Published: July 10, 2008 11:04 pm            

PORTER CUP: Former champs Han, Harman to return

NIAGARA FALLS — For the first time in nearly two decades, it’s conceivable that the last two Porter Cup champions could duel at Niagara Falls Country Club for another title when the storied event marks its golden anniversary later this month.

That’s because 2006 champion Seung Su Han and 2007 champ Brian Harman will be in attendance, according to Steve Denn, the tournament’s director.

Denn announced the participants for the 2008 Porter Cup at a media luncheon held at the club on Thursday, and said the tournament’s field has been expanded from 75 players to 84 players since the senior event has been extracted from the main tournament and moved to its own September date.

Also, Denn said the field will include a half-dozen golfers with local ties, including Kenmore’s Peter Creighton, who shot a 69 at the qualifier on June 30th.

“It’s the most local guys we’ve ever had,” Denn said. “And it speaks well of Western New York golf.”

Also on the roster is Billy Horschel, currently the second-ranked amateur player in the world, and a fifth-place finisher at last year’s event. Kevin Tway, the son of PGA pro Bob Tway, is in the field as is Tim Mickelson, the brother of Phil Mickelson.

All told, representatives from nine countries will be on hand, and three of the top six amateurs in the world will take part, according to Golfweek’s Scratch Players world amateur ranking.

Unfortunately, the Porter Cup’s field ebbs and flows with the Walker Cup, which is held every other year. On Walker Cup years — the tournament is the amateur equivalent of the Ryder Cup — many high amateurs maintain their status until after the Cup is played. On off years, however, many of the top college players turn pro after graduation.

“You don’t see a lot of first-team all-Americans in this field,” Denn said. “But we’re very happy with the players we’ve got coming.”

        

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