WPGA amateurs take on Tri-State professionals in 2026 Palmer Cup Matches

by Josh Rowntree | Sep 1, 2026

STARTING TIMES | RESULTS 

LATROBE — A September tradition continues Thursday in Latrobe, as top WPGA amateur golfers face Tri-State Section, PGA of America professionals in the 2026 Palmer Cup Matches. 

Each team, including the WPGA’s Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Team, consists of ten players and four senior players each, with the WPGA’s team made up of amateurs and the Tri-State’s team consisting of local golf professionals.  

The event, hosted by Latrobe Country Club since 1996, will feature 36 holes of match play with four-ball matches in the morning followed by singles matches in the afternoon. The senior amateurs in the field will each play just one singles match, which will take place in the afternoon. 

Play will begin Thursday at 8 a.m.

The WPGA’s lineup will be Nick Turowski, Scott Jordan, Carson Kittsley, Matt Mattioli, Amani D’Ambrosio, Austin Lemieux, Rick Stimmel, Jon Pratkanis, Darin Kowalski and Kevin Fajt. Senior players in Bob Crnjarich, Bill Rosemeyer, Ted Grassi and Erik Bertrand round out the WPGA representatives. 

The Tri-State's team will be Justin Collins, Devin Gee, Steve Hopley, Talon Kriebel, Shawn McCall, Justin Moose, Easton Renwick, Kevin Shields, Zach Street and Lucas Cromeenes. Joe Boros, Brett Carman, Jim Cichra and Eddie Perrino will be the Tri-State’s senior players. Former Oakmont Country Club head professional Bob Ford will serve as the Tri-State’s team captain. 

A year ago, Team WPGA captured its third straight victory in the Palmer Cup with a 11.5-7.5 triumph. In 2024, the WPGA won the event by a 9.5-7.5 final. That followed a 10-7 win for the amateurs in 2023 — the Association’s first win in five years. 

The Tri-State professionals are 19-9-2 all-time against the WPGA amateurs in the event that pays tribute to one of the game’s greatest figures in Arnold Palmer. 

For 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 over 42,000 members. The WPGA conducts 17 individual competitions and 13 team events, and administers the WPGA Foundation, the WPGA Scholarship Fund, and the Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame.