The 2018 regional amateur golf season will begin this weekend with the 23rd annual Northeast PA Stroke Play Championship at Hideway Hills Golf Club in Polk Township.
Although Jason Wilson of South Whitehall Township will not be in the field for the season opener, he will make his season debut the following two days at the Pennsylvania Golf Association’s 78th George Dressler event in York.
Wilson, 44, is coming off a banner 2017 campaign, which saw him win the Pennsylvania Middle-Amateur Championship, and the Lehigh Valley Medal Play title. He finished runner-up in the 2017 Lehigh Valley Player of the Year points race to Penn State senior Cole Miller.
With the 25th Pennsylvania Middle Amateur Championship to be played locally at the Saucon Valley Country Club Weyhill Course on Sept. 17-18, Wilson is ready to defend his title close to home.
“I’m really looking forward to that,” Wilson said. “Not only to hold onto the title, but it’s at a course I have played, and played dozens of times. It’s a special piece of property. Since they redesigned it, they have hosted a US Mid-Amateur round. The conditions are always superb. Every view is always good to look at.”
Wilson noted that he will continue his coaching program with Bethlehem Golf Club head pro Paul Viola, and plans to tweak his gear.
“I have updated a little bit of equipment this year,” Wilson said. “My driver, 3-wood, and hybrid are new this year. I will probably update my irons this year. The rest of it is pretty much a continuation of what Paul Viola and I have worked on.”
A new name
Silver Creek Country Club has changed the name of the facility to Steel Club.
Veteran golf professional Matt Cross was named the facility’s new head golf pro as of March 28. Former director of golf Peter Lovenguth left to become the head pro at Applecross Country Club in Downingtown, Pa.
Silver Creek Country Club was officially sold on Feb. 9 and became Steel Club under new ownership, according to Cross.
The 5th Donald Ross Invitational better ball of partners will be played at Steel Club May 19-20.
2018 LEHIGH VALLEY INDIVIDUAL AMATEUR GOLF TOURNAMENTS
INDIVIDUAL “OPEN” TOURNAMENT
July 23-24 — 11th annual Lehigh Valley Open, Northampton CC
Amateur qualifier: June 10, Bethlehem GC
INDIVIDUAL “MAJOR” AMATEUR TOURNAMENTS
May 25-27 — 29th Lehigh Valley Inter-Club Championship: Bethlehem GC, Allentown GC, Green Pond CC
June 22-23 — 28th Lehigh Valley Medal Play Championship, Woodstone CC
Sept. 22-30 — 82nd Lehigh Valley Amateur, Green Pond CC
Oct. 12-13 — 29th Lehigh Valley Tournament of Champions, Blue Shamrock GC
OTHER TOP INDIVIDUAL AMATEUR EVENTS
April 21-22 — 23rd Northeast PA Stroke Play Championship, Hideaway Hills GC
July 6 – 23rd Lehigh Valley Mid-Amateur Championship, Wedgewood GC
July 7-8 — 63rd Bethlehem Golf Club Amateur Stroke Play, Bethlehem GC
July 20-22 — Ninth Northeast PA Match Play Championship, Olde Homestead GC
August 3-4 — 27th Eastern Pennsylvania Amateur, Southmoore GC and Whitetail GC
August 11-12 — 65th Allentown City Amateur Stroke Play, Allentown GC
INDIVIDUAL SENIOR “MAJOR” AMATEUR TOURNAMENTS
May 25-27 — 28th Lehigh Valley Senior Inter-Club Championship: Bethlehem GC, Allentown GC, Green Pond CC.
June 2-3 — 25th Lehigh Valley Senior Amateur Medal Play Championship, Green Pond CC
Sept. 22-30 — 27th Lehigh Valley Senior Amateur Match Play Championship, Green Pond CC
Oct. 12-13 — 28th Lehigh Valley Senior Tournament of Champions, Blue Shamrock GC
OTHER TOP INDIVIDUAL SENIOR AMATEUR EVENTS
Aug. 10 — Lehigh Valley Super-Senior Stroke Play Championship, Wedgewood GC
Aug. 3-4 — 25th Eastern Pennsylvania Senior Amateur, Southmoore GC and Whitetail GC
INDIVIDUAL WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOURNAMENTS
June 23 — 13th annual Lehigh Valley Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship, Wedgewood GC
REGIONAL PENNSYLVANIA GOLF ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENTS
May 14-15 — 26th Senior Four-Ball Championship, Lehigh Country Club
Sept. 17-18 — 25th Pennsylvania Middle Amateur Championship, Saucon Valley Country Club, Weyhill Course
REGIONAL GOLF ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENTS
June 18 — USGA qualifying tournament: U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship sectional qualifier, Northampton Country Club
June 19 — USGA qualifying tournament: U.S. Girl’s Junior Championship sectional qualifier, Steel Club
August 21 — USGA qualifying tournament: U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship sectional qualifier, Brookside Country Club
NOTE: Further tournament information is available at golfgalv.com.
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