Young Thomas Jefferson golf team builds solid foundation

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, October 27, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Thomas Jefferson’s boys golf program was filled with young athletes this fall with no seniors among its 16 competitors.

Three varsity starters — Ty Hartman, Hunter Haines and A.J. Weidmann — were freshmen.

The Jaguars’ No. 1 player, however, was junior Maggie Allan, who also served as team captain.

TJ’s starting lineup consisted of Allan, Hartman, Haines, junior Owen Michael, Weidmann and either juniors Michael Banks or Bryson Neiport. Jake Pritchard, a top sophomore, rounded out the team.

“I was surprised at how well our team handled pressure situations for being such a young team,” said Kurt Olinger, TJ’s first-year coach. “We shot 185 our first match of the season which is an average of 37 per player. We won four matches by four strokes or less, including beating Canon-McMillan by one shot, 190-191, on their home course at Lindenwood.

“Maggie Allan was also a highlight. To be the only girl on a boys team and play at the No. 1 spot is tough and she did very well. Ty Hartman qualified for the WPIAL first round at Southpointe and advanced to the WPIAL finals at Oakmont, where he shot 77 but lost in a sudden death hole to advance to states. I’m really proud of him for being a freshman and advancing as far as he did.”

Allan, who is just 5-foot tall and a three-year varsity starter, averaged around a 40 score for nine holes this season.

“Maggie is a great teammate,” Hartman said.

Allan, who has a 3.5 GPA, said the strongest part of her game is her driving.

“I think we are a really strong team with a lot of good players,” Allan said, “and although our season didn’t have the greatest outcome, we have a lot of potential to be better in the future.

“I don’t have much to say about being the only girl. It doesn’t feel much different. And I didn’t feel any extra pressure (competing at the No. 1 position). In my opinion, it doesn’t matter what spot you’re playing as long as you’re in the top six because your score counts either way.”

Hartman advanced to the WPIAL individual tournament by tying for third with a round of 74 at the sectional qualifier at Lindenwood.

“We started the season strong,” said Hartman, who noted the best club in his golf bag is his driver. ”We played well at our home course but fell behind on the road later in the season due to our lack of experience.

“I was pretty disappointed in my outcome in the individual playoffs. I was going into the first round at Southpointe with a goal to win the WPIAL championship. The layout at Southpointe does not fit my game and it showed by my shooting 80 in the first round of the championship.”

The WPIAL final round for Class 3A took place at Oakmont Country Club.

“Even though I was out of the race to win, I was very excited to play at one of the best courses in the world at Oakmont,” Hartman said. “I started out the day in 19th place and clawed my way back to ninth as I was 1-over through eight holes.

“A couple of untimely bogeys cost me. I battled to birdie 17 and par 18 to get to the playoff for the 14th (PIAA qualifying) spot. Unfortunately, I didn’t hit a great second shot and lost in the playoff.”

Hartman, who also competes in hockey for TJ, was one of five freshmen who qualified for the WPIAL Class 3A individual championship. He shot 80-77 in the two rounds to tie for 14th with Belle Vernon senior Jordan Mocella, who secured the final PIAA berth in the playoff.

In Section 5-3A play, the Jaguars (5-7) defeated Baldwin twice, split decisions with Canon-McMillan, Trinity and Bethel Park and lost twice to Peters Township and Mt. Lebanon.

“We started off the year very well,” Olinger said. “We struggled on the road in the second half of the section. Being a young team, we have a lot of potential and are excited for the next couple of seasons with this group. Our section is very tough and we need to be more consistent with our scores, especially on the road to compete for a section title and be a playoff team.

“It was really enjoyable to coach this team because of how dedicated they are and the time and effort they put in to get better. We have many players on the team who practice and play all year-round and in tournaments during the summer. As a coach, that is all you can ask for — to have players who want to improve and be better.”

Next year’s competition for a starting spot should prove to be feisty. There were three juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen on the JV squad this season.

JV golfer included juniors Jake Palmer, Derek Schliebner and Jake Simon, sophomores Max Jones and Noah Moser and freshmen Ryder Mulvihill, Mike Stock and Nate Thatcher.

Olinger looks for TJ to make a vigorous playoff push in 2025.

“We expect to be a good team next year since we will have a lot of returning players,” Olinger said. “Our section is extremely tough and there are a lot of tough teams returning a lot of good players. We hope that we will be able to improve on our finish in the section and hopefully be a playoff team.”

The freshmen in the TJ golf program are all great friends and compete on local tours together.

Hartman is a scratch golfer who has competed on the national scene. He has played at many national events, including Jr. PGA championships.

Haines and Weidmann also participated in the Jr. PGA championships last year and made it to the semifinal round.

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