Players pay tribute to tournament's namesake on 1st day of Fuhrer Invitational

A golf cart sits between the ninth green and 10th tee at the Pittsburgh Field Club.

It represents a shrine to the late Frank B. Fuhrer Jr., who died May 21. It was one of the spots where Fuhrer would sit and watch his tournament and greet the players.

His other favorite spot was on a rocking chair near the first tee box.

“Mr. Fuhrer is sorely missed by everyone,” Oakmont native Spencer Mellon said. “I can speak for everyone here.”

Mellon was the first round co-leader of the Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Invitational, shooting a 1-under 69. He finished his second round tied for sixth with Irwin native Dan Obremski at 2-over 140. Obremski also shot a 69 during Round One.

Three-time champion David Bradshaw of Harper’s Ferry, W. Va., Pittsburgh native Mike Van Sickle and professional Michael McGowan were tied for the lead after Day One at 1-under 139.

Greensburg native Mark Goetz and professional Piri Borja were tied for fourth at even-par 140.

“When we got to the ninth hole and I looked behind the green, there was a golf cart sitting there with no one in it.” Mellon said. “I asked the woman at the 10th tee, ‘Was that in honor?’ and it was.

“It was a nice tribute. It was telling everyone here, obviously he was not, that he was watching. Having him here was always a fun thing, and it was always nice to see him around.”

Mellon said it was special to start off with a good round. He remembers one of his first encounters with Fuhrer during a previous tournament.

This is Mellon’s seventh time playing in the tournament.

“It was my first tournament in 2016. I had tried to get invited a couple years before I turned pro,” Mellon said. “I finally got the invite and I almost won. I ended up messing up the final couple holes, and Mr. Fuhrer walked up to me after the round and said, ‘I love you, buddy. You played great. I honestly didn’t think you were that good.’

“I came in third place. It was funny because it was exactly how he was. He’s loving and very up front and forward, but everyone loved him for it.”

Obremski, who has played in the past 10 tournaments, said this year’s was kind of odd.

“I always looked forward to walking off No. 9 and shaking his hand and showing the gratitude for him for allowing us to be here,” Obremski said. “He’s been beneficial for my career. It’s a little bittersweet.”

Indiana native Matt Holuta, who now lives and plays in Florida, said he has fond memories of Fuhrer.

“He put this event on for guys like me,” Holuta said. “There isn’t another event like this. People don’t treat us this good on the mini-tours. That’s the biggest memory I have, his generosity. This event is second to none.

“So I certainly I miss his presence here. They have the cart down by No. 9. He would always ask how you’re doing, how’s the course playing. The course is always playing hard here, like he liked it.”

Holuta is tied for 13th at 5-over 145.

Previous winner Eric Cole, Chase Johnson, Jason Li, Jimmy Meyers and Thadd Obency II are tied for eighth at 4-over 144.

The third round will begin 7:30 a.m. Tuesday and the final round is Wednesday.