La Salle's Acierno advances in U.S. Open qualifier

HELLERTOWN, Pa. - In his most recent visit to Silver Creek Country Club before the U.S. Open local qualifying tournament, P.J. Acierno of La Salle braved cold and windy conditions to win individual honors at last month's Lafayette Invitational.

Acierno, a redshirt junior, returned to the Lehigh Valley layout in similar conditions Monday and again found success. He fired a 4-over-par 75 to pick up one of six tickets for next month's sectional stage of qualifying for the U.S. Open.

The wind was howling from the start of play until mid-afternoon when it eased up a little, and the 88 contestants had their hands stuffed in their pockets between shots. Only 22 players broke 80 on the day over the 6,928-yard course.

Matthew Pulgini, a 16-year-old sophomore at Appoquinimink High School in Middletown, Del., gained medalist honors with a 73. Lookaway Golf Club assistant pro Michael Little advanced with a 75, as did pros Nick Tremps (74) of Willamsburg, Va., and Martin Ureta (75) of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and amateur Jason Wilson (74) of Orefield, Pa.

Competing in the day's final group, Pulgini relegated the four players who shot 76 to playing off for alternate spots. Recently graduated Temple star Brandon Matthews finished as first alternate.

Acierno shot a pair of 73s in his visit here last month. He said he hit the ball better in that tournament but putted better on Monday.

"I haven't played too much since the end of the season, with finals and the weather this past week," he said. "So it's good to get 75 out there. I probably swung it a little bit better on the back, but then a couple of bogeys late hurt."

Little, 32, who won the Philadelphia Section PGA's Delaware Valley Open last week, teed off first and said, "It was cold, it was windy, the greens were fast, and the ground was pretty wet so it was tough to control the golf ball." Nevertheless, he carded a 35 on the front nine and held on coming in.

It was another good showing for Little, who dislocated his left shoulder in January when he fell from a tree while removing Christmas lights. He said the therapy that followed "helped with my flexibility and allowed me to turn a little easier without me stressing my body too much."

Pulgini earned medalist honors by finishing with a pair of one-putt pars - 10 feet on No. 17, seven feet on No. 18.

"It was just so windy and the greens were so fast," he said. "Honestly, I wasn't even sure 73 was going to make it, but as I saw the leader board, it was pretty cool."

Matthews was 3-over for his round after a 20-foot birdie putt at the par-3 16th but found trees with his final two tee shots and wound up with bogeys on both holes.

Qualifiers

Matthew Pulgini, Middletown, Del.. . . 38-35-73

Jason Wilson, Orefield, Pa. . . . 37-37-74

Nick Tremps, Williamsburg, Va. . . . 37-37-74

Michael Little, Lansdale . . . 35-40-75

P.J. Acierno, Flourtown . . . 37-38-75

Martin Ureta, Palm Beach, Fla. . . . 40-35-75

Alternates

Brandon Matthews, Dupont, Pa. . . . 40-36-76

Tyler Smith, Bath, Pa. . . . 37-39-76

jjuliano@phillynews.com

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