Sim gone but hope remains at NE Penn
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2009 Northeast Pennsylvania Classic | 27 Aug 2009
The Nationwide Tour is without its 2009 star, Michael Sim, this week but the North East Pennsylvania Classic at the Donald Ross designed Elmhurst Golf Club in Moscow, Pennsylvania.
The venue was used for the first time last year when Scott Piercy produced a last round of 64 to defeat Brendan de Jonge and Cameron Percy by two shots. Piercy’s effort then along with his win at the Wichita Open earned him the right to play on the PGA Tour this season.
The recent winners, Tom Gillis, Chris Tidland, Roger Tambellini and Justin Bolli are likely to dispute favouritism although PGA Tour player Spencer Levin is in the field and might be the one to watch.
Cameron Percy gets his chance to atone for his near miss last year but Percy will need to improve on his recent efforts. The Victorian had a great season going up until mid July but his last two starts have resulted in missed cuts and he needs to turn that around. Percy is on the verge of graduating to the PGA Tour in 2010 and this is a good week and venue for him to do just that. A top three finish would accomplish his dream.
Scott Gardiner has found a level of consistency in recent weeks and could go on with it. Gardiner did not do well at this venue last year but his game is in much better shape this year.
David McKenzie, Andrew Buckle, Won Joon Lee, Steve Allan, Paul Gow and Steve Bowditch make up the Australians while New Zealanders, Steve Alker, Brad Iles and Phil Tataurangi also get their chance.
