It was a strong spring golf season for several local players at their respective colleges.
Throughout the country, Western Pennsylvanians took home Division I conference accolades and achieved great heights on the course this spring.
At Bradley University, South Fayette native Caroline McConnell took home All-MVC honors for the first time in her career. She led the Braves in stroke average this season with a mark of 74.63, the fifth-best season performance in program history. Bradley was invited to the National Golf Invitational in Maricopa, Arizona.
At Longwood University, Butler High School product Hunter Swidzinski took home Big South First Team honors and was also named the conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year. A year after earning Big South All-Freshman recognition, Swidzinski led the Lancers with a 71.88 scoring average and picked up his first collegiate win in February.
Former WPGA Girls Match Play champion Grace Windfelder, an Oakland Catholic grad, had a strong finish to her season at Fairfield, finishing second in the MAAC Women’s Golf Championship. Her 3-under score was just one stroke off of the top spot, as she helped Fairfield to a second place finish in the championship.
Robert Morris was led this year by Chuck Tragesser, as the reigning WPGA Spring Stroke Play champion posted a 72.5 scoring average for the Colonials — the best mark on the team by nearly a full stroke. Tragesser took home Second Team All-Horizon League honors.
Fueled in part by the strong play of Nick Turowski, West Virginia earned a spot in the NCAA Division I Golf Championship. Turowski had five top five finishes this season. The Mountaineers appeared in the Marana Regional in Arizona from May 18-20. Turowski posted a first round score of 70, the second-best mark of any Mountaineer player in the opening round.
At Dayton, Breckin Taylor — who earned the top qualifying spot in last week’s final WPGA Amateur Championship qualifying round — led the Flyers in scoring average at 72.73 and had one top ten finish.
For a second straight year, Duquesne women’s golf’s Sasha Petrochko earned all-conference accolades. Petrochko won the Red Flash Invitational in the fall and had three top ten finishes this season, including a third place mark at the Nittany Lion Invitational.
These players are just a few of the locals who have made an impact in Division I golf this year. On a variety collegiate levels, Western Pennsylvania was well represented on the national stage in the 2025-2026 season.
Western Pennsylvania represented at U.S. Amateur Four-Ball
Five locals competed for a national championship this week in Arizona.
The 11th U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship was held at Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale.
Three teams with Western Pennsylvanians competed in the competition.
Matt Vogt and Kevin O’Brien, who received national attention last year and this year when Vogt qualified for the 125th U.S. Open and had O’Brien as his caddie, finished at 3-under, missing the cut by three strokes.
Vogt — a Cranberry native who now lives in Indianapolis — and O’Brien posted a first round score of 68 in the championship.
Amani D’Ambrosio and Jack Wymard, members at Longue Vue Club, qualified for the Four-Ball in the fall at Willowbrook Country Club. The duo posted a 1-under score this week, including a second round mark of 68.
And Western Pennsylvania amateur legend Nathan Smith teamed up with Todd White of South Carolina to finish at 5-under for the championship.
WPGA Announces Scholarship Fund Recipients
On Tuesday, the WPGA announced the four new recipients of the WPGA Scholarship Fund.
Since 1941, the WPGA Scholarship fund has provided over 800 students who work at WPGA Member Clubs with financial assistance as they pursue their next educational opportunities.
This year's recipients are Nolan Huba (Ligonier Country Club), Chelsea Luxemburger (South Hills Country Club), Morgan Duty (Shannopin Country Club) and Leyton Hassenplug (Green Meadows Golf Course).
To learn more about the WPGA Scholarship fund or to donate, click here.
Morgan takes home prestigious WPIAL recognition
Mya Morgan’s trophy shelf is already getting a bit crowded.
In April, the two-time defending WPIAL and PIAA Girls 3A golf champion received an honor acknowledging her athletic and academic abilities.
Morgan was honored with the 2026 WPIAL James Collins Scholar-Athlete Award, presented to 20 regional student-athletes each year.
The Elizabeth Forward High School senior, who is committed to Central Michigan to study electrical engineering, carried a 4.52 GPA at Elizabeth Forward. She served as president of the Leadership Academy, vice president of the Leo Club and was the lead anchor for the EFHS News Team.
Morgan was one of four high school golfers to receive the award, joining multi-sport standouts in Mohawk’s Bobby Fadden, Plum’s Brooke Price and Charleroi’s Dylan Klinger.
Jackson pulls off dramatic mini tour win
Palmer Jackson is no stranger to big wins.
The Murrysville native has been one of the top names in golf in the region since his high school days at Franklin Regional.
He went on to play at Notre Dame, constructing a solid career with the Irish.
Now a professional, Jackson is still putting up strong performances.
Last month, Jackson won the 45-hole Palm Beach County Open presented by Tremont in Palm Beach, Florida.
Jackson dropped in a 12-foot birdie putt through substantial winds to claim the title, giving him a third win as a professional.
For any media inquiries, please contact WPGA Director of Communications Josh Rowntree.
