Kowalski, Pevarnik share lead for amateur crown

July 19, 2022 Last Updated: July 18, 2022 10:53 PM Amateur

Clay Spangler, of Latrobe, sights his ball along with his caddy Monday at the 122nd WPGA Amateur Championship at Butler Country Club. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

Jon Pratkanis, Butler native, putts on the ninth green Monday morning at the 122nd WPGA Amateur Championship, hosted by the Butler Country Club. Mike Wolfe, right, observes Pratkanis' putt. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

One more round

PENN TWP — Darin Kowalski and Brady Pevarnik took different roads to get there, but both find themselves on the cusp of a championship.

The golfers are tied for the lead at even-par 140 following Monday’s first two rounds of the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association Amateur Championship, being held at Butler Country Club.

JF Aber and Jeff Varga are one stroke off the lead at plus-1.

The final 18 holes will be played Tuesday.

Kowalski endured a roller coaster ride before his day was finished.

He was at one under par after six holes in the morning round, but carded four bogeys and a double-bogey over the next six holes.

He took a seven on the 575-yard No. 2 hole.

“I had a bad run there,” Kowalski said. “A double-bogey, especially on a par-5, that’s tough. I had a shot land on the lip of a bunker and got too aggressive with it.”

His first round of 74 had him eight shots back of Pevarnik for the top spot, but Kowalski didn’t panic. He had shot a 69 to place second here at a U.S. Open qualifier two months ago.

“I just wanted to have a fresh reset after lunch,” he said. “You can’t fake it here, it’s tough to birdie holes on this course.”

Which makes his play early in the afternoon even more impressive.

He had four birdies on the first seven holes, finishing with a four-under 66. The lone slip-up was a bogey on No. 14.

“I’ve golfed in this event many times,” said Kowalski, a resident of Bethel Park and member at South Hills Country Club. “I didn’t come here just to make the cut. I’m here to win and I think I’ve given myself a chance to do that.

“After that first round, it would’ve been easy to let myself get out of it, but my mental game was strong.”

Pevarnik, of Latrobe and Hannastown Golf Club, was one of only two golfers to shoot under par in the first round. Aber was the other with a 67.

The former’s morning effort included five birdies compared to just one bogey.

“I really didn’t hit my driver well all day, but my irons and wedges were good,” said Pevarnik. “I made everything (while putting) within six feet or so, but didn’t have any long bombs.”

He found the going much more difficult in the second round, with his two birdies being erased by four bogeys, including three straight, and a double-bogey.

But he’s not concerned golfing for a title while coming off a frustrating round.

“I think I got a little tired today, but I’ll be fresh tomorrow,” Pevarnik said. “I’m excited.”

Monday’s field included 78 golfers, but only the top 32 advanced to play on Tuesday. They include:

Darin Kowalski 74-66 140

Brady Pevarnik 66-74140

JF Aber 67-74 141

Jeff Varga 71-70141

Brett Young 74-68 142

Nick Turowski 74-69143

Jimmy Ellis 74-69143

Matt Mattioli 74-69143

Shane Stewart 73-71144