Rucinski runs BMW Philly Amateur Qualifier at Radley Run

  WEST CHESTER, Pa. — When the BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship returns to Merion Golf Club this year for the first time since 1954, Fieldstone Golf Club’s Ryan Rucinski, fresh off a breakout freshman season at Wilmington University, will be there with momentum and qualifying-medalist honors to his name. | Scorecards | History |

  The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Player and Rookie of the Year translated his massive college success to the GAP circuit flawlessly on Monday at Radley Run Country Club (Par 72, 6,726 yards).

  Eighteen players and ties, including Rucinski and his newest playing honor, moved on to the highly-anticipated Championship Proper from the 145-player field competing on Radley Run’s historic, hallowed grounds. The cut line stopped at 77 on the day; the first of four BMW Philadelphia Amateur qualifiers. The 116th playing of the BMW Philadelphia Amateur will take place June 13-15 and 18 at Merion. Philadelphia Country Club, along with Merion’s revered track, will serve as the stroke-play qualifying sites on June 13.

  Rucinski’s round picked up steam when a 30-foot birdie bomb dropped from distance on No. 6 (par 3, 150 yards). Rucinski hit the downhill-attempt with plenty of speed – maybe even too much – but rammed the ball in off the back of the cup. Another red number was carded on No. 8 (par 4, 383 yards) with a tap-in birdie after Rucinski placed a pitching wedge next to the flagstick.

  On the back nine, it was much of the same solid golf – the type Rucinski has been playing consistently over the past year. On the par-3,163-yard 13th, he found the green with a nice knockdown iron to about 20 feet and jarred the left-to-right look. Another tap-in birdie on No. 16 (par 5, 562 yards) secured medalist honors for the Wilmington, Del. resident.

  Rucinski finished in the Top 20 for individuals in five tournaments throughout his freshman campaign, including a playoff victory – his first collegiate win – in the Coach Carpenter Classic. On top of the regular season accolades that Rucinski garnered for himself, the Wildcats are set to compete in the NCAA Division II National Tournament starting May 17 in Denver, Colo.

  “I had a great first year overall and so did our team. We’ll look to see how we do it the NCAA Tournament, hopefully we will play well,” he said.

  The 19-year-old also took home low Amateur honors in the 2015 Delaware State Open, which took place at Rehoboth Beach Country Club (Rehoboth Beach, Del.).

  Despite being local to the region and a big fan of courses nearby, his Philadelphia Amateur debut will be the first time Rucinski will get a chance to lay his eyes on Merion East.

  “I’ve played the West course a couple of times, but I’ve never seen the East. I was set to play there in the [BMW GAP] Team Matches once, but it got rained out,” said Rucinski. “It’s a little weird since I’m around the area and it seems like everyone has played it. Now I can’t wait to get there and see what it’s all about.”

  When Merion’s famed East Course last welcomed the BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship 62 years ago, GAP Hall of Famer John Dyniewski defeated N. Harper Steward of Manufacturers Golf & Country Club, 4&3. The Golf Association of Philadelphia Magazine highlighted the event’s history at Merion in its recent Spring 2016 issue.

  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 golf association in the United States and serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. Its 151 Member Clubs and 57,000 individual members are spread across parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. 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.