Mason leads Pennsylvania Amateur heading into final round

31 Jul 2012
by Pennsylvania Golf Association
see also: Pennsylvania Amateur Championship, Huntingdon Valley Country Club, Andrew Mason Rankings
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Andrew Mason

Springfield, PA (July 31, 2012) – After two rounds of play at the 99th Amateur Championship, a familiar face is leading the charge. Returning champion Andrew Mason leads the field at 134, 6–under par.

Mason’s second round however, did not start off easily. After a bogey on his first hole (#10, par 3, 244-yards), Mason quickly regained his focus and went on to birdie 12 (par 4, 361 -yards) & 13 (par 4, 442 –yards). With a disappointing bogey on 18 (par 4, 493 –yards), Mason finished with an even par round, and 6–under for the tournament.

The second round was not only difficult for Mason, however. Nathan Smith would begin his second round on the 10th tee and would double bogey. Needing to make up more ground on Mason, Smith birdied the 12th, but then promptly gave it back with a bogey on the 13th. Another birdie on the 15th (par 4, 384 –yards), and Smith would turn at 1–over, 35. Unable to gain anymore ground on Mason, Smith would settle for a 137 and a spot in the lead group in the final round.

Joining Mason & Smith in the final group is Brandon Dalinka. Dalinka, a PAGA Individual Member, played his second round consistently and ended his first two rounds with a 138, 2 –under par. After a bogey free front nine, Dalinka would go out trying to gain ground on Smith and Mason. Dalinka would bogey the 3rd (par 3, 175 –yards) & 6th (par 3, 207 –yards) to fall further back of the leaders. Knowing he needed to get those lost strokes back, Dalinka birdied two of his last three holes to bring his second round to even par, and earn a spot in the lead group.

Also making a charge in the second round was Anthony DeGol. DeGol, of Scotch Valley Country Club, started 9 shots off of Mason’s lead, but carded an impressive 5–under, 65 in his second round to put himself back in the championship discussion. DeGol’s second round saw one bogey (13th hole), 4 birdies, and an eagle on the 7th (par 5, 501 –yards).

The final round begins Wednesday at 7:30 am at Rolling Green Golf Club. The top 40 players made the 36-hole cut, and will play 18 holes on Wednesday. The lead group will begin at 8:50am off of the 1st tee.

ABOUT THE Pennsylvania Amateur

First played in 1909, the Pennsylvania Amateur is 54- hole stroke play event open to any male amateur golfer who is a member of a club belonging to the Pennsylvania Golf Association. Non exempt players must qualify through a sectional qualifying event a month prior. There will be a cut to the low 40 and ties after the second round.