Aug 1, 2003 By Jim Downey 5 min read

The rain had picked up intensity by the time Brian Galica finished his round Thursday, but that didn’t stop the Laurel Highlands graduate from finishing with a 2-under-par 69, tying fellow Mustang grad Brandon Katzeff for the first-round lead of the Fayette County Open. A light, steady rain fell on the final six groups, four threesomes and two foursomes, but a gap developed with the final two groups so the last eight golfers had to contend with a downpour for the final five or six holes at Uniontown Country Club.

The No. 18 green was under water by the time defending champion Pat Calvaresi, Marty Kurta, Chris Shal and Tom Battaglia hit their off the tee on the par-3. Standing water was so bad that Calvaresi opted to chip in lieu of hydroplaning a 30-foot putt.

Galica got off to a fast start with three birdies and a bogey on the first four holes, and then parred out the front nine to finish with a 33. His game started to slide away from him on No. 11 when he “made a great bogey,” and slipped away a bit more on No. 13 when he couldn’t find his drive in the tall grass and had to take a lost ball.

The Indiana University of Pa. sophomore golfer gathered himself to birdie Nos. 15 and 16, both for par fours, to come in with a 36.

“I hit the ball well on the back nine, except for the two holes. I made some putts. I played steady, not too up and down,” Galica said.

Today’s second round will be played at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Bullskin Township with the final two rounds at Duck Hollow Golf Club on Saturday and Sunday. Galica is familiar with both courses from his days as a member of the Laurel Highlands golf team.

“I feel confident with these courses. I have some knowledge of playing the courses,” Galica said.

“I just started playing well the last couple weeks. I hope I keep going through the final three rounds.”

Katzeff left the course wanting, knowing he could have posted a score two or three shots lower. The 2003 Laurel Highlands graduate needed only 29 putts in his round, including a pair of three-putts.

“My score could’ve been a lot better, but I’m not complaining. My putter stuck out the most. It was the difference in my score,” Katzeff said.

One example where Katzeff gave away a shot or two was on No. 8, a par-5. He was on in two, but three-putted for a par.

The Marshall University recruit also feels good about his chances to stay in contention for the championship. He, like Galica, is familiar with the home courses of Connellsville (Pleasant Valley C.C.) and his alma mater (Duck Hollow G.C.).

“I feel solid. I’ve been working hard this summer with Pat Calvaresi,” Katzeff said. “There are a lot of great players.”

Almost half the field of 35 golfers is within 10 strokes of Galica and Katzeff, including Calvaresi (73) and seven-time champion John Kingora (75).

George Knapp was the leader in the clubhouse for a while with a one-over-par 72. Knapp had a consistent round, going out in 36 and finishing with a 36.

“I took advantage of my home course,” said Knapp, a member at Uniontown Country Club. “I stayed out of trouble. I putted well. The only three-putt I had was on No. 14 for par after I hit the green in two (shots).”

Knapp birdied Nos. 4, 9 and 12, saving his best drive of the day to lead into his final birdie of the day on No. 12. He nearly shot an even-par round, but missed a two-foot putt for birdie on No. 17 and had to settle for par.

Knapp enjoys the competition, citing the threesome he played in and the fact he’s one of a select group to play in every Open.

“I had a lot of fun. I had a nice group of guys to play with,” Knapp said of Jeff Miller and Chris Bonchosky. “I give anyone a lot of respect who plays in this and posts a score. I was in the final group a couple years ago and puckered up to I know what it’s like.”

Matt Pramuk held the clubhouse lead for a little bit, firing a 75 to remain in contention after the first round.

“It was an in-between 75. It wasn’t something you’d watch on television. I was putting good, but my driver was all over the place,” Pramuk said. “I had some luck on a couple holes. I had one chip and one putt, I killed it and it hit the stick. I just got lucky.”

A Tri-Valley High School and California University of Pa. graduate, Pramuk didn’t have the opportunity to play competitive scholastic golf, but, if he sticks to his game, he feels he can make a run.

“My competitive rounds of golf are miniscule. I’m not long off the tee. My game is fairways and greens. If I don’t, I won’t score,” Pramuk said.

Mike Revak is a shot behind at 76, including a penalty shot on No. 5 for barely hitting it out of bounds.

“I didn’t finish well,” said Revak, who shot 39 on the front and 37 on the back. “I scrape it around, keep it in play. The course played tough. I wanted to shoot lower. Everybody does.”

CHIP-INS: Perennial contender (and Albert Gallatin golf coach) Bernie Wydo shot an 82. … Justin Goletz, John Lenkey and Uniontown senior Zach Rockwell all shot 75. … Dan Glover had the rebound round of the day. Glover went out in 45, but gathered himself to close with a 34 to finish with a 79.