Texan feeling right at home in Pine Bluff
Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2008
PINE BLUFF — Zack Fischer must like playing in Pine Bluff.
For the second time this summer, Fischer, of Wake Village, Texas, was the medalist at a United States Golf Association qualifying event. This time, Fischer shot a 3-under-par 141 at Harbor Oaks Golf Club to qualify for the U. S. Amateur.
Earlier this summer, Fischer, who attends Texas-Arlington, was the medalist in U. S. Amateur Public Links qualifying at Pine Bluff Country Club.
“I don’t know what it is,” Fischer said, unable to describe his success here.
The Publinx was Fischer’s first opportunity to play in a USGA national event. He shot 80 on the first day and 69 on the second, including a hole-in-one, but missed the cut. He’ll get his second opportunity next month at Pinehurst, N. C.
“This summer has just been something special. I have to thank the Lord because I can’t do it on my own,” Fischer said.
The other qualifying spot went to Arkansas Razorbacks golfer Jason Cuthbertson of Conway, who also shot 3-under-par 141.
“I’m very excited, but it was a long day,” said Cuthbertson, who will be playing in his first USGA national event. “It’s going to be a fun time I’m sure.” Fischer shot an opening round 2-over-par 74, but rallied in the 100-degree heat in the afternoon to shoot 5-under-par 67.
“I wasn’t playing terrible, I just couldn’t get the ball in the hole. The second round, no bogeys and five birdies. It was real special,” Fischer said.
Cuthbertson lost in the semifinals of the Arkansas State Golf Association Match Play on Sunday morning at Harbor Oaks. That enabled him to go back home to get some rest before Monday’s 36-hole qualifier.
“I got to rest up. It gave me the afternoon off. I went home and laid on the couch all day,” Cuthbertson said. “It definitely helped.” Cuthbertson made bogey on the ninth hole, his 36 th of the day, by making a 4-foot putt.
“I knew that 4 under was in, so I was a little upset coming off the last hole,” Cuthbertson said. “I feel a lot better now. I can breathe.” Fort Smith’s Ethan Adamson and Allen McFerran, who beat Cuthbertson on Sunday morning and lost to Pine Bluff’s Wes McNulty on Sunday afternoon, finished tied for third at 2-under-par 142.
It seemed unlikely either would be in contention for a spot when they finished. But as the scores were posted, they remained one stroke behind Fischer.
Conway’s Jeff Campbell and Little Rock’s Kell Shenep were the morning medalists after each shot 5-under-par 67. Campbell was 6 under on the front nine before playing the back nine at 1 over. Campbell shot 76 and Shenep shot 78 in the afternoon round.
The other players to break par in the morning were Cuthbertson (70 ), Mountain Home’s Kirk Brown (71 ), Robby McWilliams of Bossier City, La. (71 ), and Little Rock’s Freddy Wolfe (71 ). Wolfe lost his opportunity when he hit his tee shot into the water on No. 17. Brown shot 78 in the afternoon, while McWilliams shot 72.
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