While the golf world gears up for one of the year’s most anticipated events in the Masters, a pair of local players have already gotten a taste of Augusta National Golf Club this week.
Brooke Kline, a 13-year-old from Sewickley, finished third in the 12-13 age division of the 12th Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta this past weekend.
Kline and her father, Chris — who regularly plays in WPGA competitions and local USGA qualifying events — are members at Sewickley Heights Golf Club.
Chris Kline had a top 20 finish in the 122nd WPGA Open Championship this past summer.
The younger Kline performed very well at the home of the Masters, excelling in the Driving and Chipping portions of the event most. She finished with 23 points, as Lucy Cui of Honolulu, Hawaii won the division with a score of 24.5.
But Kline wasn’t the only Sewickley native who competed in Augusta.
Trey Susa of Sewickley finished in seventh place in the Boys 14-15 age division.
Susa, a member of The Club at Nevillewood, performed well in the putting portion of the competition, with the fourth-best score among all players in his division in that round.
The Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, now a dozen years old, have become a premier event for young golfers to compete in. And the competition is supported by stars.
Top finishers had their photos taken with Masters champions Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Scottie Scheffler and Dustin Johnson, as well as women’s golf legend Nancy Lopez.
Fuhrer II, Loughry secure weekly conference honors
A pair of local players brought home weekly awards in the past month at their respective colleges.
George Mason sophomore David Fuhrer II was named the Atlantic 10 Golfer of the Week following a strong performance at the Dorado Beach Collegiate Tournament in Puerto Rico, guiding the Patriots to a seventh-place finish.
Fuhrer II, the reigning WPGA Amateur Champion who played his high school golf at Fox Chapel, is a member at Oakmont Country Club.
George Mason has achieved its best national ranking in program history this season with Fuhrer II playing a significant role in just his second year.
Fuhrer II wasn’t alone in being recognized with a weekly award.
Troy Loughry of Grove City was named the Mountain East Conference Golfer of the Week in late March.
Loughry shot a two-round score of 144, as both he and the team finished second overall at the Cal U Invitational at Lone Pine Country Club.
A grad student, Loughry began his career at Point Park University. He now has two top ten finishes this season.
Loughry, like Fuhrer II, is a frequent participant in WPGA competitions, including a top five finish at the 40th WPGA Mid-Amateur Championship last summer.
Shipley gives some advice to junior golfers
Going through his first season as a PGA TOUR professional, Neal Shipley is still making time during his busy schedule to give back to Western Pennsylvania.
Shipley spoke with WPGA Director of Communications Josh Rowntree in advance of the 2026 Junior Golf Night event, hosted at Chartiers Country Club on March 25.
The Pittsburgh native detailed his life in junior golf, the ups and downs of recruiting and some strong tactics for young golfers to utilize as they improve their game.
You can watch the full conversation here.
For any media inquiries, please contact WPGA Director of Communications Josh Rowntree.
