Greensburg's Mark Goetz readies for pro golf career
One chapter ended and a new one will begin for Greensburg native Mark Goetz in his golf career.
The 2021 United States Golf Association Amateur medalist ended his collegiate career by tying for 25th with teammate Logan Perkins at the Big 12 championship on April 27.
Goetz shot an 8-over-par 224 at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, Texas, and was part of WVU history, becoming one of the two golfers to finish in the Top 25 at the championship. Goetz and Perkins recorded WVU’s fifth-best scores all-time at the Big 12 championship in relation to par.
“I appreciate the hard work Mark and Logan have put into their careers at WVU,” West Virginia coach Sean Covich said. “They joined us in our third year as a program and have helped us build year by year.”
Neither golfer qualified for the NCAA regionals.
“I wasn’t worried about me qualifying, I was really hoping to advance the team,” Goetz said. “We just came up a little short. I was glad I went back for one more year.”
Goetz will spend time playing amateur tournaments before turning pro to play in the Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Invitational on June 27.
He will team up with good friend Sean Knapp in the State Four-ball Championship and play in the Sunnehanna Amateur, which begins June 15.
Then he’ll begin his pro career. Goetz does have conditional status on the PGA Tour Canada after tying for 20th at Q-School USA East in March at RTJ Golf Trail at Highland Oaks in Dothan, Ala.
“Sunnehanna will be my last amateur event,” Goetz said. “I got my start at Sunnehanna thanks to Sean (Knapp). I learned a lot playing in the Q-School event.
“I’m glad I got my feet wet. I’m excited about my future, and now I can strictly focus on my game.”
U.S. Women’s qualifiers
Waynesburg native Rachel Rohanna Virgili just missed qualifying for the 2022 Women’s U.S. Open by finishing sixth at the qualifier at Shannopin Country Club in Ben Avon Heights.
She tied for sixth with Celeste Valinho with a 2-over-par 144.
Austin Kim, a senior at Vanderbilt, was medalist with a 4-under 138. LPGA pro Marissa Steen from Cincinnati was second with a 1-under 141, while Laney Frye, a sophomore from Kentucky, grabbed the third spot after shooting an even-par 142. Frye edged first alternate Sanna Nuutinen, who carded a 142.
Rachel Kuehn is the second alternate.
Westmoreland County schedule
The 2022 Westmoreland County Golf Association schedule begins May 28 with the three-man scramble at Totteridge Golf Course.
The amateur better ball event is June 11 at Hannastown Golf Club, the Junior Amateur is June 23 at Latrobe Country Club and the Francis Driscoll Parent-Child Tournament is Aug. 20 at Mt. Odin Golf Course.
The Men’s Amateur Tournament is July 9-10 at Greensburg Country Club and the final event of the season is the Senior/Super Senior Tournament is Aug. 24 at Latrobe Country Club.
Fuhrer II tops Isaly’s Junior event
David Fuhrer II shot a 1-over-par 71 to take medalist honors at the Tri-State PGA Isaly’s Junior Tour event Saturday at Wheeling (W.Va.) Country Club.
Boys
Age 17-18: 1. Kyle Rice 75; 2. Cody Karcher 77; 3. Wes Warden 78; T4. Andrew Patsy, J.J. Hufnagel and Ethan Bryne 85.
Age 15-16: 1. Fuhrer II 71; 2. Kai Carlson 77; T3. Griffin Hansberry, Zach Ross and David Kittsley 78.
Age 11-14: 1. Faith Eckstein 78; 2. Carson Kittsley 78; 3. Jonah Schollaert 79; 4. Brady Newman 86; 5. Luke Lamb 88.
Girls
Age 16-18: 1. Lindsey Powanda 78; 2. Ava Liburdi 85; 3. Megan Manesiotis 93; 4. Graci Rygelski 94; 5. Angel Epondulan 99.
Age 11-15: 1. Brooke Vowcheck 85; 2. Lily Gedris 86; 3. Ellie Benson 87; T4 Milana Yannascoli and Emily Obara 110.
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.
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