Rick Wilson, Associated Press Workers prepare the famous 17th hole island green this week at TPC Sawgrass as work continues to reconstruct the course fairways and greens as well as build a new clubhouse at the course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Click photo for larger image. Birdies & Bogeys: 5/17/06 This week's Lipouts: 5/17/06 Next on the tee: 5/17/06

The Tri-State PGA Match Play Championship -- the first "major" tournament of the local season -- is scheduled to conclude today at Chartiers Country Club, a possibility about as whimsical as the Pirates making the playoffs.

Rain has postponed or interrupted each of the first two days of the three-day competition, leaving a field of 32 players trying to finish the tournament today or tomorrow, or possibly at a later date.

Complicating matters is that some players remaining in the field, including defending champion Sean Farren and part-time Champions Tour player Roy Vucinich, are scheduled to compete in the 18-hole U.S. Open local qualifier tomorrow at Quicksilver Golf Club.

"That's where it gets complicated," said Dennis Darak, executive director of the TSPGA. "We will be sensitive to that if we have [Open qualifier] players in the semifinal or final round. We may have to postpone to a later date."

More rain is forecast today, making it highly unlikely that more than two rounds -- if any -- will be completed. After the 18-hole qualifying round was washed out Monday, 61 players were seeded (based on the 2005 TSPGA money list) and the first round was completed yesterday morning, despite near unplayable conditions.

But an afternoon storm wiped out the second round, bringing the remaining players back today in an attempt to reduce the field and possibly crown a champion tomorrow.

"We would like to play three rounds, which was our goal [yesterday]," Darak said. "But we'll take whatever the weather gives us."

Amateur hour

It might be a sign of the times that more amateurs (42) than professionals (29) are entered in the Open qualifier at Quicksilver, which is also preparing to play host to a Hooters Tour event next week.

Or it just could be another indication that young players dream of an opportunity to qualify for America's national championship, and club professionals have become more realistic of the odds.

The number of local professionals who enter the first stage of qualifying appears to dip each year. Even at the other local qualifier Monday at Scotch Valley in Hollidaysburg, Pa., 21 amateurs and 18 professionals are in the field.

"I have no idea why," said Jeff Rivard, executive director of the West Penn Golf Association. "I think maybe what we have is a reasonable number of college players whose coaches are saying, 'You need to go do the Open local.' That would be my guess."

Also included in the field at Quicksilver are Oakmont pro Bob Ford, former Pennsylvania Open champion Ryan Sikora, seven-time West Penn Amateur champion Sean Knapp and former TSPGA money winner Kevin Shields.

Former Oakmont assistant Billy Anderson, head professional at Eagle Point Golf Club in Wilmington, N.C., is among the 39 players in the field at Scotch Valley. Anderson, a Hollidaysburg native, holds the course record at Scotch Valley (62).

Trivia

What player invented the modern sand wedge? Answer at end.

Next step

Three area players already have made it to the sectional qualifier for the U.S. Open, which is June 15-18 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y.

Former PGA Tour player Bob Friend, who is based at Pikewood Golf Club near Morgantown, W.Va., shot 3-under 69 and was medalist at Sharks Tooth Golf Club in Lake Powell, Fla.

Franklin's Justin Smith, who played at Moon High School, shot 70 and tied for medalist at Maumee Bay State Park in Toledo, Ohio. And mini-tour player Steve Wheatcroft of Washington shot 70 and was one of seven qualifiers at Cherry Valley Club in Garden City, N.Y.

Nathan Smith of Brookville is still exempt into sectional qualifying after winning the 2004 U.S. Mid-Amateur championship.

Ball restrictions

Don't look for the West Penn Golf Association to follow the lead set by its neighbors in Ohio.

The Ohio Golf Association will provide a designated golf ball to all participants in the Ohio Champions Tournament, a 36-hole event Aug. 22-23 at Windy Knoll Golf Club in Springfield, Ohio. It is an attempt by the OGA to provide a standard ball that scales back the distance the ball is flying -- a solution that has been mentioned for tournaments such as the Masters and PGA Championship.

"I wasn't very curious about it and I haven't asked them," Rivard said. "We're not interested."

Quotable

Colin Montgomerie, on believing in what you're doing on the golf course: "If you hole seven putts in a row, you believe the eighth one is going to go in, too. If you miss seven in a row, you don't believe the eighth one is going to go in, either. And it doesn't."

Dissa and data

The Tri-State PGA will have a "Play Golf America" day from 1-6 p.m. Saturday at Scally's Golf Center in Moon and from noon-5 p.m. May 28 at Tam O'Shanter Golf Club in Hermitage. Local golf professionals will provide free lessons to players of all ages and skill level. Refreshments are included.

The Myron Cope & Friends charity tournament is June 18 at Montour Heights Country Club. The tournament, which is in its 25th year, benefits the Autism Society of Pittsburgh. Call, 412-563-7487 or 412-856-7223.

The 19th Summer Family tournament, sponsored by Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, begins June 6 and runs till Aug 25 at 36 participating courses in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The tournament is open to all players, with no age limit or handicap requirement. All youths 16 and under play for free when accompanied by a paying adult. For information call, 1-800-833-8798.

Trivia answer

Gene Sarazen invented the sand wedge, which is used when playing a ball from a sand trap, in 1930.