Goetz, Jackson come up short in NCAA Regional tournament

West Virginia senior Mark Goetz and Notre Dame sophomore Palmer Jackson played well at the NCAA Division I Regionals last week.

Goetz fell one spot short of winning the regional and advancing to the NCAA championship during final round at The Sagamore Golf Club in Noblesville, Ind.

Goetz and Cole Bradley of Purdue were tied at 8-under-par through 16 holes in the final round, but Bradley forged ahead a birdie on No. 17 to take a one-shot lead and went on to win the regional by two strokes over Goetz.

“I’m so proud of Mark,” WVU coach Sean Covich said. “He played great this week. He’s always been talented, but he has matured these past two seasons and has developed into one of the best players in the country. The reason he has success is because of his preparation and his process.”

After shooting a 2-over 74 and ranking 33rd on Day 1, Goetz charged on moving day to a tie for fourth place with a 6-under 66 on Tuesday. In the final round, the Greensburg native and Kiski School grad shot a 4-under 68. Goetz finished second among 72 golfers with an 8-under 208.

Goetz recorded 14 birdies and two eagles during the three rounds.

“I’m so excited about next year’s team with Mark coming back for a fifth season,” Covich said. “I know we didn’t have the team here this week, but Mark felt like he was playing for us all, sending a message of what to expect out of the Mountaineers next season.”

Jackson led the Irish by placing 12th with an even-par 216.

Notre Dame tied for the second-lowest score over the final round, firing off a 1-over par 289.

Jackson climbed an impressive 18 spots in the standings when he fired a final round 3-under 69. He carded six birdies on the day.

Wareham wins Isaly’s event

Franklin Regional senior Michael Wareham shot a 2-under 69 to with the Tri-State PGA Section Isaly’s tournament at Oakbrook Golf Course in Stoystown.

He edged out Glenshaw’s Wes Warden and Leechburg’s Cole Villa, each of whom an even-par 71 in the 17-18 division.

Wareham’s teammate, Nolan Shilling, won the 15-16 division by shooting a 3-over 74, and Pittsburgh’s Mike Quallich took the 11-14 division by shooting an 80.

Erie’s Natalie Brosig continued to dominate the girls 16-18 division, shooting a 6-over 77.

The girls 11-15 division winner was Venetia’s Ellie Benson, who shot 82.

Boros/Van Sickle win Pro-Pro

The pairing of Joe Boros and Mike Van Sickle breezed to the Tri-State PGA Section Pro-Pro Championship on May 17 at Diamond Run Golf Club.

The duo shot a two-round total of 10-under 130. Placing second at 133 were Adam Corson and Daniel Rodgers.

The Grove City Pro-Am was won by the foursome of Boros, Rich Wonsettler, Bob Pasko and Casey Crawford at 16-under.

WPGA crowns two winners

The West Penn Golf Association hosted two events May 17 at Longue Vue Club.

Neal Shipley and Jack Steve shot an even-par 140 to win the 67th Fred Brand Foursome

Perry Graciano and Jim Crawford combined to shot a 7-over 147 to win the 26th Semple Bothers Foursome Championship.

The 121st WPGA Amateur Championship qualifier was held at Hickory Heights Golf Club, with Mark Cimarolli taking medalists honors at 2-under 70.

The other qualifiers were Steven Veydt, Rob Cimarolli, Brent Colella, Nathan Platt, Tim Novic, Michael Wareham, Brian DePaul, Luke Lestini, Scott Jordan, Weston Warden, Angelo Sestili, Willie Hoover and Jon Pratkanis.

The Amateur is July 12 and 13 at Indiana Country Club.

This week

The Tri-State PGA heads to Hannastown Golf Club for the Pro-Scratch event.

The WPGA Amateur qualifier will be Thursday at The Country Club of Meadville.