Fox Chapel junior builds early lead at WPIAL golf championships
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Monday, September 22, 2025 | 9:15 PM
Plum’s Gavin Fike watches his chip shot on No. 4 at Willowbrook Country Club during the WPIAL Class 3A qualifier Monday.
Franklin Regional’s Dylan Mauser watches his drive on No. 18 at Willowbrook Country Club during the WPIAL Class 3A qualifier Monday.
Latrobe’s Jack Sacriponte watches his drive on No. 18 at Willowbrook Country Club during the WPIAL Class 3A qualifier Monday.
Kiski Area’s Max Mottora reacts after missing a birdie putt on No. 18 at Willowbrook Country Club during the WPIAL Class 3A qualifier Monday.
Fox Chapel junior golfer Carson Kittsley hopes history does not repeat itself.
Kittsley led the 2024 WPIAL Class 3A championship after one round but did not finish the job and finished fourth behind Peters Township’s Colton Lusk at Oakmont Country Club.
He did, however, win the PIAA title.
Well, Kittsley is again at the top of the leaderboard heading to the final round Sept. 29 at Butler County Club.
Kittsley shot a 6-under-par 66 on Monday at Willowbrook Country Club, and he holds a two-shot edge on his teammate, sophomore Baron Bitar, who shot a 4-under 68. Latrobe senior Jack Sacriponte and West Allegheny sophomore Nico Ward shot 2-under 70s.
“I went out and had a lot of fun,” Kittsley said. “I played my game. I hit a lot of fairways and made a lot of putts.”
Kittsley had seven birdies and one bogey.
“I chunked an 8-iron on No. 9,” Kittsley said. “I stayed focused, and I did not worry about what was going on around me.”
Sacriponte looks to climb the ladder at Butler Country Club.
He played well but would like to have his three-putt on No. 18 back.
“I am happy,” Sacriponte said. “I made a lot of birdies. I am very confident going to Butler. The greens are great.”
Sacriponte qualified for states as a sophomore.
Kiski Area senior Max Mottura and Belle Vernon senior Jack Edwards were among four golfers to shoot even-par 72.
Mottura said he is happy to advance but a little disappointed he did not play well at his home course.
“I hit the ball well all day,” Mottura said. “My ball striking was great. I could not make a putt. I probably had five or six birdie putts inside eight feet.
“I like Butler. The course sets up nice for me.”
The top 36 players and ties advanced to the final round.
In Class 2A, senior Jonah Schollaert of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart shot a 2-under 70 to take a two-shot lead over Greensburg Salem sophomore Luke Sikora at Hillcrest Country Club, Lower Burrell.
The final round is Sept. 30 at Valleybrook Country Club, Canonsburg.
Ligonier Valley senior Tyler Jones is third at 3-over, Riverview junior Ian Stempfer is fourth at 4-over, and Shady Side Academy junior Alex Avi, Neshannock junior Rocci Sautti and Sewickley Academy freshman Trey Susa are at 5-over.
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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• Fox Chapel’s Carson Kittsley joins elite company with 2nd state golf title
