Miller's Round of 51 Helps Phantoms Light It Up

It’s often been said that playing against good competition brings out the best.

In that case the Pottsgrove squad has to feel pretty good about the amount of respect they are getting from Pioneer Athletic Conference (PAC-10) foes so far this season. In back-to-back matches their opponent posted their low total of the season against the Falcons.

The Phantoms were happy to continue the trend thus far in the season, as they, led by Phantastic Phantom of the week Matt Bierer’s one-over-par round of 48, posted an outstanding score of 259 in a 23-stroke Pioneer Athletic Conference victory.

“It’s like everybody is saving their best day for us,” said Pottsgrove coach Roger Rentschler. “We have played a couple league matches and the teams have put up great numbers against us. Take today for example. Five scores and 54 is the high, that is solid. We have played well, but haven’t been able to have five great scores in a day yet.”

Through eight holes, Bierer and playing partner Brendan Bonner were a combined one-over-par recording three birdies, including back-to-back birdies by Bierer, and 13 pars for the duo as they continued their assault on the course at Pickering Valley Golf Club and the Falcons’ top pairing of Ian Laxton and Brandon Neikam. 

“Neikam played like a No. 1 today, that’s for sure,” said Phantoms coach Steve Winnich. “We had some kids really step up today; 259 is a great day here at Pickering Valley. We were hoping for 268 or so. I am so happy with the way we responded. Rob Miller shooting 51 was a pleasant surprise.”

Neikam and Laxton (55) both hit eight greens in regulation but it was a 70-foot putt that Laxton sank on number six that momentarily claimed the momentum for Pottsgrove and the due combined for a six-over-par after the first nine holes.

The combination of Miller’s 51 (four-over-par) and Bierer (48), who had two puts miss by fractions of an inch along the way, proved to be too much for Pottsgrove as their low score was Neikam with a round of 50.

“I chipped very well today. It really saved me,” said Miller. "I need to more confident with my driver; I was using my five wood off the tee most of the day because I know it’s reliable. I think the most positive aspect of my game today was that I had some really good lag putts, which really took the pressure off making the finishing putts.”

In what was shaping up to be the round of the year, Bierer may have finished with a sub-par round, had he not gotten derailed by the seventh hole where he deposited his tee shot into the lake. The Phantoms senior recovered by making two solid approach shots, posting a bogie after the penalty stroke was assessed.

“I let the round get away in one hole,” said Bierer. “I could have been one-under for the day if I hadn’t put it into the drink. I feel pretty good overall. My goal to start the season was to be under 50 in every round for the year.  It just stinks to let an opportunity get away like that, but we played very well as a team today, and 259 is a great score.”

Pottsgrove (282)    

Brandon Neikam        50

Ian Laxton                55       

Brandon Stone          56

Max Thrythall            60

Alex O’Brien              61

Chris Walmsley            61

Jim Walmsley               64

Luke O’Sisek               71

Phoenixville (259)

 Matt Bierer                48

Rob Miller                   51

Jon Henry Leech         53

Brendan Bonner         53

Joe Moser                  54       

Liam Bonner                 61

Andrew Peterson          66

Matt Thompson            68