Kutchma, Wessel reach match play at U.S. Junior Amateur

The REPORTER

Westfield’s Hudson Kutchma and Guerin Catholic’s Eli Wessel were usually pitted against each other on the golf course during their high school years.

But on Wednesday, the duo did something remarkable.

The recent graduates of their respective schools were among the 14 players vying for the final two spots in the match play portion of the U.S. Junior Amateur at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa. A playoff was needed to determine those final two positions.

The two county players made quick work of that playoff, taking the final two places. Both men birdied the first hole, along with China’s Zilin Gao. All the other players made par or bogeyed. On the second hole, Kutchma and Wessel made par, while Gao made a bogey, finishing the playoff.

Kutchma and Wessel thus advanced to match play, but were paired against tough opponents who defeated them in the first round of match play.  Kutchma played the No. 1 seed, Braydon Jones of Seal Beach, Calif., with Jones winning 4&3. Wessel faced the No. 2 seed, Miles Russell of Jacksonville Beach, Fla. Russell won 6&5.