Pennsylvania Takes Four-Shot Lead Into Final Round Of Men's State Team

St. Albans, Mo. – Darkness was enveloping the Country Club of St. Albans’ Lewis and Clark Course late Thursday when Pennsylvania’s Nathan Smith put the finishing touches on a 3-under-par round of 68.

And with a 36-hole team total of 7-under 277, the three-man Pennsylvania squad is threatening to turn out the lights on the rest of the field at the 2009 USGA Men’s State Team Championship.

Coupled with a 68 from 22-year-old Mike Van Sickle of Wexford in the 3-count-2 format, Pennsylvania takes a four-stroke lead over Illinois and Rhode Island into Friday’s final round on the 7,150-yard, par-71 layout. A 74 by 47-year-old Sean Knapp of Oakmont was not counted.

On a day when it was beneficial to have an afternoon starting time, Pennsylvania, which has never finished higher than sixth in seven previous Men’s State Team Championships, took full advantage of its spot in the draw.

Starting eight shots behind Kansas, which played in the morning when a steady drizzle pounded the course and competitors, Pennsylvania saw its deficit reduced to three strokes when the morning wave concluded play.

Bobby Leopold of Rhode Island carded a 71 in Thursday's second round. (John Mummert/USGA)

Kansas carded a 10-over 152 and fell from nine under to 1-over 285. South Carolina and Tennessee started the second round two back of Kansas, but posted 5-over and 7-over rounds, respectively. All three played during the worst of the weather conditions.

Georgia, which shot a 4-under 138 on Wednesday, fired a 2-over 144 in the afternoon and fell into a fourth-place tie with South Carolina at 2-under 282. Tennessee was sixth at even-par 284.

In order to maximize the opportunity for the contending teams to complete the 54 holes of the competition, along with the forecasted threat of more rain and possible afternoon thunderstorms on Friday, the Men's State Team Championship Committee decided to cut the field to 26 teams for the final round. The cut came at 9-over 293.

The only other time a cut was made came in 2003 at Charles River Country Club near Boston under similar circumstances.

Pennsylvania, however, won't have to worry about going home early.

“I have to say it was nice sitting in my bed in my workout clothes watching the computer as it’s raining outside knowing that they had to struggle through that,” said Van Sickle, a first-team All-American selection this past season as a Marquette University senior. “We definitely had the better of the tee times these two days not having to play in this rain. That was definitely an advantage.”

Both Smith and Van Sickle jumped out to hot starts, thanks to the rain subsiding and the course being totally devoid of any wind. The 31-year-old Smith from Pittsburgh, a member of the victorious USA Walker Cup team 11 days ago at Merion Golf Club, was four under par after six holes. Despite a bogey at No. 18, his ninth of the round, he shot an even-par 35 on the outward nine.

At 5-under 137, Smith stands a stroke behind 23-year-old Mark Anderson of Beaufort, S.C., for individual medalist honors. Anderson followed his first-round 65 with an even-par 71. Smith shares second with 23-year-old Carlos Sainz of Elgin, Ill., who used an eagle on the par-4 fifth hole to shoot 69.

Van Sickle’s lone blemish came at the par-4 eighth, his 17th of the round, when he took an unplayable lie off the tee and settled for a bogey. Even the wet conditions have not bothered the long-hitting Van Sickle, who has hit 8-iron and 9-iron for approach shots into the 480-yard par-4 18th hole when many competitors are using long irons and hybrids.

“It’s just kind of free reign when you are hitting less than 6-iron in [to the greens],” said Van Sickle. “You can just go at all the pins. Even when they’re tucked, you can really be aggressive and attack them.”

Attack is what Rhode Island and Illinois will likely have to do to catch Pennsylvania. Sainz, a recent Mississippi State graduate, recovered from an opening double bogey on No. 10 to shoot five under for his last 17 holes. He drove the 342-yard par-4 fifth to 12 feet and made the putt and added a birdie on nine for his 69. Illinois also received an even-par 71 from 34-year-old John Ehrgott of Peoria, a reinstated amateur who played briefly on the mini-tours after graduating from Michigan State in 1998.

“You’ve just got to persevere through these conditions,” said Sainz. “You’ve got to play what the course gives you and we definitely got the lucky side of the draw with the rain.

“We’ve just got to come out [on Friday] and try to do the same things as today.”

Rhode Island, which has never finished in the top 10 at the MST, got a 69 from 44-year-old Charlie Blanchard of North Providence, who serves part-time as an assistant lacrosse coach at Bryant University, and a 71 from Bobby Leopold of Cranston. Playing in the same group as Smith, Blanchard was just trying to hang on over the final holes when daylight began fading rapidly.

“You just wanted to two-putt,” said Blanchard. “It was tough with the depth perception, especially on the greens.

“I think now people realize there are some good players up in the Northeast and Rhode Island. We had fun today. If we can shoot a couple under [on Friday], you never know. That’s why it’s a team. We’ve got three guys who have been playing pretty well late in the season.”

Story written by USGA Digital Media staff writer David Shefter. E-mail him with questions or comments at dshefter@usga.org.

St. Albans, Mo. – Results from the second round of the 2009 USGA Men’s State Team Championship being conducted on the 7,150-yard, par-71 Lewis and Clark Course at the Country Club of St. Albans. (Note: The team’s 18-hole total is determined from the best two scores from each round):

1-Pennsylvania (141-136—277) Mike Van Sickle, Wexford 72-68—140; Sean Knapp, Oakmont 72-73—145; Nathan Smith, Pittsburgh 69-68—137

T2-Illinois (141-140—281) Carlos Sainz, Elgin 68-69—137; John Ehrgott, Peoria 73-71—141; Todd Mitchell, Bloomington 78-76—154

T2-Rhode Island (141-140—281) Bobby Leopold, Cranston 70-71—141; Brad Valois, Warwick 71-78—149; Charlie Blanchard, North Providence 75-69—144

T4-Georgia (138-144--282) David Noll Jr., Dalton 72-77—149; Mark Strickland, Woodstock 66-73—139; Jeff Knox, Augusta 74-71—145

T4-South Carolina (135-147—282) Steve Liebler, Irmo 70-76—146; Jarrett Grimes, Columbia 77-87—164; Mark Anderson, Beaufort 65-71—136

6-Tennessee (135-149—284) Todd Burgan, Knoxville 74-78—152; Rob Garland, Nashville 68-77—145; Tim Jackson, Germantown 67-72—139

T7-Texas (139-146—285) John Bearrie, Arlington 75-76—151; Steve Galko, Dallas 69-72—141; Rob Courture, Dallas 70-74—144

T7-Massachusetts (141-144--285) John Hadges, North Easton 72-78—150; Brian Higgins, Bellingham 69-74—143; Frank Vana, North Andover 75-70—145

T7-Kansas (133-152—285) Jon Troutman, Spring Hill 64-79--143; Dodge Kemmer, Wichita 69-75—144; Bryan Norton, Mission Hills 76-77—153

10-Washington (143-143—286) Joel Dahmen, Clarkston 72-71—143; Erik Hanson, Kirkland 71-72—143; Derek Berg, Kenmore 72-74—146

11-California (143-144—287) Tim Mickelson, San Diego 70-76—146; George Gandranata, Emeryville 73-74—147; Jason Bittick, Ladera Ranch 75-70—145

T12-North Carolina (147-141—288) Paul Simson, Raleigh 75-76—151; Scott Harvey, Greensboro 73-72—145; Uly Grisette, Clemmons 74-69—143

T12-New Jersey (143-145—288) Michael Stamberger, Plainfield 72-75—147; Thomas Gramigna, Haddonfield 71-72—143; Michael Deo, Berkeley Heights 76-73—149

T12-Colorado (146-142—288) Michael Harrington, Colorado Springs 73-69—142; Jonathan Marsico, Denver 77-78—155; Jon Lindstrom, Broomfield 73-73—146

T15-Nevada (141-148-289) Brady Exber, Las Vegas 71-74—145; Joe Sanders, Incline Village 71-74—145; Dick Wenzel, Sparks 70-81—151

T15-Mississippi (141-148—289) Ben Snow, Hattiesburg 70-71—141; Clay Homan, Starkville 71-77—148; Steve Wilson, Ocean Springs 80-79—159

T17-Maryland (144-146—290) Zachary Lese, Silver Spring 79-73—152; Chris Baloga, Parkville 73-73—146; Matthew Bassler, Catonsville 71-73—144

T17-Iowa (148-142—290) Jon Brown, Urbandale 75-71—146; Gene Elliott, West Des Moines 75-71—146; Mike McCoy, West Des Moines 73-72—145

T19-Michigan (146-145—291) Greg Davies, West Bloomfield 76-83-159; Eric Spencer, Bloomfield Hills 72-76—148; Tom Werkmeister, Kentwood 74-69—143

T19-West Virginia (142-149—291) Anthony Reale, Charleston 74-83—157; Pat Carter, Huntington 68-74—142; Michael Veres, Logan 76-75—151

T19-Florida (143-148—291) David Johnson, Palm Bay 69-74—143; Tim Hume, Tampa 76-74—150; Tommy Murray, Orange Park 74-75—149

T22-Oregon (146-146—292) Eric Fiskum, Salem 75-73—148; Chris Polski, Eugene 71-73—144; Jim Dunlap, Tigard 77-76-153

T22-Arizona(146-146—292); Chris Kessler, Scottsdale 74-71--145; Dalen Linnerson, Tempe 75-75--150; Michael Wog II, Scottsdale 72-79--151

T24-Connecticut (147-146—293) Ryan Leahey, Orange 73-73--146; Philip Perry, East Lyme 74-73--147; Jeff Hedden, Quaker Hill 75-76--151

T24-Missouri (145-148—293) Skip Berkmeyer, St. Louis 71-73--144; Darren Lundgren, Grover 74-75--149; Brian Haskell, St. Joseph 75-77--152

T24-Delaware (147-146—293) Jay Whitby, Wyoming 72-74--146; Greg Wolfe, Newark 75-72--147; Tim Freeh, Milton75-83—158

(Failed To Qualify For Final 18 Holes)

27-District of Columbia (143-151—294) Chris Connolly, Washington 65-80--145; Mychael Cohn, Washington 78-71--149; Kevin McDonnell, Washington 85-85--170

T28-Ohio (143-152—295) Billy Williamson, Cincinnati 71-75--146; Robert Gerwin, Cincinnati 73-77--150; Jimmy Henderson, Lebanon 72-80--152

T28-Kentucky (149-146—295) Andy Roberts, Owensboro 74-72--146; Jesse Massie, Louisville 75-74--149; Tyler Sharpe, Greensburg 77-75--152

T30-Virginia (145-151—296) Pat Tallent, Vienna 70-76--146; Scott Shingler, Haymarket 75-77--152; Keith Decker, Martinsville 79-75--154

T30-Alabama (146-150—296) Will Swift, Hoover 73-72--145; Steve Hudson, Birmingham 73-78--151; Vic Kyatt, Hoover 80-78--158

T30-Minnesota (148-148—296) Troy Johnson, Maple Grove 75-74--149; Jon Sauer, St. Cloud 75-74--149; Sam Schmitz, Minneapolis 73-78--151

33-Maine (148-149—297) Ricky Jones, Thomaston 74-76--150; Jesse Speirs, Bangor 77-73--150; Joseph Alvarez, Hampden 74-78--152

34-Hawaii (144-154—298) Ryan Perez, Ewa Beach 72-76--148; Lorens Chan, Honolulu 72-79--151; David Saka, Waipahu 74-78--152

35-Lousiana (145-154—299) Robby Going, Lake Charles 71-78--149; Robby McWilliams, Bossier City 74-76--150; Matt Nicholas, Lake Charles 77-80--157

T36-Wisconsin (152-148—300) Dustin Schwab, Lodi 73-73--146; Kevin Cahill, Waukesha 79-75--154; Robert Gregorski, Menasha 79-80--159

T36-Utah (146-154—300) Jeff Jolley, Lehi 78-71--149; Tyson Lund, Taylorsville 71-84--155; Darrin Overson, Provo 75-83--158

T38-New Hampshire (153-148—301) Craig Steckowych, Greenland 75-74--149; Mark Stevens, Concord 78-74--152; Daniel Arvanitis, Manchester 79-76--155

T38-South Dakota (148-153—301) Tim Kalil, Piedmont 71-78--149; Ryan Jansa, Sioux Falls 81-75--156; Brodie Hullinger, Sioux Falls 77-89--166

T40-New Mexico (150-152—302) Matthew Williams, Albuquerque 73-76--149; Patrick Hanlon, Las Cruces 77-76--153; Anton Salome, Socorro 77-84--161

T40-New York (146-156—302) Jeff Wolniewicz, West Seneca 70-79--149; John Ervasti, Scarborough 76-77--153; Albert Rabil III, Remsenburg 79-87--166

42-Indiana (148-155—303) Randy Nichols, Brookville 73-78--151; Skip Runnels, Richmond 75-77--152; Bob Stephens, Indianapolis 82-79--161

T43-Oklahoma (152-152—304) Alan Bratton, Stillwater 76-77--153; Michael Hughett, Owasso 79-75--154; Brad Kropp, Edmond 76-81--157

T43-Nebraska (149-155—304) Andrew Storm, Omaha 73-76--149; John Sajevic, Fremont 76-81--157; Jayson Brueggemann, Lincoln79-79--158

T45-Arkansas (148-157—305) Wes McNulty, Pine Bluff 74-78--152; Ron Mangold, Pocahontas 74-79--153; Neal Westbrook, Russellville 74-81--155

T45-Vermont (150-155—305) Brian Albertazzi, Killington 75-78--153; Bill Hadden, Manchester Village 76-77--153; Garren Poirier, Killington 75-85--160

47-North Dakota (155-152—307) Rick Kuhn, Bismarck 76-75--151; Jeff Lamp, Fargo 79-77--156; Mike Huber, Bismarck 81-83--164

48-Wyoming (153-157—310) Mike Urbatchka, Cody 75-75--150; Nate Wilson, Sheridan 78-82--160; Mark Isakson, Sheridan80-83--163

49-Idaho (156-162—318) Todd Points, Star 76-82--158; Eric Peterson, Nampa 80-80--160; Norris Dancer, Star 85-94--179

50-Montana (155-164—319) Spencer Williams, Helena 79-79--158; Jerry Pearsall, Billings 77-85--162; Bill Dunn, Missoula 78-89--167

51-Alaska (167-162—329); Hal Bret Willardson, Palmer 85-79--164; Tyrone Paulson, Anchorage 88-83--171; Casey Cusack, Anchorage 82-NC--NC