Rohanna pulls away to win Pennsylvania Open a second time

   Robert Rohanna, the former Penn State standout from Waynesburg, breezed to the title in the 100^th Pennsylvania Open, sponsored by Allegheny Health Network, by six shots with a final round of 4-under 68 at The Club at Nevillewood in Presto Wednesday.

   Rohanna finished the 54-hole event at 12-under 204, the lowest total since Rohanna won his first Pennsylvania Open title with a 201 total at Applebrook Golf Club in 2010. His six-shot margin of victory was the largest since the Pennsylvania Open went to a 54-hole format in 1997 and the biggest overall since Bob Ford won the title by seven shots at Aronimink Golf Club in 1981.

   Rohanna collected the top prize of $8,000 out of a total purse of $40,000.

   “It was a great week,” Rohanna told the Pennsylvania Golf Association website. “I knew the course fit well for me.  I’ve been hitting the ball well for a couple of weeks now and this is the result.”

   After a birdie-bogey start, Rohanna really got rolling when he needed just a 7-iron to end up four feet from the hole at the par-5 third hole in two and sank the putt for an eagle. He added a birdie at the fourth and reached the par-5 seventh in two, again with a 7-iron, and two-putted for birdie.

   Cole Willcox, the former Malvern Prep standout, headed a group of four players tied for second at 6-under 210. Willcox had grabbed the first-round lead with a 5-under 67, had a 1-over 73 in Tuesday’s second round and finished up with a 2-under 70.

   Willcox was joined at that figure by Mike Van Sickle of McKees Rocks, who had a second straight 68 after opening up with a 76, David Denlinger of Lancaster, who carded his third straight 70, and Daniel Obremski of Irwin, who had a final-round 70.

   Sunnybrook Golf Club assistant pro Corey McAlarney had a final-round 74 and finished in a tie for sixth with Jimmy Ellis of Venetia, who was the low amateur, at 5-under 211. Ellis added a final-round 70 to his first two rounds of 70 and 71.

   Oakmont Country Club pro Devin Gee and another amateur, Mitchell Mercer, finished in a tie for eighth at 4-under 212. Gee had a final-round 74 while Mercer posted a 1-under 71.

   Beau Titsworth of Wexford and amateurs JD Hughes of Carlisle and Luke Miller of Venetia shared 10^th place at 3-under 213. Titsworth fired a final-round 68, Hughes had a 73 and Miller had a 75.

Stu Ingraham, the head of instruction at the M Golf Range in Newtown Square and Spring-Ford Country Club head pro Rich Steinmetz led a group of five players tied for 13^th at 2-under 212.  Ingraham had a second straight 73 after opening with a 4-under 68 while Steinmetz fired a final-round 69.

   Also at 2-under 212 were Kevin Kraft, the director of golf at the Bumble Bee Golf Center who had a final-round 69, Thomas Steve of Upper St. Clair, who had a final-round 74, and Tom Keenan of Erie, who had a final-round 74.