Rick Stimmel was the medalist during the qualifying round at the 17th annual R. Jay Sigel State Amateur Match Play tournament at the Country Club of York on Monday.
But match play is a different animal.
After breezing to a win in the Round of 16, the Pittsburgh native found himself in a big hole during the quarterfinals.
Stimmel showed his mettle, battled back from 3 down and rallied for a 3 and 2 win against Brandon Raihl of Hartefeld National.
He defeated Austin Barbin of Loch Nairn Golf Club, 4 and 3, in the morning round.
Stimmel was 3 down twice during the front nine, but things started to change on No. 8 with a birdie.
He then won five of seven holes on the back nine and finished off the match on No. 16.
He will face Max Siegfried of Aronimink Golf Club in the semifinals.
Brett Young of Nemacolin Country Club also reached the semifinals. He defeated Mark Goetz of Hannastown Golf Club, 3 and 2, in the morning and then downed Pinecrest Country Club’s Nathan Smith, 5 and 4, in the afternoon.
He’ll face Joshua Ryan of The 1912 Club in the semifinals.
Other local golfers to fall in the morning were Hannastown’s Gregor Meyer (Fox Chapel), Indiana’s Kyle Grube and Upper St. Clair’s Louis Olsakovsky.
Smith won his morning match, defeating Chambersburg’s Scott Kegerreis, 3 and 2.
Pennsylvania Golf Association
R. Jay Sigel Amatur Match Play
Round of 16
Rick Stimmel d. Austin Barbin, 4 and 3.
Brandon Raihl d. Ambrose Abbracciamento, 4 and 3.
Max Siegfriend d. Michael Brown Jr., 2 and 1
Tug Maude d. Kyle Grube, 2 and 1
Brett Young d. Mark Goetz, 3 and 2
Nathan Smith d. Scott Kegerreis, 3 and 2
Garrett Engle d. Gregor Meyer, 5 and 4
Joshua Ryan d. Louis Olakovskym 4 and 3
Round of 8
Stimmel d. Raihl, 3 and 2
Siegfriend d. Maude, 1 up
Young d. Smith, 5 and 4
Ryan d. Engle, 4 and 3
