Penn-Trafford’s Turowski doesn’t hold back, leads Class 3A golf championship
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Monday, September 25, 2023 | 9:22 PM
Norwin senior Alex Graham hits a shot from the bunker on No. 15 at Latrobe Country Club during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023.
Balldwin freshman Michael Quallich (center) and North Allegheny sophomore Colin Ward (right) point to the direction of Hampton senior Matt Erka’s drive on No. 16 at Latrobe Country Club on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
Peters Township junior Colton Lusk watches his drive on No. 17 at Latrobe Country Club during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023.
Baldwin freshman Michael Quallich hits a chip shot on No. 16 at Latrobe Country Club on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
Upper St. Clair junior Connor McKenzie lines up a birdie putt on No. 10 at Latrobe Country Club Sept. 25, 2023 during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
Penn-Trafford senior Nick Turowski hits a drive on No. 17 at Latrobe Country Club on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
Franklin Regional sophomore Dylan Mauser hits a drive on No. 15 at Latrobe Country Club on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
Upper St. Clair junior Connor McKenzie reacts after missing a birdie putt on No. 10 at Latrobe Country Club on Monday, Sept. 25, 202, during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
Shaler senior Jake Crissman hits a shot from the bunker on No. 17 at Latrobe Country Club on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
Penn-Trafford senior Nick Turowski wasn’t just trying to qualify for the final round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship on Monday. He played the first round like it was the final round.
“I played to win,” Turowski said. “I was aggressive, and I didn’t hold back.”
Turowski, who won the WPIAL title in 2021 at Nemacolin Country Club and finished second in 2022 at Allegheny Country Club, heads to the final round Oct. 2 at Valley Brook Country Club in McMurray with a one-shot lead after shooting an even-par 72.
Upper St. Clair junior Connor McKenzie, a member at Valley Brook, followed with a 1-over 73.
North Allegheny sophomore Ravi Desai and Fox Chapel junior Davis Kittsley are tied for third after shooting a 4-over 76, Butler senior Hunter Swidzinski is fifth at 5-over and tied for sixth at 6-over are Peters Township junior Colton Lusk and Shaler junior Jacob Crissman. Three players, including Latrobe sophomore Jack Sacriponte, are tied for eighth at 7-over.
The top 36 players and ties, a total of 39 players, advanced to the final round.
Turowski birdied the four par 5s (Nos. 3, 6, 14 and 15) and bogeyed the four par 3s (No. 2, 4, 10 and 12).
“I used my length off the tee,” Turowski said. “I trusted my driver on Nos. 3 and 5 when other players would lay up.
“I never played Valley Brook yet, but I asked Justin Moose what it was like. He told me it’s a bomber’s dream.”
Moose, an Irwin native, recently won a Tri-State Section PGA event at Valley Brook.
McKenzie is excited about his position going to the final round on his home course.
“I’m hoping my knowledge of the course benefits me,” McKenzie said. “I was pleased how I played. I feel I’m in great position.
“Valley Brook has very fast greens. It’s long — extremely long — but you have to stay below the cup.”
Other Westmoreland County golfers to advance were Hempfield Area senior Caden Biondi (81), Norwin senior Alex Graham (81), Latrobe’s Parker Berk (81) and Franklin Regional sophomore Dylan Mauser (82).
Class 2A
Quaker Valley junior Ethan Dai grabbed the first-round lead at Willowbrook Country Club after shooting a 3-under 69.
The Class 2A Championship is Oct. 2 at Butler Country Club.
Brownsville senior Daniel Sethman and Elizabeth Forward freshman Aaron Didjunas are tied for second at 1-under 71, and Frazier senior Nixen Erdely is fourth at even par 72.
Tied for fifth at 1-over 73 are Our Lady of the Sacred Heart sophomore Jonah Schollaert and Belle Vernon sophomore Jordan Mocello.
The top 36 golfers and ties (37 total) advanced to the finals.
Other Westmoreland County golfers to advance were Belle Vernon senior Rogan Maloney (76), Mt. Pleasant junior Ryan Karfelt (79), Belle Vernon junior Seth Tomalski (80), Belle Vernon senior John Bellisimo (80), Ligonier Valley sophomore Tyler Jones (80), Greensburg Central Catholic junior Braden Riley (81) and Greensburg Central Catholic senior Mike Mullaney (81).
Knoch senior Mason Phillips and Burrell junior Tucker Bitar are tied for 31st and shooting 12-over 84.
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
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