Spring Mill CC’s Bea bests Patterson Cup Qualifier at The Springhaven

WALLINGFORD, Pa. – James Bea of Spring Mill CC didn’t let an opening bogey set the tone of his round as he carded a 4-under-par 66 to earn medalist honors at Thursday’s Joseph H. Patterson Cup Qualifier at The Springhaven Club (par 70, 6,545 yards).

   “It was just a smooth round of golf,” Bea, who’s entering his sophomore year at Saint Joseph’s University, said. “I did a lot of good things – a lot of good momentum things, no real roadblocks, which was nice.”

   The Churchville, Pa. resident generated momentum after firing back-to-back birdies on Nos. 4 (par 4, 419 yards) and 5 (par 4, 395 yards). After his tee shot soared into the left-side trees on No. 4, Bea pinched a 54-degree through a gap in the branches to about two feet.

  “I had a good feeling that it was going to be tight, and it was,” Bea said.

   On the next hole, Bea nearly holed-out for eagle with a pitching wedge from 125 yards out.

   “I kind of controlled it,” he said. “It just took one hop, and it lipped, but apparently, it was a little short.”

   Bea went on to drain an uphill 5-footer for birdie.

   “That really gave me confidence to shoot a low number,” he said. “You always want to get off to a good start in a qualifier because you want to get momentum going early. You don’t want to force birdie anywhere. It was all about putting myself in a good position.”

   After making the turn at 1-under, Bea sunk a downhill 6-footer for birdie on No. 10 (par 4, 426 yards). He again battled out of the trees on No. 14 (par 4, 343 yards) by sticking an 85-yard wedge to about six feet. Bea punched a wedge from 100 yards out on No. 18 (par 4, 381 yards) to about four feet and converted the ensuing birdie putt.

   Prior to his final hole of the day, Bea made a critical save on No. 17 (par 4, 366 yards). He cleared the trees with his approach, then pitched it onto the green from about 30 yards and drained a 5-footer.

  “You just want to take it one shot at a time, and that’s been my goal all summer. I’m getting better at handling it,” Bea said.

   The Patterson Cup’s storied history inspired Bea to compete in Thursday’s qualifier.

   “The place where I’ll be playing at is Llanerch CC, where I practice at,” he added. “I’m going to feel somewhat comfortable, having played there a good amount of times.”

   Bea hopes to play well in the Patterson Cup, set for Aug. 13-14. Earlier this season on the Golf Association of Philadelphia circuit, he finished second in an Amateur Championship qualifier at Coatesville CC.

   “It’s been a reoccurring theme this summer, as far as playing well in the qualifier and not showing up when I need to on the big stage,” he said. “It’s a clean slate now. I’m in the tournament. The main goal was to qualify and to do it with flying colors, and I think did that.”

   Brendan Mohler of Northampton CC carded a 3-under-par 67. After making the turn at even-par, he registered three birdies on his final nine holes.

   Ed Chylinski of Chester Valley GC and Brian McDermott of Llanerch CC each carded a 2-under-par 68. Chylinski, of Gulph Mills, Pa., surged to a strong start by firing a birdie on No. 1 (par 4, 417 yards). He tapped in from a foot after knocking his 7-iron about 160 yards out of the left rough.

   Chylinski, 59, dialed in an eagle on No. 8 (par 5, 547 yards) after his 3-wood traveled about 260 yards and settled about four feet from the flagstick. He then fired birdies on Nos. 11 (par 4, 454 yards) and 18. The Patterson Cup’s format changed this year from one day, 36-holes to two days, 36-holes, which prompted Chylinski to participate in Thursday’s qualifier.

   “That’s more manageable,” he said.

   McDermott, of West Conshohocken, Pa., felt that he struck the ball well to grow comfortable on the course. Starting on No. 10, he registered four straight birdies on Nos. 17 (par 4, 366 yards), 18, 1 and 2 (par 5, 545 yards) to emerge to 4-under. However, the 27 year-old carded a double-bogey No. 4 (par 4, 419 yards). After his tee shot found the left-side trees, McDermott attempted to chip back onto the fairway, but fell short and landed in the bunker. His wedge came up short of the green, and he failed to get up-and-down.

   McDermott then steadied his play and made pars the rest of the way.

   “Even after making that double, I knew I was in a good position. I just kept my head high,” he said. “It’s one of those days where it’s great to shoot a low score. I’m very fortunate to have done that.”

   The Patterson Cup marks McDermott’s first appearance on the GAP circuit in 2009.

   “Starting work, I just haven’t played much on the competitive side,” he said. “I’ve been playing well, and with Llanerch being the site this year, it’s a good place to get going again. I’m more comfortable with work. It’s probably just a good opportunity.”

   The top 35 players and ties qualified out of Tuesday’s field of 138, with the cut line resting at 75. The second and final Patterson Cup qualifier will be held at Medford Village CC on July 28.