Ellis wins Pennsylvania Open
Jimmy Ellis dominated the links 17 years ago at Peters Township High School.
Today, the Venetia native still rules the greens.
Ellis, who holds two school records, captured the championship in the 104th Pennsylvania Open played Aug. 10-12 at Oakmont Country Club. He fired three straight par 71s and carded a low-score 213 to finish first.
Two other amateurs – Troy Vannucci of Marlton, N.J., and Chris Davenport from Palm City, Fla., tied for second with 214 scores.
J.D. Drones of Lancaster finished tied for fourth place with Connor Schmidt, who is also a Venetia and Peters Township High School product, and Mark Goetz from Greensburg. All totaled scores of 216.
Drones, however, claimed the $8,000 prize money as the low professional.
Former Mt. Lebanon standout and pro Kevin Shields tied for eighth place with a 218 score. Amateur Louis Olsakovsky of Upper St. Clair tied for 16th with a 221 total.
Though he bogeyed his final hole on the first and last day of competition, Ellis benefited from consistent play throughout the event. He recorded seven birdies and 41 pars.
Ellis, 34, earned low amateur honors at the 100th Pennsylvania Open held at The Club at Nevillewood. He also was the runner-up at the 2019 Pennsylvania Middle Amateur Championships at Longue View Country Club.
He said the win on one of the nation’s most prestigious courses was the biggest of his career. He said he was just an old guy with two kids and that the field of young players could probably beat him nine out of 10 times.
His former high school coach, David Kuhn, would beg to differ with that assessment. Kuhn said Ellis was “one of PT’s all-time greats.”
Kuhn said Ellis still holds the single-season scoring record (35.5) as well as the low nine-hole match scoring record. He carded a six-under-par 30 on the front nine at Rolling Hills Country Club in a match against Bethel Park his junior year.
“Jim has always been a great talent and in my opinion a tour-level ball striker,” Kuhn said. “His victory is a great achievement.
“Jim’s a great guy who doesn’t take himself too seriously and works very hard,” he added. “He has a great passion for the game.”
Sometimes though life gets in the way. Ellis and his wife, Erin, have two young children.
“He’s a family man now,” Kuhn noted. “I’m very proud of the successful man he has become.”
Kuhn hopes the win instills confidence in Ellis and the will to continue to win and compete at a high level on the amateur circuit.
“He’s certainly capable and very deserving.”
Another Peters Township product, Tommy Nettles, 25, registered five birdies and grabbed the first-round lead at 4-under-par. Nettles, however, faded, finishing with a 226 score. He tied for 37th place.
Nettles plays professionally on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica.
Colella wins
Brent Colella, 36, of Upper St. Clair captured the Tri-State Amateur Championship at Chartiers Country Club.
He carded five birdies, including four on the back nine, to finish with a 2-under-par 68. Colella shot even-par 35 on the front nine.