Fox Chapel golfer David Fuhrer happy to end high school golf career with state medal

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, October 21, 2023 | 11:01 AM

Purchase Photo Options

David Fuhrer felt fulfilled after competing at the Penn State Blue Golf Course last week as part of the PIAA Class 3A championship. The Fox Chapel senior had wrapped up his first appearance on the state’s biggest stage.

While Fuhrer felt he had missed opportunities to score better, he was satisfied after finishing the tournament at 2-under par 142 (72-70).

Fuhrer finished in a four-way tie for 10th place with La Salle College’s John Steven, West Chester Rustins’ Sam Feeney and Manheim Township’s Andrew Bilson. The top 10 finishers receive medals.

“I finished in the top 10 and was in position to win had I made a few more putts,” Fuhrer said. “I thought I played well. After the tournament, I felt I had played up to my standard. It felt good.”

Fuhrer was one of two Fox Chapel golfers to qualify. Davis Kittsley finished in 52nd place by shooting an 11-over par 155.

The competition at the tournament was ferocious. Butler’s Hunter Swidzinski survived a three-man playoff with Penn-Trafford’s Nick Turkowski and Plum’s Wes Lorish to win the championship.

“That was fun to watch,” Fuhrer said. “I was hoping my friend, Nick Turkowski, would win. But it was exciting because all of the guys were from Western Pennsylvania.”

Fuhrer enjoyed playing the course because the layout allows for risk-taking. There aren’t a lot of hazards through the fairway, so golfers could bomb their drives without worrying too much.

“That gave me confidence,” Fuhrer said. “I didn’t have to worry and was able to hit the ball long on my tee shot. I attacked the pin and played aggressively. It was a fun experience.”

Fuhrer was focused all season on earning his first bid for the individual championship. He was able to build his confidence during regular season matches. The Foxes shared the section title with Shaler and had a competitive lineup that forced Fuhrer to play better.

Fuhrer, who has scheduled visits to Radford and High Point, was focused on WPIALs all season. Fuhrer punched his ticket to states by placing fifth overall, a stroke behind Kittsley. Fox Chapel freshman Carson Kittsley also placed 15th at WPIALs to earn a spot as the alternate to states.

Fuhrer was happy to have a teammate join him at the state meet. What Fuhrer would have liked to do better at states was putt.

“It wasn’t the speed of the greens,” Fuhrer said. “I felt like I couldn’t read them. I felt like the speed of the greens was good, I just made a few mistakes.”

Fuhrer was excited to close out his high school career with a solid finish to the year.

“I felt like I played up to my standard,” Fuhrer said. “It was a fun end to my high school career.”

Tags: Fox Chapel