Hot fun in the summertime
HERSHEY — What was already a good summer for Brett Rinker got even better.
The 13-year old Slippery Rock resident captured first place in the 13-and-under division at the Pennsylvania Golf Association Championship, which concluded Tuesday at Hershey Country Club.
Rinker shot a two-day total of 77-75-152 and finished four strokes ahead of Scranton's Dave Pompey.
The field included 12 golfers from across the state, but the big stage didn't bother Rinker.
"This was the biggest event I've golfed in," he said. "I was nervous going in, but not after I started playing."
Rinker, who had won three of the four Tri-State PGA junior events he'd played in so far this season, held a two-stroke lead after the first day before increasing that edge during the second round with three birdies.
Hershey Country Club includes five separate courses. Monday and Tuesday's event was held on the East Course, which is a par-71 challenge and features more than 100 bunkers and three man-made lakes.
"The course had a lot of bunkers, a lot more than Oakview (Golf Club)," said Rinker, who often plays at the course outside of Slippery Rock. "The greens had a lot of slope to them and it was tough to putt."
But Rinker was able to negotiate the course by maximizing his strengths.
"The fairways were wide and I drove the ball pretty well and hit them. I also hit a lot of greens, and when I didn't, I got up and down several times."
Rinker started both days on No. 10. One hole that sticks out for him was the 379-yard par four No. 18.
"There was water and a bunker by the hole," he said. "Both days I used a 5-iron (on the second shot), got it onto the green and two putted (to save par)."
Rinker gets tips from some knowledgeable golfers.
His father Marty is a PGA professional and he also receives monthly lessons from Mount Lebanon Municipal Golf Course pro Matt Kluck.
Rinker now has his eye on the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, which begins later this month in Pinehurst, N.C.
He certainly will head into that event with confidence.
"I probably wouldn't have been happy with third or fourth place," Rinker said of his stay in Hershey. "I went there to win."
