All Mark Goetz wanted to do this summer was to qualify for the 121st United States Golf Association’s Amateur championship and make it to match play.
Goetz achieved his goal and surprised many by winning medalist honors in stroke play. He entered match play as the No. 1 seed.
The Greensburg native and West Virginia senior shot a 2-under-par 68 on Wednesday at Oakmont Country Club and finished stroke play at 8-under 132.
Because of a four-hour weather delay Tuesday, he played six holes Wednesday and finished his round at 9:15 a.m.
The match play portion of the tournament was suspended at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday because of heavy rain and lightning. Goetz was finally able to tee off at 7 in the Round of 64.
His match against Sweden’s David Nafjall was even through four holes before play was stopped because of darkness. It will resume 7:30 a.m. The USGA announced Wednesday’s tickets will be honored Thursday.
Goetz was unavailable to talk after play was stopped.
“I really just wanted to make match play,” Goetz said while waiting to play. “Once I got into the event that was really the next step. So I just played solid, man. I’m not really sure what the medalist means.
“That’s my low round at Oakmont by three shots, so for me, that’s big, for sure.”
Even though Goetz lives 40 minutes away and is a cousin of Oakmont pro Devin Gee’s wife, Katie Miller Gee, he only played the course a few times.
When he did get a chance to play, he learned how to attack the course from the members.
“You get familiar how they like to play, and that’s a huge help,” Goetz said. “I also played at Merion Golf Club a week ago in the Pennsylvania Golf Association’s Amateur. That helped me prepare.
“I think my speed on these greens has been really good. Short game has been great. We’ve done a really good job getting myself around this place without getting in too many bad spots, or if we did, getting out of it quick and back in position.”
Goetz had only one bogey during his two rounds, and it came at Oakmont on No. 7.
“I’m comfortable where I’m at,” Goetz said. “Match play is different. I’m lucky that I’ve gotten to play in a few events this summer. It’s a different animal. My gameplan isn’t going to change much.”
