Covello wins medalist honors at U.S. Open qualifier
Vince Covello likes to return home to the Philadelphia area around the time of the annual U.S. Open qualifier because of the golf courses and because "I use it as an excuse to see old friends and family."
Vince Covello likes to return home to the Philadelphia area around the time of the annual U.S. Open qualifier because of the golf courses and because "I use it as an excuse to see old friends and family."
Covello, 32, who grew up in Havertown and now lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., hit the jackpot yet again on his trip north Thursday when he shot a 4-under-par 68 at Makefield Highlands Golf Course in Bucks County to win medalist honors in the Open local qualifier.
This will be Covello's fifth trip to sectional qualifying - the last step before the Open - and the fourth time he has advanced in the Philadelphia area. He finished as medalist last year at Laurel Creek in South Jersey.
"It's fun coming back," he said. "I've advanced five times but I haven't been in a U.S. Open yet, so maybe the fifth time will be the charm."
The qualifier awarded tickets to six players for sectional qualifying.
Greg Pieczynski of Kingston, Pa., a former member of the Philadelphia Section PGA who is an assistant pro in Weston, Mass., finished second in qualifying with a 69. Five players finished at 70 and played off for the final four spots.
Former La Salle star Michael Johnson, who now lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., birdied four of his last five holes in regulation to make it to the playoff, then sank a two-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole to advance. Michael Brown of Maple Shade also got through with a par on the same hole.
Brian Hollins of Mount Laurel, an assistant pro at Trenton Country Club, and amateur Jeremy Nevius birdied the second extra hole to qualify.
The Qualifiers
Vince Covello 35-33-68
Greg Pieczynski 34-35-69
a-Michael Johnson 36-34-70
a-Michael Brown 36-34-70
a-Jeremy Nevius 37-33-70
Brian Hollins 32-38-70
Alternate
Brad Miller 35-35-70
a-amateur
NCAA regionals
Brandon Matthews of Temple birdied three of his last seven holes to finish with a par 70 and was tied for fifth overall after the first round of the NCAA golf championship's New Haven (Conn.) Regional at the Course at Yale.
Matthews was 2 strokes behind Northwestern's Dylan Wu in the battle for the one spot available in the national championship to the low individual not affiliated with a team in his regional.
Penn stood last in the 14-team field at the Noblesville (Ind.) Regional at Sagamore Golf Club. The Quakers shot 34 over par as a team. Senior Ben Cooley (Abington High) carded the best score for Penn, a 4-over 76.