Golf action heats up on local courses

The end of July was a busy time for our local golf courses, with many tournaments and activities. Here’s a look at what’s been happening:

Philipsburg Elks

Two of the most anticipated events on the Philipsburg Elks Club golf schedule took place in the last two weeks — The Fish Open and the Walter Swope Memorial Tournament.

The Fish Open is one of the biggest pro-am tournaments in the state, and this year was the 28th edition of the event started by Elks head pro Paul Fischer in 1996.

Since then, it has grown into a “must attend” event with a packed field and a long list of sponsors. 

This year, the Open featured a capacity of 136 golfers that included 14 professionals, who represented 23 clubs from around the state.

The format was individual gross and net scores and a team “uno-dos-tres” competition in which one player’s score, also gross and net, counted on the par fives, two on the par fours and three on the par threes.

This year’s overall gross winner was Trent Miller from Belles Springs Golf Club, who shot a five-under 65. It was Miller’s fourth win in the event after wins in 2016, 2018 and 2020. 

He was followed by Tim Harner, pro from Hershey Country Club, who shot 67 and Todd Homan from Park Hills, who finished with a 69.

Michael Aument from Nittany Country Club won the net division with a 6-under 64, and he was followed by Johnny Harpster from Philipsburg Elks with a 65 and Trent Miller with a 65.

Bo Sankey (who shot his age, 75, for the tournament), Andrew Mann and Fred Lucas, all from the Philipsburg Elks, rounded out the top six.

The team of Troy Monahan, Damian Williams, Greg Ferguson and Andrew Ferguson won the gross Uno-Dos-Tres with a 5-under 135, while the team of Ryan DelBaggio, Todd Holman, JP Shultz and Artie Fink tied for second with Jordan Wise, Steve Searer, Tre Fleck and Ryan Kanaske. Both teams were in with 3-under 137s.

In the net division, Andrew Mann, Hayden Hayward, Tyler Martin and Mike Horton from the Elks took first place with a 21-under 119.

Carter Fischer, Peyton Guelich, Nate Wood and Johnny Harpster took second with a -19, 121.

There were many other prizes and awards, and the tournament was played in perfect weather at the Elks Club.

“All in all, I think the tournament was another successful event,” Fischer said. “This is one the more unique pro-am events where amateurs are playing directly against the professionals.

“Couldn’t have asked for a better day weather wise, and everybody had a great time.” 

Last weekend, on July 29 and 30, the club held its annual Walter Swope Memorial Tournament.

This tournament was a straight gross score over 36 holes, with six men’s flights and a ladies’ alternate shot/shamble team event.

The championship flight was won by Matt Johnson with a score of +2, 144, and he was followed by Pat Brown with a +4, 146.

Nate Lucas had a 147, Brad Brown a 148 and Oliver Harpster shot 151.

Josh Muir and Eddie Moyer won the first flight with scores of 156, while Alan Herr won the second flight, Terry Smith the third, Jake Lucas the fourth and Zach Reiner the fifth.

Cathy Greenland and Carol Lucas won ladies’ division with 139 total, followed by Georgianne Way and Nancy Moskel with a 145.

Penn State Blue and White

The Penn State University Golf Courses hosted a Hurricane Junior Golf Tour College Prep Series event on the Blue Course on July 29 and 30.

The tournament was for boys and girls from all over the country playing in four divisions: boys, 16-18; boys 14-15; boys, 11-13; and girls, 14-18.

Michael Lugiano from Shavertown won the boys 16-18 division with rounds of 67 and 65, 132, and he was followed by Connor McKenzie from Pittsburgh who shot 71, 69 for a 140.

In the boys 14-15 division, Luke McGraw from Boalsburg was the winner with rounds of 72-73, 145. It was McGraw’s eighth Top 2 finish in 11 starts in the HJGT. 

Zach Lederer from Toronto, Canada, took the boys 11-13 division with a 78-77, 155.

In the girls 14-18, Emily Renoff took honors with a 159. It was Renoff’s sixth Top 10 finish in 2023.

The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour was founded in 2007 and sponsors tournaments for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 18. The HJGT holds tournaments all over the country, and players earn points throughout the season toward year-end honors.

Toftrees Resort

The Toftrees Resort and Golf Club announced the playing of the 18th Annual EF “Pat” Houser Golf Tournament on Aug. 21 at 8 am at the Club.

The tournament benefits the Skills Foundation and will use the shamble format, in which each golfer in a group tees off and the group chooses the best shot. From there, each player plays his or her own ball.

There will be raffles and contests throughout the day, including a hole-in-one contest sponsored by Joel Confer Auto Outlet. There will also be longest putt, closest to the pin and longest drive winners.

There will be a silent auction and a grand prize drawing for a free beach house rental in Ocean Isle, North Carolina.

The Skills Foundation assists people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those recovering from mental health challenges.

The tournament in 2022 raised over $46,000 for the foundation.