May 29, 2009
University Park, Pa. - Two former Nittany Lion golfers have earned medalist honors at U.S. Open local qualifiers and will now advance to sectional qualifiers in a quest to make the 2009 U.S. Open. Robert Rohanna (2008) and Greg Pieczynski (2006) have both secured their spots in the upcoming U.S. Open sectional qualifiers tournaments with first place finishes in their separate local locations. 2009 graduate Chad Bricker and rising senior Kevin Foley both finished their local qualifiers as alternates.
Rohanna competed at Nemacolin's Woodland Resort in Farmington, Pa., on May 22 where he shot a 71. Rohanna was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and led Penn State to its third NCAA Championship appearance in the modern era with a second place finish in the NCAA Central Regional in 2008.
Pieczynski shot the lowest round, 69, on May 21 at Huntsville Golf Club in Shavertown, Pa., to secure his position. Pieczynski qualified for the Nationwide Tour's Northeast Pennsylvania Classic in August of 2008. He also owns the Nittany Lions' sixth best all-time career scoring average at 74.46 and twice earned Mid-Atlantic All-Region honors.
Rohanna will play his sectional qualifier on June 8 at Brookside Golf and Country Club in Columbus, Ohio while Pieczynski will play his sectional on June 8 at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md.
Also participating in U.S. Open qualifying play were two members of the 2009 Penn State men's golf team. 2009 graduate Chad Bricker and soon-to-be senior Kevin Foley (Sommerville, N.J.) both finished as alternates in their local qualifiers. Foley, a first-team All-Big Ten selection, competed in his home state at the Haworth Country Club in Haworth, N.J. Bricker, a second-time local qualifying alternate, played at the Dauphin Highlands Golf Club in Harrisburg, Pa.
The 2009 U.S. Open is to be played June 18-21 at Bethpage State Park's Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y.
For updates on the Nittany Lion graduates during the U.S. Open qualifying season please visit GoPSUSports.com