Mike Bires, Special to the Times

USA TODAY NETWORK

BUTLER – When Nixen Erdely made the one hour and 20 minute trip from his home in Fayette County to Butler Country Club on Monday morning, he slept most of the way. 

With his father driving, Erdely didn’t spend any time thinking about the opportunity that awaited him for the second and final round of the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Individual Golf Championships. 

Upon arriving at Butler C.C., Erdely, a senior at Frazier High School, said he rubbed his eyes for a few minutes as he woke up and then went to the driving range to hit a few practice balls.  

Moments later, he stepped onto the first tee, starting the day in fourth place, three strokes behind the leader, Ethan Dai, a junior from Quaker Valley. 

By: Ray Fisher 
Sunday, August 27, 2023 | 11:01 AM

One shot made all the difference for the Quaker Valley boys golf team last season, as the Quakers placed third in the WPIAL Class 2A tournament by the narrowest of margins. 

Sewickley and Belle Vernon finished regulation play at the WPIAL event tied for the top spot in Class 2A with a team scores of 411. Quaker Valley followed closely in with a 412.

“We were favored to win and golfed well,” QV coach Greg Vecchi said. “Some unfortunate things happened, and we lost. It was awful.”

The Quakers’ top golfers a year ago were Ethan Dai, Nolan Wagoner, Jonah Schollaert, Jackson Bould, Adam Renner and Eva Bulger, a four-time WPIAL girls individual titlist who competed for the boys team.

Dai and Wagoner are returning starters as juniors this season.

Dai, 16, began playing tournament golf at age 6. He is a two-time PIAA qualifier for the Quakers.

“Our expectations this season are for everyone to do their best and see how far our young and developing team can go,” Dai said. “My goal is to hopefully qualify for PIAAs for my third time and place better than last year.”

Dai took first place in his age division Aug. 14 at the Wildwood Invitational at Wildwood Country Club.

“I played in a handful of other tournaments,” he said. “Some of my better tournaments included AJGAs, the U.S. Open qualifier at The Club at Nevillewood and the U.S. Junior Amateur at Avon Oaks.

“I focused a lot on improving my putting over the summer.”

The 16-year-old Wagoner hopes that QV can compete for another section championship despite the lack of senior leadership on this year’s team. That’s where he and Dai fit in.

“Ethan and I are expected to lead by example and show (their teammates) the ropes around the new courses and help them with whatever they need,” Wagoner said. “I’d like to think that Nolan and I have both taken a leadership role for our team.”

Wagoner is hoping the Quakers can challenge for another section title in 2023 and is looking to improve on his own performance from last year.

“We expect to compete within our section and see how far our young and developing team can go,” Wagoner said. “Last year, I fell short of making it to states, so I will be striving for that goal this year.

“During the summer, I knew I had a lot of improvement that needed to be done and made some swing and grip changes, which are now starting to come together.”

Will Newlin, Ryan Dusch and Makenna Kamnikar are sophomore team members.

“I really believe we’ll be a competitive team,” Vecchi said. “We have some new varsity golfers who really like the game and are serious about their game.

“We are still working out our varsity roster. We’ve had no real surprises. We still have some golfers battling out for the remaining spots.”

Kamnikar is a new addition who played on QV’s junior varsity team last year.

“I really think Makenna will help our varsity be a stronger team,” Vecchi said, “especially at Sewickley Heights Golf Course since she’s a member there. She’s a confident and relaxed golfer, two great attributes.

“Makenna’s, Will’s and Ryan’s games seem stronger (this year) with less mistakes.”

Schollaert, one of four freshmen to qualify for the individual finals in 2A, has transferred to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

Bould, Renner and Bulger graduated in the spring.

“Jackson had very strong career,” Vecchi said. “He made the WPIAL finals all four years and finished second as a junior. He made the state finals his last two years with his best finish (second) as a junior. He cared about improving his game and cared about the team. He always gave 100%.

“Adam was a solid high school golfer. He golfed for varsity for his junior and senior year and averaged a 43 for the nine-hole matches both years. He’s a great kid.”

Bulger tied for seventh at the PIAA Class 2A girls finals at Penn State.

“Eva had an incredible career at Quaker Valley and accomplished so much,” Vecchi said. 

Seventh place was Bulger’s best PIAA showing of her career. She ended up 10th as a junior.

“I was prepared and gave it my all at State College,” said Bulger, who has decided to delay attending college for a year. “I played pretty well both days.”

Other golfers looking to make an impact for the Quakers this season are newcomers Michael Ponzo, a senior, Henry Zubanc, a sophomore, and El Folabit, a junior.

“I’m looking forward to watching (all) these golfers compete and give this team their best effort so they can make us the best team possible,” Vecchi said.

Quaker Valley won the Section 9-2A championship with a 10-0 record in 2022.

Four QV golfers advanced to the WPIAL Class 2A individual championships last year, led by Wagoner with a round of 74. Schollaert, Bould, the WPIAL Class 2A runner-up in 2021, and Dai followed with scores of 77, 78 and 79.

By: Ray Fisher 
Sunday, October 1, 2023 | 11:01 AM

Quaker Valley and Sewickley Academy have well-established golf programs and traditions.

Another chapter in the long rivalry took place Sept. 20 when the QV golfers defeated the Panthers, 200-211, in a critical section match at Allegheny Country Club.

With the win, QV clinched a tie for first place with Eden Christian in Section 9-2A.

“I thought (the performance against SA) was collectively our best of the year,” QV coach Greg Vecchi said. “It happened when the pressure was on and we needed it the most. It was a good match and a big win. I’m pumped because that was the best we’ve golfed all year.”

Vecchi briefly discussed the QV-SA rivalry on the links.

“The Sewickley Academy golfers are class acts,” he said. “They’re a good team, have great sportsmanship and are always competitive to play against. The rivalry has been solid for years, and this year was no exception, with each team winning one head-to-head (match).”

The Quakers lineup in the section showdown consisted of juniors Ethan Dai (36) and Nolan Wagoner (39), sophomores Ryan Dusch (43) and Will Newlin (38) and senior Joe Veeck (43), who last spring earned honorable mention status for the Western Pennsylvania Boys Tennis Sportsmanship Award.

“We have played badly at times and good at times this season,” Vecchi said. “With continued practice and playing, our team could definitely make it to the WPIAL team finals. Hopefully, this win sparks everyone to give even more effort toward getting better.”

QV’s veteran coach has been impressed particularly with the efforts of Dai and Wagoner in 2023.

“The (PIAA) individual playoffs are attainable for Ethan and Nolan. Both are playing better than I’ve ever seen them play,” Vecchi said. “Both have strong heads for the game. If they have trouble at any point, they have the ability to focus on the next ball. That’s important for any level.

“We don’t name captains, but I go to Nolan and Ethan for their thoughts on different team things.”

Newlin logged his best score of the season with his performance against the Panthers, which caught the attention of his teammates.

“Everyone played extremely well,” Dai said. “I’d like to especially mention Will Newlin, who shot a 38 at Allegheny, and Joseph Veeck, who shot a 43 even though it was his first varsity match.

“Although our team has struggled during some rounds, everyone’s performed above expectations when they needed to the most.”

The Quakers, who finished third in the WPIAL in 2022, improved to 8-2 in section play and overall.

QV sophomore Makenna Kamnikar posted a 54 against Sewickley.

“Makenna’s a confident and relaxed golfer — two great attributes,” Vecchi said. “I really think she helps our varsity, especially at Sewickley Heights Golf Club since she’s a member there.”

Other reserves for the Quakers include senior Michael Ponzo and sophomore Henry Zupanc.

Sewickley’s lineup was led by juniors Severin Harmon, who shot a 37, and Karan Kad, with a 42, followed by juniors Nolan Donnelly (45) and Rob Fogle (42) and sophomore Niko Frazzini (45). Another sophomore, Billy Pietragallo, carded a 48.

Sewickley’s golf team has been coached this season by former assistant Seamus Coons. SA’s legendary coach Win Palmer died unexpectedly Aug. 31.

“This has been a challenging golf season in ways I or the players could never have anticipated,” Coons said. “I was blown away by the number of parents, alumni and community members of Sewickley Academy who have offered help and support.

“This speaks to the person Win Palmer was, the relationships he developed and the impact he had on so many people throughout the years. It also speaks to Sewickley Academy and our close-knit and supportive community.”

The SA squad consists of four juniors, three sophomores, including Luke Palguta, and freshman Emily Milanovich.

Harmon, Kad and Donnelly are co-captains.

“I am incredibly proud of the team and our performance this season,” Coons said. “Going into the year, we knew we were a young team without a ton of experience. Then, they had to go through the pain of losing a coach and mentor.

“Despite those hardships, the team came together and performed exceptionally well, growing as both golfers and people. It is disappointing not to make the team WPIALs. However, I am confident the players will continue to improve, and we will be much stronger next year.”

Dai zeroed in on first place with a 1-under par 70 at the Section 9-2A qualifier Sept. 18 Rolling Acres. Wagoner tied for second with a 74.

Dai and Wagoner both repeated as WPIAL qualifiers, as did Harmon and Kad by placing fifth and seventh for SA. Harmon also was a WPIAL finalist as a sophomore.

The first round of this year’s WPIAL championships took place Sept. 25 at Willowbrook. Round 2 was scheduled for Oct. 2 at Butlers as the finals are played on two days at two courses.

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

“Ethan’s round was fantastic,” Vecchi said. “His confidence is high, and his game is always impressive.”

Harmon ended his round in seventh place with a 3-over 75 as he recorded two birdies, five bogeys and 11 pars. Wagoner shot an 82, and Kad finished with an 84.

By: Don Rebel 
Sunday, October 1, 2023 | 8:26 PM

The district will be dishing out golf gold Monday with the final round of the 2023 WPIAL boys Class 3A and 2A individual golf championships.

The boys 2A final round will take place at the Butler Country Club with 37 golfers participating.

Quaker Valley junior Ethan Dai has the lead after shooting a 69 in the opening round last week at the Willowbrook Country Club in Apollo.

Brownsville senior Daniel Sethman and Elizabeth Forward freshman Aaron Didjunas are two strokes off the lead after shooting a 1-under par 71 in the first round.

The rest of the top seven includes Frazier senior Nixen Erdely (72), OLSH sophomore Jonah Schllaert (73), Belle Vernon sophomore Jordan Mocello (73) and Sewickley Academy junior Severin Harmon (75).

The top 18 scorers from the 36-hole WPIAL championships will qualify directly to the PIAA championships at Penn State on Oct. 18 provided their score in the WPIAL championship final round does not exceed 100.

By: Ray Fisher 
Sunday, October 29, 2023 | 11:01 AM

Quaker Valley junior Ethan Dai took his golf game to the next level in 2023.

In an unforgettable season, Dai finished as the WPIAL runner-up in Class 2A then went on to tie for fourth at the PIAA tournament at Penn State.

Coach Greg Vecchi said Dai has improved by leaps and bounds during his time in the QV boys golf program.

“Ethan had such an incredible season,” Vecchi said. “He just distanced himself from most other golfers and stood out even more than he did last year.

“We’ve had some really talented golfers on our team in the past who somehow take their game up one more level after they just had a great season. Ethan is now one of those golfers. His 2022 was so solid, but his 2023 easily surpassed ‘22. He went from 35th, or so, in the state to fourth. That’s an incredible jump.”

Dai, 16, 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 on the 6,431-yard, par-72 course with seven consecutive pars.

“Ethan’s round was fantastic,” Vecchi said afterwards. “His confidence is high, and his game is always impressive.”

Dai 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.

Round 1 of the WPIAL tournament took place Sept. 25 at Willowbrook’s blue course. Round 2 was held Oct. 2 at Butler Country Club (par 71, 6,562-yards).

The 5-foot-9, 135-pound Dai logged a 75 at Butler’s to end up second, two shots behind Fraziersenior 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. “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.”

Dai carded a 73-71-144 total at the two-day PIAA tournament. He tied for fourth with two seniors, Riverside’s Michael Maslanka and Eden Christian’s Luke Gronbeck.

Nick Werner, a junior at Wyoming Seminary, was the 2A champion with a 138 score as he and Dai were the top finishers among juniors in 2A.

“Ethan’s mechanics are top-notch, which led to his incredible consistency this season,” Vecchi said. “His confidence in his game is easily evident, too. There’s no fear with Ethan.

“Due to all of the time, effort and tournaments, he has improved in all facets. His driving distance and accuracy improvement have really stood out to me.”

Dai averages about 290 yards per drive. He said that part of his game is his best and sets up the other parts (iron play, chipping, putting, etc.).

“The strength of my game is my driving,” Dai said, “but I’d say everything is pretty well-rounded. I focused a lot on improving my putting over the summer.”

A three-time PIAA qualifier, Dai zeroed in on first place with a 1-under par 70 at the Section 9-2A qualifier Sept. 18 Rolling Acres.

“I only see Ethan improving even more over the next year,” Vecchi said. “He loves the game, so he’ll put in the time. I can’t say that Ethan will be first in the WPIAL and at states next year since golf rounds can be so unpredictable, but I would guess that he’ll be at least very near the top in both.”

Dai and junior Nolan Wagoner led the Quaker Valley boys golf team to a co-section championship with Eden Christian this season. Both golfers repeated as WPIAL qualifiers.

“The team this year did amazing,” Dai said. “Honestly, everyone performed above expectations, and I believe everyone can improve even more.”

The Quakers’ top golfers a year ago were Dai, Wagoner, Jonah Schollaert, Jackson Bould, Adam Renner and Eva Bulger, a four-time WPIAL girls individual champion.

“I was so happy for our team to finish tied at the top of our section,” Vecchi said. “After losing four terrific golfers (to graduation) after last year, I really didn’t know what to expect from the new and younger starters. They seemed to have worked hard in the offseason.

“We started out slowly but ended up having two of our best rounds late in the season, so that was a big positive.”

Will Newlin, Ryan Dusch and Makenna Kamnikar were sophomore team members at QV. Kamnikar played on the junior varsity squad last year.

Rounding out the team were newcomers Michael Ponzo, a senior, Henry Zubanc, a sophomore, and El Folabit, a junior.

Wagoner, who shot a 167 at WPIALs and tied for second with a 74 at the section qualifier, was hoping the Quakers would find a way to compete for a section crown in 2023 despite the lack of senior leadership on the team. That’s where he and Dai fit in.

“Ethan and I (were) expected to lead by example and show our teammates the ropes around the new courses,” Wagoner said. “During the summer, I knew I had a lot of improvement that needed to be done and made some swing and grip changes. I’d like to think Ethan and I both have taken a leadership role for our team.”

Vecchi said Dai and Wagoner, the two longest hitters for QV, were unofficial team captains this season.

“Both have strong heads for the game,” Vecchi said. “If they have trouble at any point, they have the ability to focus on the next ball. That’s important for any level.

“We don’t name captains, but I go to Nolan and Ethan for their thoughts on different team things.”

Quaker Valley and Mohawk tied for third in the WPIAL 2A team tournament with a score of 431.

The right-handed hitting Dai, who is aiming to average 300 yards on his drives next season, recorded the day’s lowest round with a 2-over par 74.

The Quakers won the section championship with a 10-0 record in 2022 and tied for first with an 8-2 mark this year.