Freedom grad Kluemper headlines qualifying at Lehigh Valley Amateur

After becoming the first golfer in Centenary College history to break par, Steve Kluemper decided to change his swing. He spent the summer with Paul Viola, the head pro at Bethlehem Golf Club, looking to play more consistently and neutralize his pull hook.

The Freedom High graduate sacrificed scoring this summer to remake his game, but the move paid off Sunday. Kluemper shot a 1-under 70 at Green Pond to win medalist honors at the 77th Lehigh Valley Amateur.

The 20-year-old Kluemper was the only player under par on the final day of qualifying, where 79 was the magic number for the championship flight. Eight players who shot 80 will convene Tuesday in a playoff for the flight's final spot, which brings a first-round match against defending champ Robin McCool.

Among the players shooting even-par 71 were Bethlehem Catholic sophomore Nick Maff and Emmaus senior Grant Schumaker. Both are former L.V. Amateur junior champs who expect to compete this week after they play in Monday's Lehigh Valley Conference tournament, though.

A total of 64 players will begin championship-flight match play Thursday, and winners will be crowned in five other divisions. The championship matches are scheduled for Sunday at Green Pond.

Kluemper, who reached the tournament's third round in 2010, won the Division III Colonial States Athletic Conference title last spring in his first season at Centenary. He also shot rounds of 68 and 71, becoming the program's first player to break par in a match.

Tired of hitting just 9-10 greens a round, however, Kluemper went to work with Viola, who coaches a number of young players, on his swing. He played fewer tournaments while undergoing the makeover, seeking to be ready for this week.

Kluemper made five birdies Sunday, including three in a four-hole span mid-round, to reach the 16th hole at 5-under par. There he had his only hiccup, making a double bogey from a bunker in front of the par 5. Two easy pars to finish led Kluemper into the finish as the tournament's No. 2 seed.

"I wasn't really nervous at the 17th tee, because I was playing a good round," Kluemper said. "One bad short-game shot wasn't going to change that. This was a very exciting round for me. It shows I'm becoming more consistent."

Schumaker and Maff are part of the tournament's young contingent expecting to challenge in match play. Schumaker, who will defend his LVC title today, averaged 72.6 for Emmaus this season. He will play at Robert Morris next year.

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Freedom grad Kluemper headlines qualifying at Lehigh Valley Amateur