The difference was obvious from their shoes. Eighteen-year-old Mark Erlewine Jr., playing in his first Metropolitan Amateur Championship, wore golf shoes that looked like sneakers, except for the soft spikes underneath. Sixty-three-year-old Ed Heimann, who said he played his first Met when he was about Erlewine's age, sported a more traditional leather-and-lizard shoe. They were the oldest and youngest players entered in this year's tournament.

| ZOOM |	| ZOOM |
Mark Erlewine Jr. (left) plays Mike Thomas in one semifinal today. (Dick Swaim photos)

        This time, youth prevailed, as Erlewine defeated Heimann 4 and 3 in the second round of match play Thursday morning at Traditions Golf Club in Burlington, Ky. Erlewine then defeated Nick Lykins 2-up in the afternoon to advance to the semifinal round.

        “Even to make it to match play is an accomplishment,” Erlewine said. “But I want to win every time I go out there.”

        Erlewine, who will be a senior at Covington Catholic High School, is picking up some good habits from his older opponents.

        “They're all very patient,” he said. “They don't get all upset after a bad shot.”

Medalist Jim Ebel found the deep, deep rough on the third hole. | ZOOM |

Jim Volpenhein is shooting for his seventh Met title. | ZOOM |

        Erlewine advances to today's semifinal round and will play Mike Thomas, who defeated Barry Wehrman Jr. (2-up) and Jim Ebel (1-up) Thursday. Thomas and Ebel had to play two extra holes to settle their match. Ebel, who was the medalist entering match play thanks to a 65 Monday and a 72 Tuesday, won the 17th and 18th Thursday to erase a two-hole deficit.

        “I knew he was playing hot,” Thomas said. “People say anything can happen in match play.”

        On the second extra hole, Thomas landed his second shot 15 feet from the hole. Ebel's went in the sand.

        “That was my break,” Thomas said.

        Jim Volpenhein, the only remaining Traditions-based player of 22 who started the tournament, is in the semifinals after defeating Lance Lucas (5 and 3) and Dave Macke (2-up), also of Traditions.

        Robert Gerwin II will meet Volpenhein in the semifinals. Gerwin defeated last year's runner-up, Tim Donovan (2 and 1), and Neil Lykins, Nick's brother, (2-up) Thursday.

Men's Met scores, pairings
Tristate golf guide

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