Qualifying medalist Rucinski will finally get a shot at Merion

   Making the field for the BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship is always a goal for the top amateur golfers in the Philadelphia area.

   But maybe there’s just a smidge more motivation this spring. Might have something to do with the fact that, for the first time since 1954, Merion Golf Club’s historic East Course will be the host. Historic as in five U.S. Opens and that Bobby Jones guy winning the 1930 U.S. Amateur to complete what was then considered the Grand Slam all in one year. The history just sort of oozes out of the strain of bluegrass – famous in its own right – that populates the course.

   That’s why 145 golfers showed up for what turned out to be 18 available berths Monday at Radley Run Country Club and another large group descended on Blue Bell Country Club Tuesday for 19 spots.

   Ryan Rucinski of Fieldstone Golf Club grabbed medalist honors at the 6,726-yard, par-72 Radley Run layout, carding four birdies in an even-par 72.

   Coming off a freshman season at Wilmington College that saw him earn Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Player and Rookie of the Year honors and lead the Wildcats to the NCAA Division II Championship, Rucinski was more than ready for the challenge at Radley Run.

   Besides, the Salesianum product has never played the East and he’s looking forward to the opportunity.

   “I’ve played the West Course a couple of times, but I’ve never seen the East,” Rucinski told the GAP website. “I was set to play there in the (BMW GAP) Team Matches, but it got rained out. It’s a little weird since I’m around the area and it seems like everyone has played it. Now I can’t wait to get there and see what it’s all about.”

   Alex Kane used his home-course advantage at Radley Run to the fullest, carding a 2-over 74 to finish second. A couple of other interesting names among the Radley Run qualifiers were Overbrook Golf Club veteran Oscar Mestre, who had a 76, and Llanerch Country Club’s Stephen Seiden, a two-time U.S. Amateur qualifier who made it on the number with a 77.

   Ben Feld of Green Valley Country Club, a two-time Philadelphia Amateur semifinalist, and Ryan Beck of Old York Road Country Club shared medalist honors Tuesday at Blue Bell, each carding a 1-under 70.

   A couple of top high school golfers also made the cut at Blue Bell. And Peter Bradbeer, a senior at the Friends’ Central School who was only a shot behind the co-medalists with as even-par 71, has to be pretty excited since he is a member at Merion. The Bucknell-bound Bradbeer might be a tough customer if he can get into match play at the East.

   Overbrook’s David Colleran Jr. is also in high school, but he’s just a freshman, although he was a key player in helping Radnor claim the Class AAA District One and PIAA team championships last fall. Colleran carded a 4-over 75 to earn his shot to tee it up at Merion on the number.

   There are two more Philadelphia Amateur qualifiers scheduled, May 21 at Inniscrone Golf Club and May 23 at Fox Hill Country Club.

   Qualifying for match play for the Philadelphia Amateur will be held June 13 with 36 holes at Merion East and Philadelphia Country Club. Two rounds each of match play will follow June 14 and 15 with the scheduled 36-hole final June 18.

   Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Cole Berman, the former Haverford School standout who helped Georgetown win the Big East Championship and earn a berth in the NCAA regionals, is the defending champion.