cup for Aug. 11 at Concord CC and Radley Run CC. Competitors play 36 holes, 18 at each course.