Oakmont resident Sean Knapp rallies to win USGA Senior Amateur

Sean Knapp's daughter, Taylor, left Riverview High School a little early Thursday.

Not because she was ill, but because she was too nervous as she watched on her phone as her dad won his first United States Golf Association title.

Knapp, who has played in 42 USGA events, defeated Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C., 2 and 1, at Minikahda Golf Club in Minneapolis, Minn., to win the USGA Senior Amateur.

It was a win that came after many disappointments, but the calm and cool Knapp found a way to end the tough stretch of losses.

The see-saw match was tied through 13 holes before Knapp, 55, pulled away for the win. He won Nos. 14 and 16 to go 2 up.

While preparing for a 15-foot putt on No. 17, good friend Nathan Smith, who along with Knapp's family (wife Suzanne and daughters Kensey and Taylor) were following the match on Twitter, tweeted ‘make the putt and win it.'

“It was a nasty putt,” Knapp said. “But I knew it was in about halfway to the hole, and I raised my arms.

“Someone asked me before the tournament would I regret not winning after coming so close in other big events. I said no, but after winning, this is pretty awesome — a blessing.”

The Oakmont resident said that next to winning the Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Invitational three times, this was the biggest win of his career.

Knapp won the Tri-State Open earlier this year and finished second in the West Penn Amateur at Sunnehanna Country Club in July after leading by two shots with nine holes left.

“This course was set up so tough, and the wind was blowing,” Knapp said. “It was tough to get to the holes. It became a chess match.”

Knapp talked earlier in the week about getting opponents to blink and become uncomfortable in matches, and that's what he did to Simson.

“To be in this environment is special,” Knapp said. “There is a picture of Bobby Jones in the clubhouse, and this course has so much history.

“Winning this event and even making the finals carries so much for a golfer. I picked up so many exemptions.”

He has qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur for the next 10 years, the U.S. Amateur for two years, the Mid-Am for three years, the U.S. Senior Open for two years and the U.S. Open Sectional in 2018.

Knapp said playing matches and tournaments against Smith, Dave Brown and all the other talented golfers from Western Pennsylvania prepared him for this event.

His victory didn't come without difficulties. He cracked his driver during the qualifier and was forced to use different drivers the rest of the tournament. He made a small adjustment with his hands after Brown, who was the medalist and top seed, made a suggestion. Brown caddied for Knapp the final three rounds.

Knapp said those things helped him win.

“There were times that I played well and walked away disappointed,” Knapp said. “It would have been easy to be discouraged coming into this event.

“But if you don't want to experience disappointment, don't play golf. If you don't want to experience disappointment in big events, don't play this sport well.

“I've had a lot of close calls, but the experience you get when playing big boy events, helped me.”

And for the first time in a USGA event, Knapp walked away on top.

Something he'll cherish forever.