'Boring golf' results in silver medal for Quaker Valley's Bould at PIAA 2A Championships

Noah Hiles

Beaver County Times

October 18, 2021

YORK — It took Quaker Valley High School's Jackson Bould three tries to qualify for the PIAA Class 2A Golf Championships. However, the long wait seems to have been more than worth it. 

After taking second place in the WPIAL Class 2A Championships two weeks ago, Bould added another silver medal to his trophy case on Monday afternoon, finishing in a tie for second place at this year's state finals. And he did so by keeping things simple. 

"It was just was just kind of boring golf," Bould said when asked about his performance. "I went from fairway, to the green, to two putts." 

In just his second time playing the challenging greens at Heritage Hills Golf Resort, Bould's "boring" style of play allowed him to hang around the top of the leaderboard until the near end, shooting 74 (3+) to finish along side Josh Suto (Palmerton) and Kai Carlson (Avonworth).

The junior started strong on the front nine where he shot even par, which was aided by a pair of birdies that came on the second and fourth holes. The course's challenging back nine proved to be a tougher test for Bould, who was just one shot out of the lead until a double bogey on the 15th hole took some of his momentum away. 

Rather than letting the blemish ruin his day, Bould regrouped and battled on, shooting par on the final three holes, including 16, which is viewed by many as the toughest on the course. 

"For 16, it was all on the tee shot," Bould said. "I was able to hit a really good tee shot there and it's a pretty easy hole from there. On 17, I was in the middle of the trees and I hit a sweeping cut under and over a tree, right to the front part of the green. It was probably my best shot of the day." 

In just one year, Bould went from missing the cut for the state finals, to being two strokes shy of a PIAA Championship. Head coach Greg Vecchi took time to reflect upon Bould's progress over the past few season's, saying the talent was always there — it was Bould's growth mentally that made the difference. 

"He's matured so much in one year's time," Vecchi said. "It's made a noticeable difference in his golf game, for sure. Today is proof." 

As Bould waited to receive his medal just past the 18th hole, his achievement finally started to sink in. The intense competitor within him took a back seat. When asked how it felt to bring home a silver medal to his school, like his golf game, Bould's response was simple, but effective. 

"I'm very proud," Bould said with a big smile. "It feels really good." 

BULGER BATTLES BACK TO FIND PODIUM

Bould was the lone boys golfer from the Beaver Valley to find his way to the medal stand. He wasn't, however, the only member of his team to do so. 

Junior Eva Bulger went home with a medal, finishing in a tie for 10th place, with fellow WPIAL competitors Ella Zambruno and Izzy Aigner of Greensburg Central Catholic. 

As a three-time WPIAL Champion, anything but gold is a tough pill to swallow for Bulger. However, the 10th place finish is an improvement from last year, where she placed 13th. 

Bulger was able to find a spot on the podium despite a rough start to her day. Through her first five holes, the Quakers' star had just one par, recording bogies on the first, fourth, and fifth hole, while also posting a double-bogey on hole No. 2. 

Well behind the pack, Bulger refused to quit. Four straight pars to end the front nine got the junior back into a rhythm. Although her struggles returned at certain holes after the turn, Bulger was able to avoid a breakdown, finishing the afternoon with a score of 83 (+11).

"When you falter early and stay strong and keep trying, I think that says a ton about you," Vecchi said of Bulger. "I was glad to see her steady the ship and finish strong." 

The good news for Bulger is, Thursday wasn't the end. Next fall, she will get one last shot at PIAA Gold, as a senior. 

WELCOME TO THE BIG STAGE 

There were plenty of new faces at this year's Class 2A Championships, including many from the Beaver Valley. In addition to Bould, seven other local high school golfers made their debut in PIAA individual competition. 

For the boys tournament, seniors Adam Tanabe (Quaker Valley), Logan Greer (Riverside) and Will Duggan (Sewickley Academy) ended their high school careers on the big stage, shooting 82, 88, and 89, respectively.

Meanwhile, freshman Ethan Dai (Quaker Valley) and Severin Harmon (Sewickley Academy) gained valuable experience in their first year of varsity competition, ending with solid scores of 84 and 87. 

PIAA golf: Quaker Valley junior Jackson Bould ties for second at Heritage Hills in York

KEITH BARNES

Tri-State Sports & News Service

October 18, 2021

Junior Jackson Bould of Quaker Valley stepped off the course at Heritage Hills Golf Resort in York, Pa., with the clubhouse lead after he shot a 3-over 74 in the PIAA Class 2A individual finals.

Then the waiting began.

“I was in there for a good 40 minutes, but I was really relieved that I was in contention and would definitely be a medalist,” Bould said. “I went to the range about 10 minutes after I got in just in case it did come down to a playoff, I wanted to be loose and ready to go.”

His scoreboard watching became more intense when Union City junior Josh James, who had a healthy three-shot lead on the back nine, double-bogeyed No. 16, the 357-yard par-4, to drag him back to the pack. But James, the fifth-place finisher out of District 10, parred the final two holes to finish with a 1-over 72 to win the state championship. 

Bould and Avonworth sophomore Kai Carlson were tied with Palmerton’s Josh Soto for second, two shots back.

“I played really well and I only really had one bad hole, which ended up costing me a tie in the end, if you will,” Bould said. “I was just solid all-around and I’d say I’m content with how I played, and though I could have played better in spots, overall I was pleased.”

That one hole was No. 15, the 201-yard par-3.

“I got a bad break in the fescue on the side of a bunker,” Bould said. “I didn’t get out of it on my first shot and I had to take an unplayable and I ended up making a double. It was a good double, actually.”

He finished the back nine at 3 over after playing even par on the front.

Only one other WPIAL competitor, Derry junior Hunter Jurica, finished in the top 10. Jurica shot a 5-over 76 — thanks in large part to double bogeys on No. 7, the 513-yard par-5, and No. 16.

Bould wasn’t the only WPIAL golfer who had to sit in the clubhouse then settle for silver.

Greensburg Central Catholic senior Meghan Zambruno was locked in a tie at 2 over with 2019 champion Lydia Swan of North East when the pair finished. But both were relegated to second when Paige Richter of Camp Hill parred the final two holes to finish with a 1-over 73 to win by one stroke.

“We sat there and we watched Paige finish,” Zambruno said. “We knew that No. 18 could be a tough hole or a birdie hole, so we really didn’t know how she was going to finish or how it would all turn out.”

Par for the women’s course in 72, while the men’s in 71.

“I just went out there and played my best,” Zambruno, a Saint Francis recruit, said. “I knew the conditions would be hard and all I could do was play my best.”

This was Zambruno’s fourth trip to Heritage Hills for the individual finals and, as it turned out, it was also her best finish. Tough she never took home the state championship, but she never finished outside the top 5 in her career.

“Winning was definitely the goal,” Zambruno said. “But I’m proud of how I finished compared to the last couple years.”

Quaker Valley junior Eva Bulger, a three-time WPIAL champion, finished in a three-way tie for 10th with Greensburg Central Catholic’s Izzy Aigner and Ella Zambruno at 11 over.

Noah Hiles

Beaver County Times

October 14, 2021          

BELLE VERNON — No high school golf team from the Beaver Valley will be heading to the PIAA Championships. 

The impressive run of eight-straight WPIAL Class 2A Championships by the Sewickley Academy boys golf team came to an end on Thursday, as North Catholic shot 405 to take home the 2021 title at Cedarbrook Golf Course. 

Quaker Valley — who had three golfers qualify for the individual PIAA Championships that will take place Monday — finished as the runner-up in Class 2A for the second straight year, shooting 409 on the day. 

"Our score today was fantastic," Quaker Valley golf head coach Greg Vicchi said. "If you would've told me a few days ago that we'd shoot 409 at a tough course like Cedarbrook, I would've been very pleased. That score has easily won it in the past." 

A dynasty continues to thrive, however, in Girls Class 2A as Greensburg Central Catholic took home its seventh-straight WPIAL Championship, shooting 332. Central Valley shot 381 to finish in second place. The Warriors have now placed in the top three at the WPIAL Team Championships six years in a row. 

"The girls work hard all year to get to the WPIAL Finals," Central Valley head coach Craig Morris said. "To come home with either second or third that many times is a great accomplishment."

With a bulk of its roster returning, Morris believes that 2022 could be the year his team finally takes home the gold. 

Fox Chapel took home first place in WPIAL Class 3A for both boys and girls. The PIAA Golf Team Championships will take place at Heritage Hills Golf Resort on Monday, October 25. 

Golden girl again: Quaker Valley's Bulger wins third-straight WPIAL 2A Golf Championship

Noah Hiles

Beaver County Times

October 7, 2021

GREENSBURG — Entering the 2021 WPIAL Class 2A Girls Golf Championships, there was little question as to who the favorite to win the event was. All eyes were on Quaker Valley junior Eva Bulger, the two-time defending champion — and she didn't disappoint. 

From start to finish, Bulger's dominance of the WPIAL continued at Hannastown Golf Club on Thursday, shooting 72 for even par, to secure her third-straight District 7 crown. 

"For every tournament, I follow the same procedure," Bulger said. "I take things one step at a time, one shot at a time. I can't control the results, I can only control the process. I play my game and it works." 

While Bulger was consistent throughout the entire afternoon - shooting even par on both the front and back nine - her best moment came on the 18th hole. Sitting at two over par as she stepped up to the final tee box, her two stroke lead over Greensburg Central Catholic's Meghan Zambruno was a bit too close for comfort. 

Bulger fixed this by ending her final hole of the day with an eagle. 

"I didn't know how the standings were at the time. I just was just focused on finishing strong," Bulger said. "I picked out my target and hit my shot. It started with a good drive, then I had a good second shot with my hybrid. The put was about 15 feet and I sunk it." 

There aren't many better ways to end a round than with an eagle — Bulger would agree. 

"It was pretty cool," the three-time WPIAL champion said with a laugh. 

Her third-straight WPIAL title was her best performance yet in championship competition. As a freshman, Bulger shot 82 (+10) to secure the win at Diamond Run Golf Club. She shot 77 (+4) at Allegheny Country Club last fall to win her second championship. 

Quaker Valley golf head coach Greg Vecchi says Bulger's  progress never ceases to impress him. 

"I didn't think she was going to make any progress from her freshman year because she was so good to begin with," Vecchi said. "I thought she was so sound as a freshman, but then last year, she turned it on and started putting so much more time in. That's when I realized that she was never going to stop improving." 

Bulger advances to the PIAA 2A Championships once again, where she aims to capture her first state championship on Monday, October 18 at Heritage Hills Golf Resort in York. 

Quaker Valley's Eva Bulger three-peats as WPIAL Class 2A girls golf champion

STEVE ROTSTEIN

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

srotstein@post-gazette.com

October 7, 2021

Standing just 5 feet 3, Quaker Valley’s Eva Bulger isn’t exactly an imposing athletic specimen.

Make no mistake about it, though — Bulger towered over the competition at the WPIAL girls golf individual championships on Thursday afternoon at Hannastown Golf Club in Greensburg, Westmoreland County.

Bulger, the niece of former NFL quarterback Marc Bulger and former West Virginia basketball stars Meg and Katie Bulger, wasn’t blessed with the same physical attributes as some of her decorated family members. But for what she lacks in height and jump-shooting ability, she more than makes up for it with her smooth left-handed swing and laser-like focus on the golf course.

Nursing a two-stroke lead coming into the final hole, Bulger sank an eagle putt from about 7 feet on the par-5 18th hole to clinch her third consecutive WPIAL Class 2A title. She finished with an even-par 72, winning by four strokes.

“I didn’t expect to even get that [approach] shot to the green or close like that,” Bulger said about the final hole. “Making that eagle, it was pretty cool. … It was a good round, so I was happy about that.”

Only a junior, Bulger is now one of only three WPIAL girls golfers to win three consecutive titles, and next year she will have a chance to become only the second four-time WPIAL champion golfer.

“This is probably my best playing [in a WPIAL championship],” Bulger said. “It’s only one round of golf, so anything can happen. But today was my day.”

Bulger held off Greensburg Central Cathlic senior Meghan Zambruno to capture the title. Zambruno finished at a 4-over 76. No other golfers finished within 10 strokes of Bulger.

After sinking three birdie putts on the day along with the eagle on No. 18, Bulger said she didn’t really care about winning or losing. Instead, she was just hoping to qualify for states to get another crack at winning her first PIAA title — adding a third WPIAL championship to her collection was just an added bonus.

“[Winning] wasn’t my main focus,” Bulger said. “If I won, I won, but if I didn’t, I wasn’t going to be upset about it, because it’s just one day of golf.”

Quaker Valley, South Fayette golfers claim WPIAL championships

By: Bill Beckner Jr. 
Thursday, October 7, 2021 | 5:09 PM

When she was 9 years old, Marissa Malosh first picked up a golf club during a vacation in Hilton Head, S.C.

A family friend and avid golfer, Rob Watterson, watched her hit balls on the beach and thought it was a good idea she keep the club in her hands because she had such a natural swing.

Good advice.

“I would hit balls into the ocean,” said Malosh, a junior at South Fayette. “I liked it. I really started to get into the game.”

The rest is history. School history.

Who knew one day she not only would be part of a new girls team at South Fayette but also its first WPIAL champion?

Malosh shot an even-par 72 Thursday for a two-shot victory over Fox Chapel senior Nina Busch and junior Katie Rose Rankin of North Allegheny at the Class 3A championship at Hannastown Golf Club in Greensburg.

“We started a team my freshman year, and we have tried to bring the program along,” said Malosh, who attended the Mike Bender Golf Academy in Lake Mary, Fla. “I hope this helps keep the program going.”

The Class 2A title went to Quaker Valley junior Eva Bulger, who became just the third girls player in WPIAL history to win three straight titles. She also carded a 72, including an eagle on No. 18, to win by four over senior Meghan Zambruno of Greensburg Central Catholic.

The same girls also finished 1-2 last year.

“It was one round of golf, so anything can happen,” said Bulger, who joins Jodi Figley of Hopewell (1983-86) and Caroline Wrigley of North Allegheny (2016-18) as three-time champions. “I just tried to play my game. I’m happy with how I played.”

Malosh, who finished 11th and 12th in two previous trips to the finals, hit a 52-degree wedge to 15 feet on the par-3 second and made the putt to get to 1-under and made the turn at even 35. She was 2-over when she made back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17, knocking an 80-yard wedge to five feet on 16. She hit the par-5 17th in two.

“My long irons were consistent,” she said. “And I putted pretty well. I thought 2-over would be a good score. After I birdied 16 and 17, I knew I might have a shot. I still didn’t want to do anything stupid like duck-hook (on 18).

“I like to play aggressive. Sometimes that helps me, and sometimes it hurts me.”

Busch, a runner-up for the second time, gave chase but ran out of holes. She birdied 17 and 18 to shoot 74. Rankin also made a move with four birdies, three on the back nine.

“The tees were up, so I knew I had a chance,” Busch said. “I had so many birdies lip out. I figured there were probably 10 of us who had a chance to win.”

Bulger, the niece of former NFL quarterback Marc Bulger and former Oakland Catholic and West Virginia basketball stars Kate and Meg Bulger, said she liked the course, and it showed.

The lefty made the turn in 35 with a three-shot lead and didn’t make any costly mistakes on the inward nine. She birdied the par-3 13th to move to 1-over and bogeyed No. 14, a par 5.

But she saved her best for last. She striped her hybrid second shot on the par-5 18th 170 yards and onto the green, which doubles as a practice putting green. She rolled in the 15-footer for eagle, and she was four clear of Zambruno, with whom she played Thursday.

“I drop-kicked my driver and hit behind it, but I hit a good second shot,” Bulger said. “(Zambruno) played well. She’s a really good putter.”

Zambruno, a St. Francis (Pa.) commit, was 3-over after nine because of a triple bogey on No. 3 but rallied with three birdies on the back side, including on 18, to shoot 76.

Zambruno has finished sixth, third, second and second in the WPIAL final.

“I had a bad hole, and I wasn’t able to close the gap,” she said. “(Bulger) made a lot of good putts. The greens were tough and fast. I did better on the par 3s than the par 5s. My goal was to get to states.”

She accomplished her goal and will be joined in the state finals by three teammates for the second year in a row.

Next week, GCC will go for a seventh straight WPIAL team title.

The top seven 3A finishers and top nine from 2A advance to the PIAA championships Oct. 18-19 at Heritage Hills Resort in York.

Other 3A qualifiers are senior Caroline McConnell of South Fayette (75), senior Adena Rugola of Uniontown (75), senior and defending WPIAL champion Lindsey Powanda of Mt. Lebanon (76) and senior Allison Poon of Peters Township (76).

Powanda and McConnell will play in the state finals for a third time.

Junior Claire Konieczny of Geibel (82), sophomore Izzy Aigner of GCC (85), junior Kennady Norton of Central Valley (85), junior Mya Mrkonja of Central Valley (88), junior Ciara Anderson of Avonworth (88), and seniors Olivia Kana (90) and Ella Zambruno (93) of GCC qualified from 2A.

By: Ray Fisher 
Sunday, October 3, 2021 | 11:01 AM

Section 9 was well represented at the WPIAL Class AA boys individual golf final Sept. 30 at Allegheny County Club.

Sewickley Academy’s Joey Mucci and Quaker Valley’s Ethan Dai easily eclipsed the qualifying mark of 85 at the earlier section qualifier also held at Allegheny Country Club, SA’s home course.

Mucci, a junior and third-year starter, shot a three-over par 73 at the qualifying event to earn medalist honor. He finished third in the WPIAL in 2020 and placed 10th at the PIAA finals.

“Joey has worked so hard on all aspects of his game. His ball striking and chipping are superb,” Sewickley coach Win Palmer said. “Joey has stepped into that No. 1 position (on the team) that has been occupied by so many successful alumni who have gone on to play college golf and even give it a shot at professional golf.”

Dai, a freshman, carded a 5-over-par 75, two strokes behind Mucci.

“Ethan had a steady, composed day,” QV coach Greg Vecchi said. “It’s a tough event on a challenging course, and he handled it like a senior who’s been there before. Ethan doesn’t get flustered. He just focuses on the ball in front of him the best he can, no matter what happened prior.

“My hope for Ethan is that he enjoys being on this team and that he knows he’s a giant part of Quaker Valley golf. He already has made a big mark in the program in just a little over a month’s time. The older golfers respect him and his game.”

It was Dai’s first time competing at a section qualifier at the high school level.

“I think I played pretty well,” he said.

Eight golfers from Section 9 advanced to the WPIAL individual final.

Along with Mucci, Sewickley’s Nick Straka, Severin Harmon and Will Duggan all qualified.

“I feel like I played decently at the qualifier,” Straka said. “I started out pretty well but didn’t finish as well as I would’ve liked. It was a very fun experience, and I enjoyed playing with the golfers in my group.”

Straka, a junior, shot an 81 at the qualifier. Harmon, a freshman, zeroed in on an 82 score, and Duggan, a senior multisport athlete, ended up two strokes behind at 84.

“Nick has developed a quality swing that he trusts in critical situations. His putting is much improved,” Palmer said. “Will is our No. 2 man. He is a gutsy senior who enjoys playing in the big moment as he has demonstrated throughout his career in helping our team be so successful.

“Severin is a freshman who has accepted the challenges of playing varsity golf. His tempo on his swing has improved so much.”

It was the third consecutive WPIAL finals appearance for Mucci and Duggan. Both talked about their day at the section qualifier that led up to the championship event.

“I was pleased with my performance,” Mucci said. “I was very happy with my ball striking and wedges. However, I was disappointed and frustrated with my putting performance, so I went bought a new putter to get more confidence.”

Duggan thought it was a good learning experience.

“I did not play my best golf during the section qualifier,” he said. “I hit one out on hole 1 and had to take a seven on that hole and another hole. I think it showed my ability to grind through a tough circumstance because I had to continue to play good golf knowing that I didn’t have many shots to spare. I think this experience will help me in the future when I’m in a tough spot.”

Dai, meanwhile, led the way for two other Quaker Valley golfers at the qualifier, as senior Adam Tanabe and junior Jackson Bould shot 80 and 81, respectively.

“Adam had a fairly smooth day,” Vecchi said. “He just carried over his great golfing from the regular season to this pressured event. Adam treats every match as if it’s the most important one ever. He tries so hard for himself and the team. He’s been scoring really well.”

Tanabe made his second WPIAL finals appearance this year.

“I played well at the qualifier, but as it goes in every round of golf, it was not perfect,” he said. “As for last year’s WPIAL finals, too many mistakes led to a disappointing round, and I lost a playoff for a reserve spot in the PIAA finals. These failures taught me a lot and served as a motivator for this year.”

Bould advanced to the WPIAL championships for a third consecutive time.

“I got to watch Jackson all day (at the qualifier) since I marked his group,” Vecchi said. “He had a couple of rough patches early in his round, but seemed to forget about them very quickly.

“Jackson adjusts nicely. He has such a sweet swing. If he falters, he makes the necessary adjustments to stay on track.”

Bould is known to be an aggressive hitter, but he’s also smart in picking and choosing when to be aggressive.

“I played pretty well, honestly, even though my (qualifying) score might not show the same,” he said. “I couldn’t limit the damage on my bad holes, which ended up costing me a ton of strokes. I was 9-over on my worst four holes, 2-over on the other 14. I wasn’t deterred by any means.

“Not having higher than a bogey on any given hole has been my Achilles heel.”

The eighth qualifier from the section was Beaver County Christian’s Micah Guervara, a senior who logged an 83. 

A total of 72 boys advanced to the WPIAL AA individual tournament. Nine section qualifiers were held, each with its own target score. 

“It was a windy, rainy day (for the Section 9 linksters), and I was impressed by the ability of our golfers to remain focused despite the difficult conditions on a challenging golf course,” said Palmer, who also is the athletic director and boys basketball coach at Sewickley Academy. 

“Putting is especially important on small, quick greens, and our guys putted the ball well.”

QV’s Bulger earns sectional medalist honor

Quaker Valley junior standout Eva Bulger qualified for the WPIAL Class AA girls individual finals off her performance at the Section 1 qualifier at Del Mar Golf Club.

Bulger captured her second straight sectional medalist honor, claiming the Section 1-AA title by six strokes with a 5-over 76. She was one of 12 golfers who beat the cut-off score of 96.

The WPIAL girls golf finals will take place Oct. 7 at Hannastown Golf Club in Greensburg. Bulger will play in a foursome that also includes Greensburg Central Catholic’s Meghan Zambruno, Central Valley’s Mya Mrkonja and Geibel Catholic’s Claire Konieczny. 

The left-handed hitting Bulger has designs on a three-peat after winning two consecutive WPIAL titles.

In 2019, Bulger was the WPIAL 2A champion thanks to her 10-over par 82 at Diamond Run. She improved her winning score by five strokes last year.

Silver is Bould: Quaker Valley's Jackson Bould finishes second at WPIAL Golf Championships

Noah Hiles

Beaver County Times

September 30, 2021

SEWICKLEY — You don't have to look very hard to find a beautiful site on the golf course at Allegheny Country Club. Yet, prior to Thursday's WPIAL Class 2A Golf Championships, Quaker Valley's Jackson Bould only had ugly memories from his time on the scenic greens.

As both a freshman and a sophomore, Bould qualified for the WPIAL Championship but missed the cut for the PIAA Championship match. The junior's struggles at the course continued this season, where he shot an 80 — a disappointment for his own high standards — at the Section 9 qualifiers. 

However, all of the stress and tough luck were pushed to the side on Thursday, as Bould finally figured things out, shooting 76 (+6) to take second overall out of 74 golfers. 

"This year was redemption for me," he said. "I definitely could've been better, but I'm happy overall with how I played. I could've easily been around 70 or 71, but a few puts didn't go my way. Overall, it's still not a bad day."

Bould's round of 80 gave him an earlier tee-time than a majority of the top finishers. He had no issue setting the pace for the rest of the pack, though.

For a majority of his round, Bould led all golfers, finishing the front nine one stroke under par. Things got a bit difficult for him on the back nine, where he bogeyed the 11th and 12th hole, and then double-bogeyed on the 16th. 

Yet, through the toughest of times, Bould was able to dig deep and remain calm, citing his past struggles from the course as motivation for a strong finish. 

"I kinda just blocked it out of my mind," Bould said. "I didn't let it bother me too much because I knew I had a good round going. I knew I had some cushion behind me. I was ready to just go up to the tee box, move forward, and hit a good drive."

Shortly after Bould's round came to an end, he stood and watched just off the 18th green where Brian McDonnell sunk a putt for par to finish one stroke ahead of him, securing what would end up being the WPIAL Championship. 

While disappointed that the match didn't go to a playoff for the gold, Bould was able to keep things in perspective, saying his nerves had turned into excitement for himself and his teammates to compete one more time, at the PIAA Championships on October 18 and 19. 

A LONG TIME COMING 

Two of Bould's teammates will be joining him at Heritage Hills Golf Club in a few weeks. The first was freshman Ethan Dai, who shot a 79 to finish ninth. Dai was one of just two freshman to qualify for the PIAA Championships from the WPIAL. He says despite his lack of experience, he was mentally ready for the big stage. 

"It was very exciting, although there was a little bit of pressure, but a little stress never hurts," Dai said. "Honestly, I was ready for this. I had older teammates who helped me along the way and I worked hard on my own as well. I'm happy with how everything went." 

The third and final Quaker to qualify was senior Adam Tanabe, whose day ended in perhaps the most dramatic way possible. As the final group of golfers ended their rounds, there was a four-way tie for the 17th place, meaning a playoff was needed to decide whom would grab the final two qualifying spots. 

Tanabe was no stranger to this concept. Last fall as a junior he had missed the cut for states in a similar situation. In 2021, he got his redemption. 

The field was cut from four to three after Beaver County Christian's Micha Guevara left the event early to participate in his senior night for the Eagles soccer team. It then came down to just Tanabe and Derry Area's Antonio Houser after Neshannock's Matt Morelli beat both on the playoff's first hole. 

As Tanabe and his competitor walked to the second tee box to battle for the final spot, the senior says his strategy was to focus on anything but the task ahead. 

"We were just talking about how we did today," Tanabe said. "I was asking him about how good his team was and his friends. I wanted to keep my mind off the golfing and treat the situation like it was a casual game." 

Tanabe's strategy turned out to be the right move. A strong drive was followed with a laser shot from 115 yards out, landing within 10 yards of the pin. Two short putts later, an emotional Tanabe was greeted by his teammates on the second green. 

After three years of missing the cut, he was finally heading to the state finals. 

"I'm just happy to move on to states," Tanabe said with tears in his eyes. "I've been playing varsity golf for four years and it's always been my goal to make it there. Today that happened. I wanted to win, but the main goal was to qualify."

As he collected his emotions, Tanabe lifted his head with a smile and said, "We took the hard route, but we got there." 

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

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SEP 1, 2021

6:32 AM

EVA BULGER

Quaker Valley

The past week: Bulger plays for the Quaker Valley boys golf team during the regular season because Quaker Valley doesn’t have a girls team. She helped the team to two wins recently to keep its perfect record intact. Playing from the forward tees, she shot 38 at Sewickley Heights Country Club against Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and 34 at Rolling Acres against Rochester.

Check this out: Bulger, a junior, won WPIAL Class 2A girls individual championships as a freshman and sophomore. She helped the Quaker Valley boys team to a second-place finish at last year’s 2A team championships. Bulger’s uncle Marc is a former NFL quarterback, and her grandfather Jim a former backup quarterback at Notre Dame. Bulger has a sister and four brothers, one of whom, Connery, is the starting quarterback at Quaker Valley this season.

Talking to your dad, he said you’ve gotten a little bigger in the last year. Will that help in golf? I grew a few inches. I’d say I’m about 5-3 now. I think I am hitting the ball farther, like 15-20 yards.

Did you need that distance? It definitely helps because I was on the shorter end.

Well, then is it true that you drive for show and putt for dough? (Laugh) Ahhh, I’m still not that long. I’m just a little longer.

You ever wish Quaker Valley had a girls team? It doesn’t really matter to me because I think it’s kind of nice playing on the boys team. I have brothers, so it’s something I’m used to, playing against the boys. I play a lot, too, with friends who are girls.

Sewickley Academy has won eight consecutive WPIAL titles. You guys finished second last year. Can you challenge them this year? Hopefully, because I think we have a pretty good team. I think it’s the best team since I’ve been here.

Do you watch men’s golf? I watch a little. I watch some tour events on TV. I watched the U.S. Amateur.

Do you like Bryson DeChambeau’s game? I mean, I respect him, but I don’t know if that’s what I’m trying to do, hit a long drive all the time.

How much do you practice in the summer? I try to get out on the golf course or touch a club every day, whether I’m practicing or playing. When I take a few days off, my swing just feels weird. Then I have to really, really work at it.

Your aunts, Meg and Katie, were star basketball players who played in college. You never played basketball? No, I was always really short.

TV show you’d recommend to binge watch? I’m currently binge-watching “Grey’s Anatomy.”

— By Mike White

KEITH BARNES

Tri-State Sports & News Service /

SEP 3, 2021

Quaker Valley pulled off one of the more improbable victories last year when it knocked off then-seven-time WPIAL Class 2A boys team champion Sewickley Academy by one stroke to win the Section 9 title.

But despite capturing their first section crown since 1988, when it came time to finish the job and end the Panthers’ record title run in the finals at Cedarbrook, the Quakers ended up as the runners-up, 16 shots behind as Sewickley Academy won its eighth in a row.

Quaker Valley, though, has a solid group coming back this year and could once again be thess squad with the best potential for ending its rival’s run.

“The way we have started this year, I’m just really happy with our start and we do look strong off the bat,” Quaker Valley coach Greg Vecchi said. “I have no idea what Sewickley is doing or how they reloaded, but I just know that we have a good, strong team and everybody’s into it.”

Like Sewickley Academy, Quaker Valley returns a state qualifier from last year in senior Kyle Rice and also has another senior who finished in the top 15 at the WPIAL individual finals in senior Adam Tanabe.

“It’s always great when you have those seniors that are so solid and care so much,” Vecchi said. “Kyle had a great summer, on a couple events, and would text me how he was playing. With Adam, he’s a little longer off the tee and he doesn’t falter much.”

In addition, the Quakers bring back junior Jackson Bould, who qualified for the WPIAL finals last year. Bould also shot a team-best 80 at the WPIAL team finals last year.

“He’s another summer guy, I saw him at Sewickley Heights in the summer. I was on the ninth green, he was on the first tee and the lighting alarm went off,” Vecchi said. “We were walking off and I started talking to him and I said, ‘You only got one shot in?’ and he said it was his second 18 that day and it was like noon.”

Having three of the WPIAL’s top male golfers back from last year would be a boon to any squad, but adding a two-time reigning individual champion into the mix never hurts. Because the Quakers don’t have enough players for a girls team, junior Eva Bulger has played with the boys her entire career.

“Eva, over the last couple of years is just steady, but at the start of this year, she’s been even more consistent and definitely longer off the tee,” Vecchi said. “She has put in the time in the offseason and is progressing in the right direction.”

Still, Quaker Valley will have to wait until Sept. 14 to get its real test in when it plays Sewickley Academy.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Vecchi said. “Our section isn’t the best and we don’t have many non-section events, so we’re looking forward to that because the pressure is going to be pretty darned great.”