VERONA — One of the region’s longest running and most beloved team golf championships returns to its long-time home Monday.
The 72nd WPGA Fred Brand Foursomes Championship and 31st Semple Century Foursomes Championship will start at 8 a.m. Monday morning at Longue Vue Club.
Longue Vue Club held the Foursomes Championships each year since 1983, but did not last year due to sweeping course renovations.
Allegheny Country Club — which hosted the championships for the first three decades of their existences — welcomed the competitions last year, with Amani D’Ambrosio and Jack Wymard winning the Brand Foursomes, and Rob Stoops and Todd Renner claiming the Semple Century Foursomes.
Since the event was founded by Jack and Fred Brand, Jr. in 1954 in honor of their father, Fred Brand, Sr., the Fred Brand Foursomes Championship has been a popular early season challenge for local golfers.
Over the years, one duo has dominated the Brand. Sean Knapp and Jeff Schroeder have won the event a record eight times. Knapp has also won seven other times with Steve Fuhrer and Nathan Smith.
The WPGA Semple Century Foursomes Championship — named in honor of Bud and Dick Semple of Allegheny Country Club — has coincided with the Fred Brand Foursomes Championship since 1996.
One team has stood out from the rest during the Semple Foursomes’ history, as the duo of Jim Crawford and Perry Graciano have combined to win five titles, including three straight from 2017 to 2019.
The Semple Century Foursomes is for players over 50 years of age and older, and is of the same format as the Brand Foursomes — 36 holes of foursomes stroke play, also known as Alternate Shot.
Several decorated amateur players will play in this year’s event. Reigning WPGA Men’s Player of the Year Darin Kowalski will team up with 2024 WPGA Open champion Alec Stopperich. They will tee off at 8:00 a.m. alongside the team of Barron Bitar and Team Pennsylvania member Carson Kittsley, a Penn State recruit.
Defending WPGA Brothers Tournament winners David and Ronald Denunzio will tee off in the following group, with D’Ambrosio — this year teaming up Michael Wareham — in the following starting time.
2024 WPGA Amateur Champion and Men’s Player of the Year Nathan Piatt will play on a team with Carter Pitcairn, while Team Pennsylvania member Nico Ward will compete alongside WPGA Williamson Cup member Ty Hartman.
Teams will tee off from the first and ninth holes between 8:00 a.m. and 9:28 a.m., with the second round starting following a brief break following players’ opening 18 holes.
For media inquiries, please contact WPGA Director of Communications Josh Rowntree.
