Gallo, Fitzgerald Monday Qualify for Nationwide Event Cleveland stars set to play together in first two rounds
July 1 by Dom Dastoli Hershey, PA-For the third time in as many weeks, The Cleveland Golf Tour will be represented by at least one player in a Nationwide Tour event. Kyle Gallo and Jesse Fitzgerald turned the trick this time around as they carded matching rounds of 5-under par 67 to earn two of 14 spots into the Reese’s Cup Classic, which begins this Thursday at Hershey Golf Club. Playing at Blue Ridge Golf Club, Gallo’s round was cruising along nicely as he was 2-under par through 15 holes. He kicked it into overdrive with birdies on 16 and 17, though, as he “figured 4-under par would get in.” He then added a closing birdie on 18 for a little insurance. “You know you have to go low in these qualifiers,” said Gallo. Fitzgerald, meanwhile, captured one of seven qualifying spots available at Dauphin Highlands Golf Club. This marks the third time he has attempted to Monday qualify for a Nationwide event. When informed that he will be paired with Gallo for the first two rounds, Fitzgerald seemed comforted, saying “It’s a familiar face.” Sean O’Hair, another Cleveland star, shot a 3-under par 69 but was eliminated on the first hole of a playoff for the two remaining spots. Brian Quinn was also part of that playoff but was denied in his bid to make the field of 150. Just last week, O’Hair himself qualified for a Nationwide Event, missing the cut by a single shot. That appearance marked the second time this season O’Hair has qualified for a Nationwide event, having finished 28th in the First Tee Arkansas Classic in April. Gallo figures to do well in this tournament as he has both the experience of playing this course in college and the confidence to know he can play on this level given that he has Monday qualified several times before. When asked what separates his game from the Nationwide or PGA Tour level, Gallo refused to put his skills on a lower scale. “I don’t see the difference,” he said. “I’m there physically and I’m there mentally.” Monday qualifying for a Nationwide or PGA Tour event serves as every developmental tour player’s most prized opportunity, a precious chance to prove that they can compete on the biggest stage in professional golf. More important than the increased purses, any non-exempt player who finishes in the top 25 of a Nationwide event automatically gains entrance into the following weeks’ tournament. As for those lucrative distractions, Fitzgerald maintains that “it’s easy to block that out” once you step onto the first tee. In an area that is known for its Hershey chocolate factory, both of these young stars are hoping that their games will be as sweet as a Hershey kiss on Valentine’s Day. |
