Tragesser leads strong amateur showing at West Penn Open
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • June 18, 2025
While he was unable to leave with his second outright WPGA championship of the season, Chuck Tragesser wasn’t empty-handed as he walked away from Sewickley Heights Golf Club Wednesday night.
Tragesser earned Low Amateur honors in the 122nd WPGA Open Championship, firing off three consistent rounds to the tune of a 7-under performance.
“Overall, I’m pleased with three rounds under par,” he said. “In the past I’d have one good round and then throw a 1-over or 2-over in. I was happy that I could get all three rounds under par.”
Tragesser finished in a three-way tie for the runner-up spot with a pair of professionals, Rob McClellan and Beau Titsworth.
He carded rounds of 69-68-69 for the 206 score, with his most stable round coming Wednesday afternoon, recording just one bogey over his final 18 holes.
“Today I got off to a good start,” said the Franklin Regional grad who currently plays at Robert Morris. “The front nine is definitely a bit easier than the back. Making birdies on the front gets you off to a good start.
“The second half of today was much tougher with all of the wind, we hadn’t seen that in the first two rounds. I got close to the most I could out of today. Where I lost the most shots was definitely the first two rounds.”
That final round wind brought with it rain and lightning late Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the third suspension of play during the championship.
On Tuesday, a lengthy delay stopped play in the afternoon. A second burst of rain forced a suspension that ended Tuesday’s play for good, forcing the entire field to complete their second round Wednesday.
While some players struggled with the stops and restarts, Tragesser seemed to keep calm through the storms.
“It isn’t too difficult,” said Tragesser, who dealt with tough weather conditions last month when he claimed the 32nd WPGA Spring Stroke Play Championship at Pittsburgh Field Club. “With playing college golf and all the delays, it happens and there’s nothing you can do about it. I’d say we’re all kind of used to it by now.
“I had maybe 10 holes to play with the first rain delay, so it didn’t bother me too much.”
Tragesser led an impressive showing by West Penn amateur players in the lone WPGA competition that mixes in professionals with them.
Scott Jordan, who just wrapped up a strong career at Longwood University, held or was tied for the lead for much of the championship until a late double bogey dropped him out of the top spot and opened the door for overall champion Connor Schmidt.
Jordan’s college teammate, Hunter Swidzinski, finished in a tie for sixth at 5-under, as two late bogeys kept him from tying Tragesser’s Low Am mark.
Amani D’Ambrosio – who was part of the WPGA’s Fred Brand Foursomes winning team this year – finished ninth at 4-under, while 2024 WPGA Mid-Amateur champion Ian Bangor ended up a shot behind him. Two more amateurs, Nick Sorkin and 2024 WPGA Amateur champion Nathan Piatt, were 1-under. Piatt had the championship’s best individual round with a score of 64 in round two.
This was the third straight year that a professional has won the competition. Alec Stopperich, a former high school teammate and close from of Schmidt, won the event at Indiana Country Club in 2024. Beau Titsworth won at Edgewood Country Club in 2023.
The last amateur to win the WPGA Open Championship is a relatively popular name. Neal Shipley claimed the 2022 title at The Club at Nevillewood.
“It’s fun playing with the pros,” said Jordan. “This is a great field and one of the best tournaments I’ll play in all summer. Playing with these guys and their experience, it rubs off on me for sure. I try to play my best and play even better.”
For final results, please click here. (GGID: 25WPGAOPEN)
For any media inquiries, please contact WPGA Director of Communications Josh Rowntree.
About the WPGA
Founded in 1899, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association is the steward of amateur golf in the region. Started by five Member Clubs, the association now has nearly 200 Member Clubs and nearly 37,000 members. The WPGA conducts 14 individual competitions and 10 team events, and administers the WPGA Scholarship Fund and Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame.