“It’s a really good tournament and a good golf course,” Schuler said. “It’s one that I can play well.”
Schuler won in 2008 and finished second in 2009. This year, he opened with a 73, putting him one back of the lead, and closed with a 74. His two-round total of 147 was one shot better than Lexington’s Ryan Zahn and two better than Mt. Vernon’s Jason Davis, North Canton’s Jordan Grubb and Westerville’s Adam Fluty.
The field had just 26 golfers. Schuler attributed that to the economy. However, he was competing against many younger golfers. Schuler is 65.
“I’m fortunate to be able to hit the ball a good distance off the tee,” he said. “I don’t get out-drove. I drive it as far as these guys. That makes me feel pretty good.”
Another reason Schuler likes the tournament is it limits the field to golfers 25 and over. That takes college golfers out of the mix.
“They play in so many tournaments,” Schuler said. “They’re so good. I feel like I’ve got a better chance (without them).”
Schuler’s next tournament is the Springfield City Amateur, which starts Saturday, July 10, at Snyder Park. He has eight City Am championships, leaving him one short of tying Rich O’Brien’s record.
Schuler finished third last year, one shot back of Josh Sine and six back of the champion, Wayne High School’s Michael Bernard. Bernard has won the last two City Ams, but he won’t play this year because he’ll be participating in the U.S. Junior Amateur July 19-24.
In Schuler’s opinion, that makes Sine the favorite.
“If I was going to pick a person, I would say Josh Sine would be the one to beat,” Schuler said. “He plays Snyder Park so well. Josh is just a really good putter.”
Public Links Championship
Graham senior Jessie Jordan qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship at the Warren Golf Club in South Bend, Ind.
Jordan shot rounds of 77 and 75 in stroke play to make the cut. In the first round of match play on June 23 she lost to Kent State senior Martina Gavier, 3 and 2. Gavier had the second-best score in stroke play.
Jordan led Graham to a third-place finish at the state meet last fall. She finished 11th as an individual. She shot a 69 at Windy Knoll Golf Club on June 3 to qualify for the Public Links Championship.
Ohio Junior Amateur
Shawnee sophomore Clark Engle finished seventh in the 15-and-under division at the Ohio Junior Amateur on June 29 and 30 at Riviera Golf Club in Dublin. Engle shot 78-75—153.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0351 or djablonski@coxohio.com.
About the Author
