Rohanna second in qualifier
The fourth time was the charm for Robert Rohanna. The Waynesburg Central graduate continued his strong summer of golf with a berth into the U.S. Amateur Championship on his fourth attempt by virtue of his second-place finish Thursday in the sectional qualifier hosted by Sinking Valley Country Club in Altoona.
The Penn State University senior shot a 2-under 68 in the morning session to stand in second place with the afternoon rounds waiting. In the second-to-last foursome, Rohanna knew what he had to do and got it done with a 67 for a two-round total of 135.
He had four birdies in both rounds with two bogeys in the morning session and only one in the afternoon.
Estanislao Guerrero finished a stroke better for the medalist round of 6-under 134.
The Olympic Club in San Francisco will host the U.S. Amateur Championship from Aug. 20-26.
Rohanna was preparing to play No. 17 when one of the tournament officials drove by and asked how he was doing. He knew he was ahead of the leader in the clubhouse, but also realized Guerrero was in the hunt.
“I have to make a birdie on No. 17,” Rohanna said of his approach to the next-to-last hole. “I made the birdie. I had a 10-foot birdie putt on No. 18. I missed it, but tapped in for par.
“It’s nice to finally make it (to the Amateur Championship).”
Rohanna managed to take the second and final berth of the qualifier despite not having his best day off the tee.
“I didn’t hit it that great off the tee. I putted well. I made the 3-footers I had to make,” said Rohanna. “I didn’t hit my driver to well, but my irons were solid and my chipping was fantastic.
“On the holes bad drives would’ve killed me, I hit it straight. On the other holes, I sprayed drives.”
Westmoreland Country Club hosted another qualifier on Monday, but Rohanna went to more familiar grounds in Altoona. He lost in a playoff two years on the same course.
The Pennsylvania Amateur Championship is next for Rohanna. The state tournament begins Monday, July 30 at Long Vue Club and continues through Wednesday, Aug. 1. The top 40 and ties after the second round advance.