From one shot to the next, one tournament after the other, Chuck Tragesser is carrying over momentum in what has been a strong summer on the golf course.
The Franklin Regional alum and rising redshirt junior at Robert Morris won the 32nd Western Pennsylvania Golf Association Spring Stroke Play Championship in May. He then took low-amateur honors at the 122nd WPGA Open with a 7-under-par effort for 54 holes at Sewickley Heights Golf Club.
The 21-year-old finished in a three-way tie for second place with professionals Rob McClellan and Beau Titsworth.
“Overall, I’m pleased with three rounds under par,” Tragesser told the WPGA. “In the past I’d have one good round and then throw a 1-over or 2-over in. I was happy that I could get all three rounds under par.”
Tragesser shot 69, 68 and 69, with just one bogey in his final round.
“The front nine is definitely a bit easier than the back,” he said. “Making birdies on the front gets you off to a good start.
“The second half of today was much tougher with all of the wind. We hadn’t seen that in the first two rounds. I got close to the most I could out of today. Where I lost the most shots was definitely the first two rounds.”
Rain and lightning affected play and caused delays on both days of the tournament.
Tragesser managed the down time and restarts with relative ease.
“It isn’t too difficult,” he said. “With playing college golf and all the delays, it happens and there’s nothing you can do about it. I’d say we’re all kind of used to it by now.
“I had maybe 10 holes to play with the first rain delay, so it didn’t bother me too much.”
Tragesser won a one-hole playoff to claim the match-play title at Pittsburgh Field Club, also in inclement weather. He edged out Leechburg grad Matt Barto for the title.
