Quaker Valley senior has WPIAL golf championship in his sights

By: Ray Fisher
Saturday, August 17, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Ethan Dai finished as the WPIAL Class 2A runner-up in boys golf last year.

Dai, a senior, certainly would like to take that next step to an individual championship this season.

However, he’s all about a team-first mentality.

“My personal goal for this year is to help take my team as far as possible,” Dai said. “Our early expectations are for everyone to just do their best and give it their all.”

Dai, who also competes in track and field, experienced an unforgettable golf season in 2023.

After taking second in the WPIAL playoffs, Dai tied for fourth at the PIAA tournament at Penn State.

“Ethan will vie for a WPIAL individual championship again,” QV coach Greg Vecchi said. “He leads by example with the way he plays and how he carries himself on the course. He has a lot of tournament experience and doesn’t get flustered.

“Ethan was fantastic last season as our low average guy, second in the WPIAL and he had a very solid performance at states.”

Dai was the first-round leader at the WPIAL finals thanks to a 3-under par 69 that included four birdies, one bogey and 13 pars. After making birdies on the first two holes on the back nine, he wrapped up his day at Willowbrook’s 6,431-yard, par-72 blue course with seven consecutive pars.

The QV linkster was the only one among the 69 golfers in 2A able to shoot a score in the 60s in either round of the WPIAL championships.

He added a 75 at Butler’s on Day 2 to end up second, two shots behind Frazier’s Nixen Erderly.

“I was a little disappointed after finishing second at WPIALs, but that’s just more motivation for me to get even better,” Dai said following the season. “I finished tied for fourth at the PIAA playoffs with a 1-over and 1-under. I was pretty happy with how I finished making a little bit of a comeback on the second day.

“I think I played well in the state tournament. Although I didn’t win, I put up a respectable score.”

A three-time PIAA qualifier, Dai is averaging close to 300 yards per drive. He said that part of his game is his best and sets up the others (iron play, chipping, putting, etc.).

“Over the summer, I’ve been mainly trying to improve my long game,” Dai said.

Dai and senior Nolan Wagoner are the two longest hitters for QV and served as unofficial team captains last season.

The twosome led the Quakers to a co-championship with Eden Christian in Section 9-2A in 2023. And both repeated as WPIAL qualifiers.

Quaker Valley ended up 8-2 in section play after winning the section title in 2022 with a 10-0 record.

Dai finished first with a 1-under 70 at the section qualifier at Rolling Acres. Wagoner tied for second with a 74 at the section qualifier and shot a 167 at WPIALs.

Three other returning starters at QV are juniors Will Newlin, Ryan Dusch and Makenna Kamnikar, along with part-timer Henry Zupanc.

“Will and Makenna have shown improvement over last season,” Vecchi said. “It’s easy to see they have worked hard on their games in the offseason.”

Two top freshman golfers ready to make an impact in 2024 are Joey Kamnikar and Ty Stofko.

“I’ve seen Joey play over the years,” Vecchi said. “His game was always good, but now it’s even better because he’s practiced and played a lot and has gotten taller and stronger.

“I am also impressed with Ty’s play and how he carries himself on the course. He’s looks really relaxed for a freshman.”

Quaker Valley and Mohawk tied for third in last year’s WPIAL 2A team tournament with a score of 431.

“I’m really excited for our team this season,” Vecchi said. “We were pretty young and a little inexperienced last season. I wasn’t too surprised with our finish because they were all solid, young golfers who cared and gave great effort.

“I really believe another section title, in the least, could be earned.”

The Quakers were set to open the season Aug. 14 against Eden Christian at Harmony Ridge Golf Club.

Their first home match at Sewickley Heights Golf Club is scheduled for Aug. 22 against Sewickley Academy.

Tags: Quaker Valley