Schmidt nails 1st hole-in-one, surges to finish Sunnehanna Amateur

JOHNSTOWN — Peters Township’s Connor Schmidt simply ran out of holes Friday during the final round of the 67th Sunnehanna Amateur.

The Drexel senior, who carded his first hole-in-one, made a run on the back nine and finished the four-day tournament at Sunnehanna Country Club tied for fourth at 9-under-par 271. He shot a 5-under 65 during the final round.

Preston Summerhays, 18, wasn’t supposed to play in the event. He was scheduled to defend his USGA Junior title. But when the United States Golf Association cancelled the event, he picked Sunnehanna.

The Arizona State commitment also shot a 65 during the final round and ended with a 14-under 266. Summerhays’ dad, Boyd, is his instructor.

Travis Vick turned in quite a final round, shooting a 7-under 63, and finished second at 11-under. Trey Winstead placed third at 10-under followed by Schmidt and Brandon Mancheno at 9-under.

“I was kind of playing average golf, hitting greens and two-putting,” Schmidt said. “I changed up my glove right before the hole, and I got my first ace ever. I was hitting good shots on the range with the glove so I switched for good vibes.

“It worked out. It hit three feet behind the cup and spun in. After that I got a nice birdie on No. 11 and kept rolling.”

Birdies on 13 and 15 got him to 9-under. He just missed birdies on the final three holes.

“When I saw Preston at 12-under, I just tried to make birdies,” Schmidt said. “When I won the state amateur here two years ago, I did the exact same thing. I shot even on the front and 30 on the back. I knew I could go low on the back.”

Unfortunately for Schmidt, Summerhays matched his low round.

Greensburg native Mark Goetz had a strong tournament. He shot a 3-under 67 on the final round and finished tied for 11th at 6-under 274.

“I’m satisfied for most parts with my finish,” Goetz said. “I’ve made some strides in my game this week. There are things I’m working on with management and mental toughness. You have to play in tournaments to understand where you’re at.”

Goetz strung together three consecutive birdies (Nos. 8, 9 and 10) and got to 6-under with a birdie on 15. He finished with a bogey on No. 17 after a bad tee shot and a birdie on No. 18.

“It was a good week,” Goetz said. “I had a good pace all week with my routine and everything. I’ve been working with a couple different people the last couple weeks, and I think it’s paid off. I’m headed in the right direction.”

Murrysville’s Palmer Jackson shot a 1-over par 71 in the final round and finished tied for 31st at even par. Jackson’s group, along with five other groups, had to replay No. 10 after the tournament committee deemed the pin placement unplayable. The pin was moved off a severe slope.

Jackson has been bothered by a groin injury that he said may require surgery.

The Notre Dame sophomore said the injury isn’t a bother while playing, but it has limited his practice time.

Jackson and Schmidt continue their tournament play in Carmel, Ind., next week at the Western Amateur.

Goetz said he’s preparing for the Pennsylvania Golf Association’s Open at Oakmont in August.

Fox Chapel’s Gregor Meyers tied for 61st by shooting his second consecutive 3-over 73 and finishing at 5-over 285.