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Hidden Creek prepares to host Senior Amateur at the Shore

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J. - When he opened Hidden Creek Golf Club in 2002, owner Roger Hansen recalled, he had no thoughts about holding a big event there, never mind hosting a championship of the United States Golf Association.

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J. - When he opened Hidden Creek Golf Club in 2002, owner Roger Hansen recalled, he had no thoughts about holding a big event there, never mind hosting a championship of the United States Golf Association.

But the more he saw how the course played, the more he felt a national championship would be well-suited for his course. That will happen when the course will host the 61st U.S. Senior Amateur starting Sept. 26.

"I really felt that if I'm in the business, I should do a national championship," Hansen said Monday. "It's a wonderful golf course. It's a shame not to share it with the rest of the country. It is a really good test of golf and it's fun. I think that after a few years, we decided this is really worth having a national championship on."

The course, which was designed by former Masters champion Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, has some aspects of links and parkland styles with large and subtly contoured greens complexes. It will set up to play at 6,840 yards and par 71 when the Senior Amateur begins with the first of two days of stroke-play qualifying.

Merion's Buddy Marucci, who won the 2008 U.S. Senior Amateur and has captained two U.S. Walker Cup teams, is exempt from qualifying. He said he has not played Hidden Creek, although he added "Roger must have asked me about 30 times" and he plans to play a practice round later this month.

"Everything I've heard about this course has been great," Marucci said. "Coore and Crenshaw, they're the best in the business. I know it's going to be a great experience playing here."

Pa. Open

Kevin Kraft, a professional from Newport, Pa., fired a 5-under-par 66 to take a 1-stroke lead after the first round of the 54-hole Pennsylvania Open at Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Delaware County. Kraft, who works at Bumble Bee Hollow Golf Center in Harrisburg, carded seven birdies and two bogeys. M-Golf's Stu Ingraham, the 1998 tournament champion, and ACE Club assistant pro Billy Stewart were tied for second at 67.

Women's Amateur

Erica Herr of New Hope, who is entering her sophomore year at Wake Forest, shot a 1-under 71 and trailed by 3 strokes after the first day of qualifying for the U.S. Women's Amateur at Portland (Ore.) Golf Club. Herr recorded one of just 17 subpar scores in the 156-player field. Alessandra Liu of Bala Cynwyd, who is entering her senior year at William and Mary, carded a 72.