Young golfers shine during 28th annual Butler Eagle County Amateur
SUMMIT TWP — While gathering golfers for the 28th annual Butler Eagle County Amateur in recent weeks, tournament committee member Rob Voltz was hoping for two things.
High numbers and an influx of young golfers.
He got his wish on both counts.
Butler County Community College golfer Troy Loughry, 21, carded a 3-under-par 67 Sunday to win the overall championship at Hiland Golf Course. He played during the afternoon round.
Loughry edged out 2018 Karns City graduate Logan Pistorius, who shot a 68 during the morning session, Pistorius, 23, graduated from Thiel College this year and made all-conference as a member of the Tomcats’ golf team.
“I think it’s exciting, great for the tournament and great for golf in this area,” Voltz said of the success the younger golfers had Sunday. “We had a great mix out here today. We had a lot of familiar names who play in and support this event every year and we had a lot of new faces.”
The 2022 Eagle Amateur featured an overall field of 175 golfers. That number was exceeded only once in the tourney’s history. Cranberry Highlands had a field of 177 when it hosted the tournament a number of years ago.
“I can’t explain the numbers. I wasn’t expecting this, but I’m happy to see it. We had to turn a couple of golfers away,” Voltz said.
Jase Renwick, 14, won the second flight with a 76. He actually tied with Kyle Armagost, but the latter was unavailable for a playoff, handing the title to Renwick.
Some familiar names also finished on top. Sharon Goncz won the women’s division title with a 79. She was also women’s champion of the Eagle Amateur in 2010 at Lake Arthur.
“It’s been a few years since I’ve played in this event, but I love it,” Goncz said. “I play in a league here and some of the league members I play with were entering. They talked me into playing with them.”
“It’s always thrilling to win. I wish more women would play in this tournament. It’s definitely worthwhile.”
Geoff Patterson, who entered this year’s Eagle Amateur as two-time defending champion, was in the running for a third straight title. He wound up with a 72, five strokes back.
“I was 1-under par through 12 holes, but didn’t finish strong,” Patterson said. “I had a shot at it.”
Kaden Rock won the first flight — the largest flight of the tourney — with a 72. Tom Rosswog carded a 79 to win the third flight.
Loughry works and plays golf at Stoughton Acres — the facility owned by his grandparents. His father, Jeff Loughry, works there as well. Loughry started his round with a birdie on No. 18. His shot of the day occurred on the par-4 No. 5 hole.
It turned out to be the difference for the day.
“My second shot went over the green, leaving me with an uphill shot from behind a tree,” Loughry said. “At that point, all I wanted to do was punch it out on to the green and save par.
“My third shot bounced off the lip of the hill, rolled on the green, caromed off the flag and went on. That was a crazy shot.”
A Grove City High School graduate, Loughry placed fifth at the NJCAA Nationals in the spring for BC3. The Eagle Amateur was the only tournament he’s played in all summer.
He had not played golf at Hiland all year and had only played the course a couple of times overall. This was Loughry’s fifth time playing the Eagle Amateur,.
“This course is phenonemal,” he said. “It has a great layout. The round just went my day today. I saw that 68 was the best score of the morning, but I didn’t really think about it while I was playing.
“I dedicate this win to Van and Jeanne Smith (his grandparents). I wanted to make them proud.”
Pistorius had a solid stretch run, including birdies on No.’s 7 and 8. The No. 7 hole is a par-5.
“I knew my score had a chance, but wasn’t sure if it would hold up,” Pistorius said. “There were a lot of good golfers in this field. Shooting 2-under, getting six birdies ... I was happy with that.”
Pistorius works as a pro shop attendant at Foxburg Country Club.
Jeremy Plaisted finished third overall with a 69. He played the afternoon round. Plaisted lost a playoff to Patterson in the 2020 Eagle Amateur, has finished second twice and been in the top five on a few occasions.
“I could have had a 68, but I missed a seven-foot birdie putt on my last hole,” Plaisted said. “One of these years, I feel like I’m going to break through. I keep getting close.
“But considering the quality of golf in this tournament each year, I’m proud to be finishing near the top.”
Adding to the success of young golfers Sunday, incoming Slippery Rock High School senior Jacob Wolak placed fourth overall with a 71.
No golfer was younger than second-flight champion Renwick. He is a member at Slippery Rock Golf Club.
“This is the first time I’ve played here,” Jase said. “I have to say I was surprised to do this well. But I did well at the (youth) Drive, Chip & Putt competition (at Butler Country Club). I feel like I’ve been playing well.”
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David Krafick was all smiles after sinking a putt during the Butler Eagle County Amateur golf tournament at Hiland Golf Course in Butler on August 7, 2022.(Justin Guido/ Special to the Eagle)
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Greg Seybert tees off during the Butler Eagle County Amateur golf tournament at Hiland Golf Course in Butler on August 7, 2022.(Justin Guido/ Special to the Eagle)
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Jeff Hughes sinks a putt during the Butler Eagle County Amateur golf tournament at Hiland Golf Course in Butler on August 7, 2022.(Justin Guido/ Special to the Eagle)
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Butler Eagle general manager Tammy Schuey presents the trophy and a laugh with winner Troy Loughry from Grove City and he plays golf at BC3 as he won the Butler Eagle County Amateur golf tournament at Hiland Golf Course in Butler on August 7, 2022.(Justin Guido/ Special to the Eagle)
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Tammy Shuey presents award to Women's Champ Sharon Goncz
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John Stanzione, Jr. of Pitt-Penn presents award to Senior's Champ Geoff Patterson
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Tammy Shuey presents award to Men's Champ Troy Loughry
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Eagle Golf Tournament, 8-7-2022
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Eagle Golf Tournament, 8-7-2022
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Eagle Golf Tournament, 8-7-2022
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Eagle Golf Tournament, 8-7-2022
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Eagle Golf Tournament, 8-7-2022
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Eagle Golf Tournament, 8-7-2022
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Levi Leonberg, Eagle Golf Tournament, 8-8-2022.
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Liz Werner, Eagle Golf Tournament, 8-7-2022.
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Aaron Voltz - Eagle Golf Tournament, August 7, 2022.
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Bill Black, Eagle Golf Tournament, 8-7-2022.
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Janet Gray, Eagle Golf Tournament, 8-7-2022.
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Sharon Goncz, Eagle Golf Tournament, 8-7-2022
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Jeff Birckbichler, Eagle Golf Tournament, 8-7-2022
