Men’s and women’s U.S. Open qualifiers begin

By: Paul Schofield
Monday, May 2, 2022 | 4:06 PM

Local qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open begins Tuesday in Western Pennsylvania at Shannopin Country Club.

That’s where 50 women will compete for three spots for this year’s tournament June 2-5 at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C.

Heading the list is LPGA pro Rachel Rohanna, a Waynesburg High School grad. Other local entries include the Rugola sisters (Adena and Danae) of Uniontown, Paige Scott of Butler, Caroline Wrigley of North Allegheny, Christina Lewis of North Allegheny, Caroline McConnell of South Fayette and Lindsey Powanda of Mt. Lebanon.

The mens’ qualifier will be May 11 at Butler Country Club where 78 golfers will compete for five spots. The same day, the West Virginia Golf Association will host a qualifier at Stonewall Jackson Resort near Roanoke, W.Va.

The senior mens’ qualifier will be May 18 at Indiana Country Club. There are 84 golfers competing for two spots. Among the group is former PGA player Joey Sindelar. Sean Knapp and David Brown also are in the field.

Smith named Walker Cup captain

The USGA picked Mike McCoy, of Des Moines, Iowa, to captain the USA Team for the 2023 Walker Cup Match on the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland, and Nathan Smith of Pittsburgh as the captain of the USA Team for the 2025 Walker Cup Match at Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, Calif.

“Both Mike and Nathan have long, exceptional histories with the USGA and outstanding amateur golf resumes,” said Stu Francis, USGA president.

McCoy, 59, won the 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, becoming the second-oldest champion in the event’s history at age 50.

Smith, 43, has won four U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships (2003, ‘09, ‘10, ‘12) as well as the inaugural 2015 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship, with partner Todd White. His four U.S. Mid-Amateur victories are a championship record, one more than Jay Sigel, a fellow Pennsylvanian who competed in a USA-record nine Walker Cups.

He has competed in 48 USGA championships and played on three consecutive Walker Cup Teams (2009, ‘11, ‘13), earning the clinching point in the 2013 USA victory at the National Golf Links of America in Southampton, N.Y.

His first Mid-Amateur win in 2003 at Wilmington (Del.) Country Club made him the youngest champion at age 25.

“Historically, I understand that there is no greater honor than being named captain of the USA Walker Cup Team,” Smith said. “I am ecstatic at the opportunity to lead this team at such a historic and storied venue. Providing the winning point for the USA during the 2013 match is a memory I will never forget, and that accomplished feeling is something I’m focused on providing for the team in 2025.”

Pa. Golf schedule

The 2022 Pennsylvania State Golf Association’s 2022 schedule began with the 81st George Dressler Memorial Championship (April 26-27 at Berkshire Country Club) and concludes with the third Women’s Four-Ball Championship (Sept. 26-27 at Westmoreland Country Club).

The 109th Pennsylvania Amateur Championship will take place July 25-27 at Llanerch Country Club. This year’s 106th Open Championship heads to Longue Vue Club on Aug. 8-10.

The 29th Middle-Amateur Championship rounds out the major slate Sept. 19-20 at Country Club of Scranton.

For seniors, the second Senior Open Championship is ongoing at Valley Brook Country Club, and the 63rd Senior Amateur Championship tees off Aug. 1-2 at Schuylkill Country Club.

In the junior ranks, the boys and girls championships again are set for Hershey Country Club on June 27-28.

The women’s championships also will be held at some premier venues. The 86th Women’s Amateur Championship gets going Aug. 1-3 at Lancaster Country Club, also the site of the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open.

For Seniors, the second Women’s Senior Match Play tees off May 9 and 10 at Carlisle Country Club.

Local tournaments

WPGA: 62nd WPGA Boys Championship is June 6 at Latrobe Elks; 119th WPGA Open Championship is June 20-22 at The Club at Nevillewood; 102nd WPGA Junior Championship is July 7 at Windber CC; 122nd WPGA Amateur Championship is July 18-19 at Butler CC; 15th WPGA Women’s Amateur at July 20-21 at Allegheny CC; and 2022 C.R. Miller Match Play is Aug 3-4 at Latrobe CC

TRI-STATE PGA: Tri-State Amateur at Indiana CC May 26; Tri-State Open at Southpointe GC July 6-7; Frank B Fuhrer Jr. Invitational at Pittsburgh Field Club June 27-29; Women’s Tri-State Amateur July 14 at Green Oaks; and Pittsburgh Open Aug. 1-2 at St. Clair CC.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.