Katzeff near top of field in West Penn Open
FARMINGTON – Brandon Katzeff not only qualified for the final round of the 103rd West Penn Open, hosted by Mystic Rock Monday, but the Laurel Highlands grad also positioned himself for a shot at the title after finishing with a 1-over-par73. Katzeff trails a quartet of golfers who finished at 2-under 70 and eight others who shot par or better.
The Marshall University golfer started at No. 10, going out in 34 with three birdies and a bogey. He played the front nine, his final nine holes, in 39, with three bogeys and no birdies.
Katzeff bogeyed No. 16, a par-5, but finished his first front nine with a pair of pars to give him momentum. He finished strong with three birdies in his final five holes.
“Getting par on Nos. 17 and 18 was a good turning point for me,” Katzeff said. “I one-putted all three of the final holes on my back nine. I made a great 8-footer to make par on No. 7, then I went birdie, birdie.”
Katzeff trails some notable names heading into today’s final round.
John Aber, 1999 champion, Sean Knapp, Al Hromulak and Dan Thompson all shot 2-under 70s.
Thompson, playing his first competitive round of the summer, said his day could have been better but wasn’t that bad. He had five birdies and two bogeys.
“I left a couple shots out there, but that’s going to happen,” said Thompson. “I just go out and try to make pars. Par on this course is good.
“I pretty much overachieved on what I though I could do.”
Also lurking among the leaders is Wexford’s Mike Van Sickle, one of western Pennsylvania’s hottest amateurs this summer.
The Marquette University golfer was the only golfer to finish at 1-under 71.
“The course was fair today. I thought someone would shoot in the mid-60s,” said Van Sickle. “I’m very surprised (to be among the leaders). My round could’ve been a 66, 67, or a 74.”
Katzeff, the defending Fayette County Open champion, like Van Sickle will get to sleep in a little with the first golfers heading off the tee bright and early at 7 a.m.
“This is an amazing golf course. It’s in great shape,” said Katzeff. “To be in contention with those great golfers, all those players are great. I’m happy to be in contention. That’s all you can ask for.”
DIVOTS: Other notable names to make the cut are former champions Bob Friend (72), Roy Vucinich (77), and Rick Stimmel (74). … Host professional Joe Nieporte shot a 4-over 76. … Van Sickle won the WPIAL championship when Mystic Rock hosted the event.