Phenomenal Philmont CC poised to host 106th Open Championship

  Philadelphia's top professional and amateur golfers will flock to fabulous yet formidable Philmont CC July 21 to compete in the 106th Open Championship.

  The Golf Association of Philadelphia's third Major of the season will be staged on the club's North Course, a William Flynn creation. Players can expect to experience a classic and challenging track.

  "The guys that haven't played here are really going to enjoy it," Michael Sokalski, Philmont's head professional, said. "It'll be a real test."

  Sokalski is one of 34 golf professionals in the Open field. He feels that home-course knowledge should play a factor, but in his case, it won't enter the equation.

  "I haven't been playing much this year," Sokalski said. "I don't have any real expectations. It'll be fun."

  Another professional, Rich Steinmetz of Spring Ford CC, returns to defend his title. He hopes to rediscover the magic formula he uncovered last year at Bent Creek CC. He carded a 10-under-par 132 to shatter two Open Championship records: score in relation to par (Joseph Lewis of Tredyffrin CC fired an 8-under-par 136 at Llanerch CC in 1942) and aggregate total (Gene Feiger of Overbrook GC shot a 135 at Laurel Creek CC in 1995). In his 2009 victory, Steinmetz fired 14 birdies overall, half of which occurred on his first 10 holes in the second round. Even a 45-minute rain delay couldn’t fray his nerves.

  "I was happy being able to go back out there and keep it together (after the rain delay)," Steinmetz, of Gilbertsville, Pa., said. "I went out and played some solid golf."

  A year later, Steinmetz's play has been equally as impressive. He logged a 2-under-par 70 in the PGA Philadelphia Section's Connelly Cup: Head-Pro Championship at Whitemarsh Valley CC May 12, but fell in a four-way playoff. Steinmetz finished tied for 15th in the PGA Professional National Championship at French Lick Resort, which earned him a spot in the 92nd PGA Championship at Whistling Straits Aug. 9-15. Fellow Open participants Stuart Ingraham of MGOLF Driving Range and Learning Center and Mark Sheftic of Merion GC also placed in the Top 15 at French Lick to qualify for the PGA Championship.

  Steinmetz previously played in the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol GC in Springfield, N.J.

  "It's great. I'm excited to be in it again," he said.

  Although visions of Whistling Straits may occasionally breeze through his mind, Steinmetz has his sights set on Philmont.

  "My preparation is the same as any other tournament," he said. "Usually, I'm a slow starter. I really started practicing hard after the Head-Pro Championship. This will be a good test for me. Hopefully, I can use this as a springboard."

  Before Steinmetz bounces on that springboard, he must overcome a dangerous dose of amateurs and professionals alike. Previous Open titleholders in this year’s field include Ingraham (1994), Terry Hertzog of Bent Creek CC (2001), Brian Kelly of Bucknell GC (2000, 2003), John Appleget of Wildwood G&CC (2002), Graham Dendler, Trenton CC’s professional (2005) and David Quinn of Links GC (2006).

  Among the amateurs vying for the 2010 Open crown are Thomas Gramigna of Tavistock CC, the 2010 Middle-Amateur Champion and current William Hyndman, III Player of the Year leader, and brothers James Kania, Jr. of Overbrook GC, the 2009 William Hyndman, III Player of the Year, and Michael Kania of Overbrook GC, 2010 Amateur runner-up.

  Hartefeld National’s Justin Martinson looks to scribe another chapter in his storybook season. The Avondale, Pa. resident captured the Association’s Amateur Championship last month at Saucon Valley CC and recently won the Delaware State Golf Association’s Amateur Championship, a 72-hole stroke play Major, at Wilmington CC by four strokes. Martinson finished tied for eighth with a score of 4-under-par 276 in the Eastern Amateur July 7-11 at Elizabeth Manor G&CC in Portsmouth, Va.

  "My golf game feels really good right now," he said. "I have high expectations for the Open. I feel confident in my game, and I'm ready to try and bring home another win."

  Philmont CC will welcome its 10th Open Championship. The club has fielded three Open Champions: Charles Hoffner (1922), Matt Kowal (1946) and Albert Besselink (1963). In fact, Besselink, who was Philmont's head professional at the time of his victory, finished the 36-hole venture in a 144-deadlock with Whitemarsh Valley CC's Sam Penecale and Harvey Smith of Oak Terrace CC. He defeated Penecale by four strokes and Smith by five in an 18-hole playoff the following day at Aronimink GC.

  The Golf Association of Philadelphia serves as the sole administrator of the Open Championship. In 2007, it increased the field size from 60 to 72 players.

  Forty-five players secured a spot in the field by qualifying at either French Creek GC or Hidden Creek GC. The remaining 27 earned exemptions based on previous results. Participants include professionals who are members in good standing of the Philadelphia Section PGA, head professionals of GAP Member Clubs and amateurs who are members of member clubs and carry a handicap index of 7.0 or less.

  As always, the public and media are welcome to attend.

  Philmont CC is located at 301 Tomlinson Road in Huntingdon Valley, Pa.

  NOTES–Frank Dobbs was the last professional to repeat as Open Champion (1991-92). In fact, Philmont CC was the host site in 1992. The last amateur to do so was R. Jay Sigel (1986-87)…Only three players (R. Jay Sigel, William Hyndman, III and Chris Lange) have won the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Open Championship, Amateur Championship and Patterson Cup. Lange has captured all four of the organization’s Majors (the Middle-Amateur Championship began in 1984)…Fifty-four clubs will be represented in this year’s Open…In the morning round of last year’s Open, 24 of the 72 players posted red figure scores.