A-K Valley athletes of the week: Leechburg’s Cole Villa, Fox Chapel’s Erin Drahnak

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, September 25, 2018 | 5:06 PM

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Cole Villa

School: Leechburg

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Golf

Report card: Villa fired an 81 at Penn Hills’ 3 Lakes Golf Course at last week’s Section 1 individual qualifier. He finished two strokes under the target score of 83 to advance to Thursday’s WPIAL Class AA boys golf championship at Sewickley’s Allegheny Country Club. He has a season average of 40. Villa shot a season-low 38 against Freeport at Buffalo Golf Club. He’s also a member of the Blue Devils basketball team, where he plays shooting guard.

How old were you when you first picked up a golf club?

I was 2, but I started playing competitively when I was 5. I competed in the US Kids Golf Tour.

How did 3 Lakes Golf Course play last Monday?

It was pretty wet. Not much roll in the fairways. As the day went on, the rain started coming down.

What’s the strongest part of your golf game?

I would say chipping and putting. The short game.

What’s your favorite course to play?

Probably Lenape Heights. It’s pretty challenging but I like it.

What do you know about Allegheny Country Club?

I’ve played there before, but it was a couple of years ago. … I’ve heard that it’s really well-maintained. It’s a fast course.

What’s the most challenging course to play in your section?

Hillcrest Country Club; that’s Burrell’s home course. The greens are really fast and it’s hilly.

Where’s your favorite hole?

Hole No. 1 at Lenape Heights. It’s pretty challenging, short and you go downhill.

What kind of clubs do you play with?

Titleist are my irons, TaylorMade woods, Scotty Cameron putter, Vokey wedges.

What’s your favorite club in your bag?

My 56-degree sand wedge. That’s what I use to chip with, and I’m pretty accurate with from about 100 yards out.

Do you have any holes-in-one?

No. I’ve been close a couple of times.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

LeBron James, Rickie Fowler and Jayson Tatum.

What three words best describe you?

Hard-working. Passionate. Committed.

What’s your favorite golf movie?

Definitely “Happy Gilmore,” not even close.

What’s your most memorable moment from this past summer?

I’ve had a lot good times playing some practice rounds with my friends at Lenape and driving around in a cart.

What’s your favorite subject at school?

College prep history 10.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I write with my left hand, golf right-handed, throw a football right-handed. I eat with my left hand, too. I don’t know why.

Erin Drahnak

School: Fox Chapel

Class: Freshman

Sport: Golf

Report card: Drahnak shot 79 at last week’s Section 4 individual qualifier at Butler’s Suncrest Golf Club to advance to the Class AAA championship at Diamond Run Golf Club. Her score came in 11 strokes under the target score. This season, Drahnak shot a 38 at Highland Golf Club and a 39 at both Pittsburgh Field Club and Pittsburgh North Gold Club. She also is a member of the Hidden Valley Race Club where competes in the giant slalom and slalom. Drahnak also earned a first-place finish in the local US Kids Tour 12-14 age group over the summer and earned a third-place finish at this summer’s Canadian International Invite.

How old were you when you first picked up a golf club?

I was 8 years old.

What’s the strongest part of your golf game?

Definitely my long game, especially my drivers.

What’s your favorite course to play?

That would be my home course, Wildwood Golf Club. I love Pinehurst No. 6. I really wanted to see No. 2, but I didn’t have time.

What do you know about Diamond Run?

Nothing at the moment. Never played it.

What’s the most challenging course to play in your section?

I’d say my home course, the Pittsburgh Field Club.

Where’s your favorite hole?

Has to be No. 3 at the Pittsburgh Field Club. I like the long par 5.

What’s your favorite club in your bag?

Definitely my driver, a Ping G400.

Do you have any holes-in-one?

No, I’ve been close.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

Lydia Ko, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson.

What three words best describe you?

Kind. Determined. Committed.

What’s your favorite golf movie?

“The Legend of Bagger Vance.”

What’s your most memorable moment from this past summer?

Definitely going down and playing at Pinehurst in the Red, White and Blue tournament.

What’s your favorite subject at school?

That would accelerated biology and accelerated geometry.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I love playing the piano.

What is your favorite song to play on the piano?

“Linus and Lucy” from the “Peanuts” movie.

— William Whalen

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Fox Chapel, Leechburg