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Sollon wins state open title

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 3 min read
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Jake Sollon of Venetia, won the Pennsylvania State Open Championship held Aug. 8-10 at the Longue Vue Golf Club in Verona.

“The event is the most prestigious and difficult golf competition to win in the state,” said Matt Rusinko, who is the championship manager for the Pennsylvania Golf Association.

A professional, Sollon followed Jimmy Ellis, also from Venetia, as champion. An amateur, Ellis won the event in 2020. Both golfed at Peters Township High School.

“This is a tremendously rare feat and likely no small municipality has ever had two champions of such a high profile event in the history of its playing 106 years,” Rusinko said. “Winning the PA Open would be one of the largest sports accomplishments of any athlete in any sport in the entire area. For it to happen twice in three years is amazing.”

Sollon was spectacularly consistent throughout the tournament. During the three-day event, he fired 68, 66 and 66 for a 7-under par 203.

“I hit it pretty well,” Sollon said. “I made a few bogeys but other than that I played some good golf.”

Sollon’s biggest bogey come during the final round and almost cost him the victory.

After making eight pars on the back nine, Sollon led Tanner Grzegorczyk from Glenshaw by one stroke. He bogey the final hole of regulation, however, and the match ended up tied, forcing a playoff.

On the extra hole, Sollon shot par while Grzegorczyk three-putted.

“I played great this week, there’s not much else I’d take back,” Sollon said.

In the first two rounds, Sollon had five bogeys but he maintained the low score thanks to two eagles. An eagle on the third day coupled with a birdie and five pars on the front nine put Sollon in position to win the competition. Until No. 18 on the back nine, he led.

The victory not only thrilled Sollon, it excited David Kuhn. Not only did he serve as Sollon’s former high school coach, Kuhn has been providing him with specialized instruction during the summer tournament season.

“First, I am very happy for Jake,” Kuhn said. “He has played well in some recent events but hasn’t been able to put it all together 100 percent.

“In the last week, we have made some refinements and tweaks in his swing and things have really moved in a positive direction culminating in this win.”

As an instructor, it was challenging for Kuhn to watch the match because Grzegorczyk also is his student. Grzegorczyk, who won the Low Amateur award, competes for the University of Findlay.

“I was very happy that Jake was able to prevail in the playoff and win this prestigious event,” Kuhn said.

“Jake is working hard to prepare his game for the next level and the fruits of his labors are starting to show.”

Two additional students of Kuhn’s submitted solid performances in the match.

Louie Olsakovsky from Upper St. Clair finished in tied for fourth in the tournament. He carded a 2-under-208. His three-day scores were 69, 71, 68. Chris Tanabe from Sewickley tied for the 26th position with a 213 score.

“Having all of my guys perform well was very gratifying,” said Kuhn

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