Tri-State Section PGA Open Championship begins Monday

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, June 2, 2024 | 6:43 PM

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The last two winners of the annual Tri-State Section PGA Open Championship have been amateurs — Rick Stimmel in 2023 and Bret Young in 2022.

Will that trend continue at Southpointe Golf Club?

Only eight amateurs have won the Open since it began in 1963. The others were Sean Knapp in 2017, Stan Namola Jr. in 2016, Nathan Smith in 2013, Jon Smarrelli in 2007, Ralph Litrenta in 1994 and Jack Moore in 1971.

The two-day tournament begins Monday with the Top 60 golfers and ties advancing to Tuesday’s final round.

The last professional to win was Kevin Shields in 2021. The three-time champion, however, is not entered in the tournament.

Darin Kowalski, who won the Tri-State Amateur at Hannastown Golf Club last month, is entered in the tournament along with Stimmel.

The Tri-State’s leading point scorer this season, Rob McClellan, is entered in the tournament.

Smith advances to U.S. Senior Open

Indiana’s David Smith made his final round at Indiana Country Club memorable.

Smith, who is moving to Charleston, S.C., qualified for his first U.S. Senior Open by winning the qualifier Thursday at Indiana Country Club. Smith was a member at Indiana for more than 30 years.

He shot a 1-under-par 70 to earn the top spot at the qualifier.

Gordon Vietmeier earned the other qualifier, while Kevin Shields finished as first alternate.

The U.S. Senior Open is June 27-30 at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island.

Mailey Memorial set

The Latrobe Elks will play host to the Tom Mailey Memorial Junior Golf Tournament on June 14.

The tournament is free to all youths (male or female) 18 and younger. It is an 18-hole event.

There are three divisions (Senior 17-18), Junior (15-16) and 14-and-younger.

Those interested should contact the Elks Pro Shop at 724-539-1582.

In 1957, Mailey won the Elks’ youth tournament, which was named the Pepsi-Cola Jaycees Junior Golf Tournament. It was renamed in 1968.

Mailey was a 1958 graduate of Greater Latrobe High School and 1962 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was killed in a vehicle accident in 1964.

His brother Patrick won the inaugural tournament in 1968 by shooting a 68.

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.