Quincey Reese, Editor in Chief
The Penn-Trafford boys’ and girls’ golf teams have finished all of their section matches and moved on to Team WPIALs. For some players, however, the WPIAL Individual Championship opened up further opportunities for the 2018 season.
Sophomore Alex Turowski, senior Cade Patterson and junior Adam Yamrick of the boys’ golf team all played well enough in the Section Qualifier to move on to the next round of individuals. Turowski advanced from this to the WPIAL Individual Championship, which was held at the prestigious Oakmont Country Club on Oct. 2. He placed eighth at this match, sending him to the Western Regional Individual Playoffs on Oct. 15. At this match, he shot a 79, but did not place high enough to move on to the State Finals.
Turowski said he has done well with remaining consistent and calm during matches, bringing a successful season for himself. He added that practicing over the summer helped him improve and perform better at the WPIAL individuals.
“At individuals, I wasn’t as nervous as I was last year as a freshman. [Last year] I was nervous and couldn’t really concentrate,” Turowski explained. “This year, I was just playing golf. It wasn’t really anything special. It just felt like another round of golf.”
Boys’ team coach Andy Rizzardi said that he feels Turowski has proven to be a strong contender this season.
“He showed in the WPIAL finals that he’s pretty competitive with the top of the class. He can compete, and he’s only a sophomore,” Rizzardi said.
On the girls’ side, sophomore Lauren Barber and senior Ava Green qualified for the WPIAL Individual Championships on Oct. 3 at Diamond Run Country Club, but neither placed high enough to move on to the Western Regionals.
Barber said that getting the chance to compete at WPIAL Individuals with Green was one of her favorite moments of the season, and that she has done well with the long iron and putting aspects of her game.
Green agreed with Barber that qualifying for this match was a part of what made this her best season, in addition to other individual improvements.
“I think this was my best year. I’ve had more confidence in my matches, and I’ve shot some of my best scores this year,” Green said. “[I did well with] not wasting strokes and playing smarter, specifically with putting and chipping.”
The boys’ team ended with a 7-3 mark in their section, placing second, while the girls’ held a record of 10-1 overall and landed an undefeated section title for the second year in a row.
Rizzardi said that he and his players were disappointed to not have won the section like they hoped they would. He added that they still did well overall, because there was a definitive gap between themselves and the third and fourth place teams.
According to four-year team member and senior Jonathan Rizzardi, the group’s chemistry was also a significant part of the season.
“The social aspect of the golf team has been really special to me. A lot of us have been on the team for four years now, so we know what goes on and how to run the team as seniors,” he said.
Girls’ team coach Eddie Herbst also said he is pleased with how his group has done this year, both individually and as a whole.
“We have a group of girls that I am very proud to have on the team. No matter how the season plays out, we have had an enjoyable year, and I have never had a better group of seniors,” Herbst said.
Green mirrored this statement saying, “I like everyone on our team, and we get along really well which makes it even better. We’re close and want to compete to win for each other.”
The WPIAL Team Semifinals occurred on Oct. 9 for the boys and Oct. 8 for the girls.
At this match, the boys shot a 408 and placed fourth, just three shots behind third place. They will not advance to the Team Finals, as this match only accepted the top three teams.
The girls’ scored a 360 and a top four finish out of 10 teams. They advanced to the Team Finals on Oct. 11, along with North Allegheny, Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon, where they placed third overall.