Quinn Tops Field at Conestoga Classic
Lancaster, Pa. – After a one-year hiatus, the Philadelphia PGA returned to Conestoga Country Club for the reinstated Conestoga Classic. Although the calendar read late May temperatures for today’s were anything but enjoyable as players battled cool and damp conditions throughout the day.
Early in the day, it seemed like the number to get to would be 2-under (68). As scores were posted it was a common number as seven players would all finish T4 after reaching the 2-under. However, a few players would manage to pass this group and separate themselves from the field.
The first players to do so happened to be paired together. Brian Bergstol (Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort) and Brett Melton (Radley Run Country Club) both finished with a score of 5-under (65).
Bergstol got off to a hot start with four birdies on his opening nine holes. After a bogey on the par 4 12th hole, Bergstol would recover with two additional birdies on his final two holes to get to 5-under.
Playing alongside Bergstol, Philadelphia PGA newcomer Brett Melton got off to an average start after trading two birdies against two bogeys to finish his outward nine at even par. After making the turn, Melton turned things around and finished in a torrid pace with birdies on five of his last six holes.
For a long time, it seemed as though the pair would be facing each other in a playoff at the end of the day. However, one player had another plan in mind.
Dave Quinn (Philmont Country Club) got off to a perfect start after opening his round with an eagle on the par5 1st hole. Not only was Quinn’s eagle the only one on the first hole, it was the only eagle carded the entire day. Quinn would add two birdies on his front nine but a bogey on the 8th hole stopped his run. Making the turn at 3-under, Quinn would continue the good play as he made his way back to the clubhouse. On his inward nine, Quinn would add four more birdies before closing with a bogey on his final hole to finish with a 6-under (64) good enough for a one-shot victory.
“I have been playing really well all year but have not been able to get my putting going’, said Quinn of his round. “I had a conversation with a friend last night and after an hour of practice I put a new putting method into place today and it seemed to work out. The eagle on one really helped to give me confidence and I look forward to carrying this momentum with me going forward.”
Quinn also took home the top spot in the tournament’s senior division after finishing four shots clear of runner-up Brian Kelly (Bucknell Golf Club).
All was not lost for Bergstol and Melton as the pair would share the top honors in the tournament’s Philadelphia Assistants Organization (PAO) division.
The Section would like to thank the members and staff of Conestoga Country Club for hosting our event as well as our tournament sponsors, Mizuno Golf, Jani-King and Golf Max.
The Philadelphia PGA will return to action on Wednesday, May 24 at the Oakley Skull Cup which will be held at Galloway National Golf Club.