Harford's Hutsell Wins Maryland Open

UPDATE (3:54 p.m.)—David Hutsell hasn’t lived in Harford County since 1989. But he still felt right at home winning the 90th Maryland Open on Wednesday at  in Bel Air.

The class of 1988 Havre de Grace High School graduate got off to a red-hot start and held off young amateur Sean Bosdosh en route to a course-record 65. He shot 70, 72 Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

“It’s very special to me. I grew up in Havre de Grace,” Hutsell said. “To win is special. But to do it here close to home is that much more special.”

The Elkridge Club director of instruction was two shots back entering the final round, but went birdie, eagle, eagle, birdie on holes three through six to reach eight-under for the tournament. He would bogey No. 7 and birdie 10 and 11 en route to a course-record 65.

“[I was] just trying to keep hitting solid shots, get the ball in play,” Hutsell said after his round.

Sean Bosdosh, a 19-year-old amateur, also began the day two back of leaders Jim Estes and John O’Leary both professionals. But the rising sophomore on the University of Maryland’s golf team birdied eight out of 11 holes, including five in a row from No. 7–11, to join Hutsell at nine under with four holes to play.

“Nothing was going through my head other than, ‘Make birdies,’” Bosdosh said. “I didn’t care about winning. All I wanted to do was keep on making birdies. I kept on shooting at pins and just tried my hardest and just let it go.”

Playing one group ahead of Bosdosh, Hutsell parred his final seven holes after going seven-under through 11.

Tied with Hutsell, now a Lutherville resident, entering the final hole, the teenager drove his ball in the left trees on the lengthy par four 18th. After punching out to about 130 yards, Bosdosh hit his third shot to about 12 feet. With Hutsell watching from behind the green, the amateur burned the edge on his par putt to give Hutsell the title.

“I’m a firm believer in God and I just told him, I said I’m just going to trust Him and hit the ball and let it happen,” Bosdosh said. “Whatever happens, happens. The end is the end; it’s fine with me.”

Bosdosh, a Holly Hills Country Club member, won the 2010 Maryland Amateur and reached the quarterfinals this year. He shot 69, 73 in the opening two rounds.

Hutsell’s championship follows a victory at the prestigious national Club Professional Championship in Hershey last month, which will gain him entry into multiple PGA Tour events including this year’s PGA Championship. But he said this title was just as fulfilling.

“Any win’s a win and it feels great,” Hutsell said. “I don’t care who you’re playing against, where it is.”

Estes, playing out of Olney Golf Park, shot his second consecutive even par 72 to finish alone in third at four under.

Maryland Golf and Country Clubs member Billy Wingerd shot 69 to move into a tie for sixth.

Anthony “Serge” Hogg, playing out of Mountain Branch Golf Club in Joppa, shot 76 to fall to nine-over and a tie for 32nd.

The 6,938-yard private course played as a par 72, one stroke less than the traditional 73 for members. The first hole was converted from a par five to a par four.

For complete scores, click here.

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