 |
| Michael Heidler, an assistant professional at Berkshire Country Club, finished at 3 under. |
*Scorecards
*Photo gallery
Heidler, Smeraglio top Open Qualifier at Penn Oaks
WEST CHESTER, Pa. — Michael Heidler, an assistant professional at Berkshire Country Club, and Glenn Smeraglio, an amateur out of Mercer Oaks Golf Course, carded respective 3-under-par 68s to share medalist honors in a Golf Association of Philadelphia Open Championship Qualifier at Penn Oaks Golf Club (par 71, 6,527 yards). Both players led a field of 156 players hoping to earn one of 31 qualifying positions available for the Championship proper, set for July 17 at Waynesborough Country Club.
A conservative philosophy allowed Heidler to excel.
“Keeping it in play and out of trouble were the keys,” Heidler, 24, of Gilbertsville, Pa., said. “I didn’t three-putt anything.”
An eagle on the par 5, 478-yard No. 3 granted Heidler with subpar status — a label he would never relinquish. Heidler hit an 8-iron 160 yards to 30 feet above the hole location and sunk a slight left-to-right slider. He moved to 3 under with a birdie on No. 6 (par 4, 379 yards), thanks to a 150-yard 9-iron shot to five feet. A bogey on the downhill par 3, 207-yard No. 8 temporarily skewed his round. Heidler caught the right greenside bunker with a 3-hybrid and failed to get up-and-down. He immediately rebounded with a 3 on No. 8 (par 4, 379 yards), knocking a 9-iron 140 yards to five feet. Heidler entered his inward tour hoping to add another red figure to the scorecard; instead, he settled for nine consecutive pars, one of which was a scramble of sorts. On the par 4, 333-yard 16th hole, Heidler deposited his 7-iron approach into the front left bunker and blasted out to five feet for a sharp sand save.
Monday’s qualifier marked Heidler’s competitive debut in 2013. When asked why he decided to audition, the Eastern Kentucky University graduate replied: “to play in tournaments that mean something.” Heidler was equally straightforward regarding his expectations for Waynesborough.
“To win,” he said.
Heidler will also attempt to qualify for the Pennsylvania Golf Association Open Championship next month at Whitford Country Club.
A trio of back nine birdies boosted Smeraglio onto the medalist platform. On No. 10 (par 4, 421 yards), he cranked a wedge 140 yards to a foot.
“The ball was really traveling far with the heat,” Smeraglio, 53, of Newtown, Pa., said. “A couple times I hit my irons farther than I expected. I had it dialed in a little bit to take a little bit off.”
Smeraglio inked back-to-back red figures on Nos. 14 (par 4, 439 yards) and 15 (par 3, 165 yards). On the first, he again hit a downhill wedge 145 yards to 12 feet below the hole location. Smeraglio stopped an 8-iron at 25 feet on the latter and proceeded to convert a right-to-left breaker.
“I made a lot of four and five footers,” he said. “To make all of those was really a bonus. All and all it was a very good day.”
Smeraglio, who qualified for match play in last week’s Amateur Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, began his qualifying bid with a birdie, knocking a 60-degree wedge to 12 feet on No. 1 (par 4, 330 yards). He returned that stroke with a bogey on No. 2 (par 4, 440 yards) thanks to a drive that found the fairway bunker. The weather delays, as it turns out, actually help Smeraglio’s play down the stretch.
“When we first started, I was a little weak,” he said. “I ate [during the delay] and it alleviated me a little bit. I was hanging in there in the beginning. It was a long day but very satisfying.”
Smeraglio will next compete in a U.S. Senior Open Qualifier in Garden City, N.J. Thursday.
“I’d like to have this score for there,” he said.
The cut line stopped at 75 with 13 players competing for the final seven qualifying positions.
NOTES—Inclement weather caused two delays yesterday. Play was suspended two hours and 22 minutes in the afternoon. Players were again called off the course at 6:36 p.m. They returned at 8:25 p.m. before stopping 30 minutes later.
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 143 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.
|
Qualifiers
|
|
Name,
Club
|
Score
|
|
(a)
Glenn Smeraglio, Mercer Oaks Golf Course
|
68
|
|
Michael
Heidler, Berkshire Country Club
|
68
|
|
(a)
Matthew Crescenzo, Philmont
Country Club
|
71
|
|
(a)
Jim Rattigan, Schuylkill Country Club
|
71
|
|
(a)
Kavian Bina, Radnor
Valley Country Club
|
71
|
|
(a)
Andrew Lawson, Waynesborough Country Club
|
72
|
|
(a)
Grant Skyllas, Moselem Springs Golf Club
|
72
|
|
(a)
Michael Carr, Plymouth Country Club
|
72
|
|
(a)
Brian Gillespie, St. Davids Golf Club
|
72
|
|
(a)
Greg Jarmas, Overbrook Golf Club
|
72
|
|
(a)
Ryan Fogel, Penn Oaks Golf Club
|
72
|
|
(a)
Cory Siegfried, Aronimink Golf Club
|
73
|
|
Billy
Stewart, Golf Galaxy
|
73
|
|
(a)
Tim Freeh, Back Creek Golf Club
|
73
|
|
(a)
Austin Smith, Huntsville Golf Club
|
73
|
|
(a)
Carey Bina, Radnor Valley Country Club
|
74
|
|
(a)
Ryan Gelrod, Philadelphia Cricket Club
|
74
|
|
Mark
Summerville, Philadelphia Country Club
|
74
|
|
Michael
Little, Rolling Green Golf Club
|
74
|
|
Shawn
Hall, Radley Run Country Club
|
74
|
|
Anthony
Napoletano, Golftec King
of Prussia
|
74
|
|
(a)
Dan Bernard, Aronimink Golf Club
|
74
|
|
(a)
Michael Kania, Overbrook Golf Club
|
74
|
|
Daniel
Bolstein, Riverton Country Club
|
74
|
|
(a)
*Eric Slawter, St. Davids
Golf Club
|
75
|
|
(a)
*Mike Amole, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
|
75
|
|
(a)
*David West, Whitford Country Club
|
75
|
|
(a)
*Blayze DiPasquale, Makefield Highlands Golf Club
|
75
|
|
*Joseph
Kogelman, Waynesborough
Country Club
|
75
|
|
(a)
*Jake Goldenring, Sea Oaks Golf Club
|
75
|
|
(a)
*P. Chet Walsh, Philadelphia Country Club
|
75
|
| |
|
Alternates
(in order)
|
|
(a)
*Jeffrey Griest, Waynesborough
Country Club
|
75
|
|
(a)
*Kevin Conners, Jr., Whitford
Country Club
|
75
|
|
(a)
*Shawn Lavin, Rolling Green Golf Club
|
75
|
|
*Michael
Paukovits, St. Davids
Golf Club
|
75
|
| |
|
Failed
to qualify
|
|
(a)
*Simon Hagger, Fieldstone Golf Club
|
75
|
|
(a)
*Scott McNeil, Bala Golf Club
|
75
|
|
John
Allen, Edgmont Country Club
|
76
|
|
(a)
Daniel Myers, French Creek Golf Club
|
76
|
|
(a)
Vincent Sirianni, Whitemarsh
Valley Country Club
|
76
|
|
(a)
Robert Dziak, The Springhaven
Club
|
76
|
|
(a)
Kevin Kramarski, Riverton Country Club
|
76
|
|
(a)
Mark Coassolo, Brookside C.C. of Allentown
|
76
|
|
(a)
Jake Van Arkel, Merion Golf Club
|
76
|
|
(a)
Chuck Lynch, Jr., Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
|
76
|
|
(a)
Jimmy Taylor, RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve
|
76
|
|
(a)
Mac Ryan, Overbrook Golf Club
|
76
|
|
John
Spina, Philadelphia Cricket Club
|
77
|
|
(a)
Daniel Furman, Commonwealth National Golf Club
|
77
|
|
(a)
Rodney Anders, Indian Valley Country Club
|
77
|
|
(a)
Tom Watchko, Plymouth Country Club
|
77
|
|
(a)
Christopher Chizauskie, Concord Country Club
|
77
|
|
(a)
Sean Seese, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
|
77
|
|
Greg
Matthias, Brandywine Country Club
|
77
|
|
(a)
Kyle Ginty, Talamore
Country Club
|
77
|
|
Colin
Corrigan, Saucon Valley Country Club
|
77
|
|
(a)
Tim Godshalk, Whitford
Country Club
|
77
|
|
Jordan
Gibbs, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
|
77
|
|
(a)
Brian Todaro, Rolling Green Golf Club
|
77
|
|
Eric
Figueroa, McCall Golf & Country Club
|
77
|
|
(a)
Brad McFadden, Overbrook Golf Club
|
77
|
|
(a)
Walt Lucki, Golden Oaks Golf Club
|
77
|
|
(a)
Jeffrey Shanahan, Applebrook Golf Club
|
78
|
|
(a)
Liam Lafferty, Links Golf Club
|
78
|
|
(a)
Jimmy Pokorny, Golf Course at Glen Mills
|
78
|
|
Doug
Delaney, Sand Barrens Golf Club
|
78
|
|
(a)
Robert Coyne, Downingtown Country Club
|
78
|
|
Wesley
Hollis, Meadowbrook Golf Club
|
78
|
|
(a)
Kenny Engel, Jr., North Hills Country Club
|
78
|
|
Shawn
Matthews, Squires Golf Club
|
78
|
|
(a)
Tanner Swanson, Penn Oaks Golf Club
|
78
|
|
Hugh
Reilly, Jr., Twining Valley Golf Club
|
78
|
|
(a)
Dominic Foti, Yardley Country Club
|
78
|
|
(a)
David Liotta, Whitemarsh
Valley Country Club
|
78
|
|
(a)
Patrick Murray, North Hills Country Club
|
79
|
|
(a)
Tom Horgan, Plymouth Country Club
|
79
|
|
(a)
Patrick Shanahan, Applebrook Golf Club
|
79
|
|
Ryan
Gray, Honeybrook Golf Club
|
79
|
|
(a)
Scott McLaughlin, Commonwealth National Golf Club
|
79
|
|
(a)
Matthew Bastian, Jr., Rolling Green Golf Club
|
79
|
|
(a)
Zachary Dilcher, Inniscrone
Golf Club
|
79
|
|
(a)
Justin Smith, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
|
79
|
|
(a)
Braden Shattuck, Golf Course at Glen Mills
|
79
|
|
(a)
Brian Dempster, Mercer Oaks Golf Course
|
79
|
|
Jason
Przystup, Four Seasons GC
|
80
|
|
(a)
Trey Swanson, Penn Oaks Golf Club
|
80
|
|
(a)
Jimmy Johnston, Merion Golf Club
|
80
|
|
(a)
Chris McCann, The ACE Club
|
80
|
|
(a)
Nicholas Anderson, White Manor Country Club
|
80
|
|
(a)
D.J. Quinn, Links Golf Club
|
81
|
|
Jared
Cottell, Country Club at Woodloch
Springs
|
81
|
|
(a)
J. Kirk Luntey, Merion Golf Club
|
81
|
|
(a)
Jason Barkley, Huntsville Golf Club
|
81
|
|
(a)
Matt Baer, Broad Run Golfers Club
|
83
|
|
(a)
Marc Mandel, Philadelphia Cricket Club
|
83
|
|
(a)
Brian Kreamer, Bala Golf
Club
|
83
|
|
(a)
Mike Hoffman, Broad Run Golfers Club
|
83
|
|
(a)
Justin Pak, Honeybrook Golf Club
|
83
|
|
(a)
Steven Minnick, Jr., Bala Golf Club
|
84
|
|
(a)
Jeff Kiczek, Golf Course at Glen Mills
|
84
|
|
(a)
Michael Cook, Applebrook Golf Club
|
85
|
|
(a)
Brad Sokol, Green Valley Country Club
|
85
|
|
(a)
Joseph Markmann, Talamore
Country Club
|
85
|
|
Jim
Smith, Jr., Philadelphia Cricket Club
|
86
|
|
(a)
Andrew Sterge, Stonewall
|
86
|
|
(a)
Nolan Kearney, Honeybrook Golf Club
|
86
|
|
(a)
Zach Paris, Penn Oaks Golf Club
|
88
|
|
(a)
Gregory Lee, Middletown Country Club
|
88
|
|
Daniel
Donohue, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
|
88
|
|
(a)
Brendan Papariello, White Manor Country Club
|
91
|
|
Kevin
Gainer, Applebrook Golf Club
|
NS
|
|
(a)
John Concannon, Concord Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Evan Notaro, Woodstone
Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Oscar Mestre, Overbrook Golf Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Christopher Fuga, Phoenixville Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Tucker Koch, RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Joseph Rueter, Jr., Huntingdon Valley Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
R. Morgan Dougherty, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Ted Brennan, Philadelphia Country Club
|
DQ
|
|
(a)
Alex Bauman, The Ridge at Back Brook
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Alex Blickle, LedgeRock
Golf Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Paul Acierno, Sandy Run Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Jesse Bingaman, Northampton Country Club
|
WD
|
|
Richard
Williams, Indian Valley Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Richard Marabella, Whitemarsh
Valley Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Jack Russell, Philadelphia Cricket Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Matthew Ade, Riverton Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Jack Clough, Wilmington Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
James Barr, Makefield Highlands Golf Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Ryan Carroll, Chester Valley Golf Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Robert Firth, Jr., Commonwealth National Golf Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Jordan Claffey, Philmont
Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Christopher Clauson, Sandy Run Country Club
|
DQ
|
|
(a)
Tim Behl, RiverCrest Golf
Club & Preserve
|
WD
|
|
(a)
James Donnelly, Merion Golf Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Will Flood, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Charles Cai, Mercer Oaks Golf Course
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Sam Gallen, Berkshire Country Club
|
WD
|
|
Michael
Molino, Dick's Sporting Goods
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Michael Beran, RiverCrest
Golf Club & Preserve
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Jonathon Dutcher, Reading Country Club
|
WD
|
|
Jeff
Orleski, Yardley Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Evan Thornton, Berkshire Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Lance Oberparleiter, Laurel Creek Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Blake Vogdes, Wildwood Golf & Country Club
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Robert Dietrich, Makefield Highlands Golf Club
|
WD
|
|
Duane
Pinnock, RiverCrest Golf
Club & Preserve
|
WD
|
|
(a)
Joseph Dulka, Bellewood
Golf Club
|
WD
|
| |
|
*-determined
in playoff; (a)-amateur
|
|
DQ-disqualification;
NC-no card; NS-no show; WD-withdrawal
|
|
