At home course, several South Hills members earn spot in WPGA Mid-Am
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • August 12, 2025
WHITEHALL — Course knowledge can be an undeniable advantage.
That played out Tuesday at South Hills Country Club, as several of the club’s members used experience to qualify for the 40th WPGA Mid-Amateur Championship.
“I really can't put it into words,” said Daniel Joseph of the advantage he had playing at his home club. “For someone that's never seen this place, it's just like a double (bogey) waiting to happen.
“You have to stay below the hole and then, really inside five feet, it's going to test you because the putt has to be really good to go in. If you kind of try to lip a putt, it won't work here.”
Joseph shot 1-over, finishing in a three-way tie atop the leaderboard. He nearly snatched the qualifier’s top position if not for a bogey on the 18th hole.
“I would say that I played like a qualifier today,” said the Thomas Jefferson High School graduate. “I just tried to not make mistakes. All Par 5’s I laid up on just because I didn't really want to make bogeys and get frustrated.”
Fellow South Hills member David Kostanich, who birdied the first four holes, held the lead for much of the day before a late double bogey. He, Jospeh and Southpointe Golf Club’s Brendan Shaughnessy, all shot 1-over.
In total, 21 players earned spots in the 40th WPGA Mid-Amateur Championship, which will be held at Green Oaks Country Club on September 2.
Among other qualifying players was New York Rangers forward J.T. Miller, who shot 3-over. Joseph’s brother, Corey, shot 4-over in his first qualifying event.
“The best part about today was just having my brother play,” said Daniel Joseph of Corey, who also belongs to South Hills Country Club. “It's his first qualifier. We're a hockey family, so we’re big competitors. He's a year and a half older than me. And then we have my oldest brother (Bryan) as well, who's a good golfer.
“Me and my dad, Corey, Bryan, it's been awesome to have that foursome. And me and Corey have just pushed each other over the last three, four years. We just want to beat each other.
“He beats me now sometimes. There was a stretch there where he didn't. So that's kind of pushing me.”
Tyler Lacock and Brian Bartek of South Hills Country Club also qualified for the competition with marks of 3-over and 5-over, respectively. A five-man playoff determined the final two qualifying spots and two alternate positions, as well.
The WPGA conducted another qualifying round last month at Totteridge Golf Course, in which 22 players punched tickets and will join Tuesday’s qualifiers at Green Oaks.
“I’m not the longest player, so I think that course actually fits my game really well,” said Joseph of the Verona club. “I played a qualifier there last year and played really well. I have to try not to push it too early and just hit a lot of greens.”
For final results, please click here. (GGID: 25WPGAMIDAMQ)
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.