Amateur assault
PINE TWP, Mercer County — It wasn't easy for Sean Knapp to describe his latest outing on the golf course.
The St. Jude Golf Club member and Oakmont resident shot an even-par 71-71—142, good for fifth place out of 55 at the USGA Amateur Qualifier at Grove City Country Club on Monday.
Knapp shot a combined 7-under par on the back nine in the two-round event, but went 7-over par on the front nine.
“I teed off on No. 10 to start this morning and was strong through the first nine holes at 3-under,” Knapp said. “I thought I hit the ball well overall today, but had some freaky things happen on the front nine both times.”
David Brown (Pittsburgh), C.G. Mercatoris (Brookville) and David DeNunzio (Jeannette) each finished the two-round event tied for first at 139.
Only two golfers from Monday's field are allowed to advance to the U.S. Amateur Championship at Erin Hills Golf Club in Wisconsin later this month, and DeNunzio fell to an alternate spot after losing to Brown and Mercatoris in a playoff.
Other competitors from the area included Grove City resident Jack Cline (71-73-144) and recent Grove City High graduate Ryan Prokay (76-76-152).
Knapp had qualified for 14 previous U.S. Amateur Championships, but fell a bit short this time around.
“I actually think I played as well, if not better today than I did in some of the years that I made it to the championship,” he said. “It's a crapshoot. There's a real fine line between qualifying and not qualifying.
“On my last nine today, I was thinking that 141 might have an outside shot of making it, but there's just too many good golfers out here,” he added.
Cline and Prokay are both very familiar with the links at Grove City Country Club.
Cline is a member there and has been taking swings on the course for 30 years while Prokay was a four-year member of the Grove City High golf team, which calls the course home.
“There are a lot of risk/reward options on this course,” said Cline. “I was hoping to shoot under par and fell a bit short of that, but I'm pleased I finished as high as I did (12th). It was a very strong field. I hit my irons pretty well today.”
Cline had played in five previous amateur qualifiers.
“I entered today just because it's my home course,” he said. “And with me being 52, this was probably my last chance.”
Prokay, who will next golf for the men's team at Robert Morris University, was hoping for a stronger showing in his first U.S. Amateur qualifier.
“I was looking forward to coming in here since I know the course so well,” he said. “I figured two 68s or 69s would have a good shot at moving on. I am disappointed.
“My goal was to stay aggressive and I was for the most part,” he added. “I had been putting well, but didn't today.”
