Ace for Mars’ Blake Bertolo highlights first round of WPIAL 3A golf championship
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Tuesday, September 27, 2022 | 10:20 PM
Mars senior Blake Bertolo hits from a sand trap on No. 14 at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Bolivar on Sept. 27, 2022 during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
Avonworth junior Kai Carlson reacts after missing a putt on No. 14 green at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Bolivar on Sept. 27, 2022 during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
Central Catholic senior Rocco Salvitti hits a shot on No. 17 at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Bolivar on Sept. 27, 2022 during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship. Salvitti holds a two-shot lead after shooting a 71.
Kiski Area sophomore Trey Roberts hits a shot out of the trees right of the No. 13 fairway at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Bolivar on Sept. 27, 2022 during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Championship.
Laurel Highlands senior Nate Schwertfeger chips on to No. 8 at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Bolivar on Sept. 27, 2022 during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Championship.
Norwin senior Logan Robb hits a chip on No. 8 at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Bolivar on Sept. 27, 2022 during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Championship.
Penn-Trafford junior Nick Turowski hits his drive on No. 15 at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Bolivar on Sept. 27, 2022 during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship. Turowski shot a 2-over par 73.
Shaler senior Jacob Crissman hits a chip on No. 13 at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Bolivar on Sept. 27, 2022 during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
Kiski Area freshman Matt Mottura hits a chip on No. 13 at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Bolivar on Sept. 27, 2022 during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
Fox Chapel junior Davis Kittsley reacts to a missed putt at No. 14 at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Bolivar on Sept. 27, 2022 during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
North Catholic senior Ethan Ellis hits a chip on No. 14 at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Bolivar on Sept. 27, 2022 during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
Moon junior Zack Ross hits from a bunker on No. 14 at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Bolivar on Sept. 27, 2022 during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
Pine-Richland senior Blaise Masciantonio chips onto No. 14 green at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Bolivar on Spet. 27, 2022 during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
Franklin Regional senior Nolan Shilling hits a drive on No. 15 at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Bolivar on Sept. 27, 2022 during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship.
Fox Chapel’s Davey Fuhrer hits a drive on No. 15 at Champion Lakes in Bolivar on Sept. 27, 2022 during the WPIAL Class 3A Golf Championship first round.
Mars’ Blake Bertolo celebrates his hole-in-one on No. 11 at Champion Lakes during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championships Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022.
It was quite an exciting day for Mars senior Blake Bertolo at Champion Lakes Golf Course near Bolivar on Tuesday.
Not only did he qualify for the final round of the WPIAL Class 3A Championship on Oct. 6 at Allegheny Country Club by shooting a 5-over-par 76, but his round also included the first hole-in-one of his young career.
Bertolo was one of 38 players to advance to the final round.
Central Catholic senior Rocco Salvitti leads the tournament after shooting an even-par 71. Salvitti finished his round with an eagle 3 on No. 15 and birdies on No. 17 and 18.
Tied for second is Salvitti’s teammate, Connor Walker, and 2021 champion Nick Turowski of Penn-Trafford. Both are at 2-over 73.
Three players are tied for fourth at 3-over 74. They are Central Catholic senior Aiden Burchanti, Pine-Richland senior Blaise Masciantonio and Butler junior Hunter Swidzinski.
Bertolo said he previously came close to recording an ace.
So with a breeze blowing into his face, Bertolo took an 8-iron from 157 yards and hit a little fade.
“I knew I hit it good,” Bertolo said. “I knew I had a chance to be close.”
The ball landed 5 feet behind the cup, and with a little backspin, started rolling toward the flagstick.
“It hung on the lip for a good three seconds before falling,” Bertolo said. “It’s a moment like this that I’ve been waiting for. It was so exciting.”
Bertolo said he took a couple of deep breaths to get his focus back because he still had to complete his round.
“I had to forget about it and get my mind back,” Bertolo said. “I’ve been close a few times. I played well and hit some solid shots all day.”
Salvitti backed his section qualifier, where he shot a 7-under par 65 at Willowbrook Country Club, with another solid round.
“I’m pleased with my finish,” Salvitti said. “I love the new championship. A championship should never be 18 holes. You get a true champion with 36. I’m looking forward to the final round.”
Turowski said he’s happy with his position despite struggling with the putter at Champion Lakes.
“I made one birdie, and that was on No. 18,” Turowski said. “Even though I didn’t putt well, I pleased with the position I’m in.
“My goal is to go to Allegheny and win another WPIAL title. I started using the putter I won last year’s title with in my bag. It’s going to take a few rounds to get familiar with it again.”
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
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