Local golf notebook: Rachel Rohanna qualifies for U.S. Women's Open

WPIAL Hall of Famer and two-time PIAA champion Rachel Rohanna of Waynesburg returns to the U.S. Women’s Open on May 28 at Lancaster Country Club after winning the sectional qualifier Tuesday at Shannopin Country Club.

Rohanna, who played in the LPGA Tour and Epson Tour, shot a 2-under-par 140 during a round that featured rain in the morning and blazing sun in the afternoon of the 36-hole event.

The other qualifier was professional Marissa Steen of Cincinnati, who defeated amateur and high school senior Vanessa Borovilos of Toronto in a playoff. Both shot a 1-under 141.

Rohanna shot a 2-under par 69 during the first 18 holes and was an even-par 71 during the afternoon session.

“I just felt like I played very solid,” Rohanna said in an article on the West Pennsylvania Golf Association website. “The first 18 holes I felt could’ve very easily been much lower than 2-under. All day I felt like I had nothing but 10 to 15 footers whether it was for birdie or par.

“Overall, I think I just played really smart and kind of dot-to-dot versus trying to overpower this course. I think I’ve learned you can’t really do that.”

Rohanna has plenty experience playing Shannopin, which has hosted U.S. Women’s Open qualifiers as well as the West Penn Open in 2020.

The Greene County native last played in the Open five years ago. She’s looking forward to this year’s because she’ll be with her two daughters and husband.

Former Penguin heads local qualifier

Nick Sorkin, who spent time with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, won the U.S. Open Local Qualifier at Sewickley Heights Golf Club on Thursday.

Sorkin, from Rockville, Md., shot a 5-under 66. Beau Titsworth of Avon Lake, Ohio, was second with a 3-under 68. Tying for third were Pittsburgh native Mike Van Sickle and Derek Bard, each shooting a 1-under 70. Bard is from New Hartford, N.Y.

All four advanced to the U.S. Open Sectionals on June 3.

Two other area players have qualified: Peters Township grad Jake Solon, who shot a 68 at Parkersburg Country Club in W.Va., on April 29 and Sewickley Academy grad John Aber, who shot a 69 at Brookside Golf and Country Club in Ohio on June 30.

Central Catholic grad Neil Shipley, who played in the Masters, is exempt into the sectional qualifier.

College teammates win Brand Foursomes

Jack Urban and Zander Gibson, who play at Eastern Michigan, shot a 2-under 138 to win the WPGA 70th Fred Brand Foursome Championship Monday at Longue Vue Country Club.

Arnie Cutrell and Jeff Hovanec claimed the 29th Semple Century Foursome Championship, shooting 2-over. Cutrell is a Hannastown Golf Club member, and Hovanec is a member at Greensburg Country Club.

Tri-State Amateur begins May 16

The Tri-State Amateur Championship, a 36-hole event, will be May 16 at Hannastown Golf Club.

The field of 78 features some of the top amateur players in Western Pa. Includedare Sean Knapp, Darin Kowalski, Jimmy Meyers, Austin Lemieux, Brady Pevarnik, Rick Stimmel, Kevin Fajt, Nick and Alex Turowski and David Fuhrer II.

The defending champion is Cheswick’s Matt Mattioli, who defeated Pittsburgh’s Kevin Bove in a playoff.

Both players shot a 5-over 149 at Quicksilver Golf Course.