PT’s Bruce moves on after odd finish at Nemacolin
Peters Township’s Hunter Bruce hits on a shot on the 11th fairway Tuesday afternoon during at WPIAL AAA Golf Individual Championships at Nemacolin Country Club.
Peters Township’s Hunter Bruce putts Tuesday afternoon during the WPIAL AAA Golf Individual Championships at Nemacolin Country Club.
Upper St. Clair’s Jack Steve putts on the 12th green Tuesday afternoon while Seneca Valley’s Adam Bushee awaits his turn during the WPIAL AAA Boys Golf Individual Championships at Nemacolin Country Club.
Upper St. Clair’s Jack Steve putts on the 17th green Tuesday afternoon during the WPIAL AAA Boys Golf Individual Championships at Nemacolin Country Club.
BEALLSVILLE – Hunter Bruce won a playoff for the final qualifying spot in the WPIAL Class AAA Golf Championship without swinging a club.
Bruce, a senior at Peters Township High School, advanced to the PIAA West Region Tournament at Tom’s Run Golf Course when Amani Dambrosia of Fox Chapel did not arrive for his tee time in time and was dropped to alternate status.
Chris Sabol of Moon and Brady Pevarnik of Latrobe went into a playoff for the title after both shot even-par 70 on the 6,307-yard pristine course at Nemacolin Country Club Tuesday afternoon. Sabol defeated Pevarnik on the first playoff hole, parring the 393-yard No. 1.
The top 14 advanced to the PIAA Class AAA West Region Tournament at Tom’s Run Golf Club in Blairsville Monday, Oct. 16.
Bruce, who finished eighth in last year’s WPIAL Championship at Oakmont Country Club, hovered around 5th to 9th place most of the round. But Bruce played the final four holes at 5-over.
“My back nine was good but I made a stupid double (bogey) on 12,” Bruce said. “My last four holes really hurt me. I need to work on my putting a little more.”
Bruce’s score on the par-4 17th was originally recorded as a five on the online scroll provided for the viewing public on the WPIAL web page. But Bruce actually scored a double-bogey six on the 357-yard hole.
“You have to remember, the scroll is not official,” said PT head coach Dave Kuhn. “Whatever is on that is unofficial. That’s more for parents and people who can’t be here. What’s official is what’s on the scorecard and what gets verified at the scorer’s table.”
Kuhn said his golfers never leave a tournament early.
“I’ve been doing this for 21 years and all I can say is what we do,” he said. “My players are staying until the end. I had two players who didn’t play their best but they stayed for two reasons. No. 1, to support a teammate, and No. 2, our policy is to stay to end and congratulate their opponent.”
Bruce’s score on his card was correct, a six, but the scroll showed a five. When changed, Bruce dropped from a tie for ninth to a tie for the 14th and final qualifying berth for the region tournament.
Dambrosia had left the course and was called back when the WPIAL officials determined a playoff was needed for 14th place. Dambrosia arrived too late to the tee box.
In one of the most courageous efforts of the day, Shaler senior Tanner Grzegorczyk shot a 2-over 72, tied for third place and did it with a fractured right ankle. Grzegorczyk suffered the injury during a soccer match against North Allegheny Friday – he plays both sports – and walked the hilly course with a soft cast.
“I kicked the ball and my ankle just bent in half,” said Grzegorczyk, a forward. “It was tough getting around. The first couple holes I was on medications so it wouldn’t hurt. On the back nine, it wore off and the pain was progressively worse. It didn’t matter. I wasn’t going to stop.”
Jack Steve of Upper St. Clair led the tournament through 12 holes, but like Bruce, dropped off at the end. He bogeyed three of the final five holes and finished tied for fifth with a 3-over 73.
“I was having trouble with my 6-iron all day,” said Steve, a senior who is making his first trip to the regional tournament. “If I could have hit that better, I would have played better.”
Parker Johnson shot 86 and Michael Bell 87 for Peters Township and did not advance.
Defending champion Gregor Myer of Fox Chapel finished tied for ninth.