Peters Township’s Bruce 6th in WPIAL golf
OAKMONT – Gregor Meyer did the unthinkable in the WPIAL Class AAA Golf Championships Tuesday afternoon.
He tamed Oakmont Country Club’s famed course.
Yes, the same golf course that is known for its gangly rough, lightning-fast greens and interesting pin placements.
The sophomore from Fox Chapel, who failed to qualify for this event last year, was sitting at 3-under par through the first nine and finished at 1-under 70 on the 6,462-yard course that hosted the U.S. Open this summer.
Meyer was the last qualifier to emerge from the semifinals at Hannastown Golf Club in Greensburg last week, squeezing in with a 76.
“This was the best round of my career,” said Meyer, who had three birdies and two bogeys. “I came here to watch the Open this year and followed Dustin Johnson. I got to know the course a little better.”
Meyer sank two 60-foot putts, both on the par threes – Nos. 6 and 8 – and dropped another birdie putt on No. 9 to make the turn in 33. That helped him withstand stumbles on two par-4s, the 15th and 17th, that produced bogeys.
“I got my shots close (to the pin),” he said. “I played really well.”
Only one local golfer – Peters Township’s Hunter Bruce – was in the field of 14 qualifiers to the PIAA West Region Tournament Oct. 17 at Tom’s Run Golf Course in Blairsville.
Bruce’s teammate, J.W. Cunningham, finished tied for 15th place with Luke Minsky of North Allegheny. Cunningham, a senior, won a playoff with Minsky to be the alternate. A qualifier would have to pull out of the regional tournament for Cunningham to be able to compete at Tom’s Run.
Bruce was the defending WPIAL champion but struggled on the front nine with four bogeys to finish with 39. He played better on the back nine and finished at 5-over 76, tied for sixth place.
“I didn’t play my best but I played well enough to get through,” said Bruce, a senior. “That’s all I wanted. I’m excited, happy to get through to the next round.”
Bruce played Oakmont last August and had a practice round Sunday leading up to this event.
“The greens were very, very slow on Sunday,” he said. “They had not been cut. They were only 10 or 11 (on the Stimpmeter). Today they were 12 or 13. I like them fast.”
Bruce said he felt some pressure coming into the event as defending champion.
“But once I got out off the first tee, it all disappeared,” he said.
Cunningham had a horrible start, sending his tee shot on No. 1 into the woods to the right of the fairway and was forced to reload. He got the second tee shot in play but ended up with a triple-bogey seven.
“After the first hole, I knew there was a chance of having to wait it out,” said Cunningham, who could not remember the last time he had a seven on a hole. “It happens. It happens to everyone. I was a little nervous; I’m not going to lie. I was playing Oakmont in the WPIAL Championships. It’s something special. I just blocked it right.”
Cunningham, who did not play in this event last year, had to return to the No. 1 tee for the first playoff hole. This time, Cunningham sent his drive down the left side of the fairway and ended up winning the hole with a par. Hinsky had a bogey-5.
“I put it in the left rough on purpose,” said Cunningham. “I’m the alternate and can get in if someone drops out, but it’s not common.”
Luke Lestini, a freshman from South Fayette, shot 90.
Jimmy Meyers of Central Catholic and Justin Griffith of Hampton tied for second place, each shooting 73s.