Derry golfer Hunter Jurica commits to Saint Francis

By:
Sunday, November 13, 2022 | 6:17 PM


Hunter Jurica can hit long drives.

He considers Loretto a relatively short drive from Derry.

The opportunity to continue his golf career at a college not far from home was too good to pass up, so the senior standout and WPIAL champion made a verbal commitment to Saint Francis (Pa.) of the Northeast Conference.

“I took my official visit this weekend and loved it,” Jurica said. “Coach (Derek) Tyson gave me an offer I couldn’t turn away. And it’s close to home, too.”

Jurica became the first WPIAL golf champion at Derry when he won at storied Oakmont Country Club on October. He also was the Westmoreland County Coaches Association champion.

His senior-year scoring average for nine holes: 34.75.

Derry won four straight section titles with Jurica on the team.

He has been running down a dream of playing at the Division I level.

“It’s hard to believe,” he said. “All I can say is I’m blessed. But hard work pays off, and I worked hard almost every day. There is still a lot of work ahead.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags:

More Golf

Freshman WPIAL champ, improving veteran players form backbone of Shady Side Academy girls golf team
Senior leaders set Shady Side Academy boys golf on right course for big season
Fox Chapel’s Carson Kittsley shakes off early hiccup at Oakmont to make states
Plum’s Wes Lorish earns trip to state golf championships
McGuffey’s Logan Crowe holds off tight field to capture WPIAL Class 2A golf championship