First of three WPGA Amateur Qualifiers on deck

May 14, 2024
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications

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VERONA — The first of three WPGA Amateur Championship preliminary qualifying events is set for Wednesday at Green Oaks Country Club, as golfers from around the region begin their quest to win the William C. Fownes, Jr. Trophy.

The WPGA Amateur Qualifiers are single day, 18-hole stroke play competitions. Three qualifying events will take place, with competitions to follow on May 22 (The Country Club of Meadville) and June 5 (The Latrobe Elks Golf Club).

The field will be competing for the top 18 spots in order to qualify for the WPGA Amateur Championship. Two alternate spots will be claimed, as well.

WPGA begins celebration of 125th Anniversary

May 12, 2024
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications

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Founded on May 12th, 1899, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association (WPGA) was formed by five founding clubs, Allegheny Country Club, Edgewood Country Club, Edgeworth Club, Pittsburgh Field Club, and the Pittsburgh Golf Club.

2024 marks the 125th Anniversary of the Association with celebrations scheduled to take place throughout the year, culminating at our Awards and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

We encourage you to join us in celebrating this special anniversary this season.

We begin our celebration with a look at the WPGA’s beginning, its five founding clubs and the historical home of the Association’s offices and museum.

Saint Francis golfer printing unique story

May 11, 2024
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications

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They say you can’t be a lover and a fighter. But Caleb DeBass is living proof that you can, in fact, be both.

DeBass grew up in the octagon, competing in mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in an attempt to satisfy a hunger to fight. But out of the ring, DeBass found some other activities that peaked his interests and were, well, far less violent.

One of those was golf, an outlet to continue to athletically compete in a sport based on individualism and, eventually, in a college setting.

“I’ve always done MMA my whole life, that was my main sport,” says DeBass, a native of Forest, Virginia who has a powerful 6-foot-3 frame that you might expect from an MMA fighter.

Pitcairn a ‘calming presence’ for Shipley's dream Masters

May 9, 2024
By Mike Dudurich

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In retrospect, it was only fitting that while Neal Shipley and Carter Pitcairn were having the best days of their golfing lives, they were doing it together.

Best buddies in the South Hills since their ages reached double figures, the two learned the game at St. Clair Country Club and played on some very good high school teams at Central Catholic together.

Shipley’s spectacular performance at 2023 U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills, Co., where he finished second, opened the door to the big moment for both.

Pitcairn got a call from Shipley midway through the Am, asking him to take on the role of Shipley’s emergency caddie the rest of the way. Pitcairn accepted and the duo finished second, earning Shipley the invite to Augusta National.

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