Penn-Trafford’s Turowski captures second WPIAL Class 3A golf title
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Monday, October 2, 2023 | 9:04 PM
Penn-Trafford’s Nick Turowski pumps his fist after winning the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Valleybrook Country Club.
Penn-Trafford’s Nick Turowski reacts after receiving his WPIAL gold medal after winning the Class 3A boys golf championship on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Valleybrook Country Club.
Penn-Trafford’s Nick Turowski watches his tee shot on Hole 17 during the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Valleybrook Country Club.
Upper St. Clair’s Connor McKenzie watches his tee shot on Hole 17 during the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Valleybrook Country Club.
Upper St. Clair’s Connor McKenzie pumps his fist after sinking his putt on Hole 18 to finish in second place during the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Valleybrook Country Club.
Butler’s Hunter Swidzinski watches his his tee shot on Hole 17 during the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Valleybrook Country Club.
Penn-Trafford’s Nick Turowski lays down on the Hole 17 fairway between shots during the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Valleybrook Country Club.
Penn-Trafford’s Nick Turowski eyes up his birdie putt on Hole 15 during the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Valleybrook Country Club.
Penn-Trafford’s Nick Turowski pumps his fist after sinking a birdie putt on Hole 15 during the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Valleybrook Country Club.
Fox Chapel’s Davis Kittsley watches his putt on Hole 15 during the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Valleybrook Country Club.
Fox Chapel’s David Fuhrer watches his putt on Hole 14 during the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Valleybrook Country Club.
Fox Chapel’s Davis Kittsley watches his tee shot on Hole 17 during the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Valleybrook Country Club.
Penn-Trafford’s Nick Turowski chips onto the Hole 18 green during the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Valleybrook Country Club.
Penn-Trafford’s Nick Turowski celebrates after winning the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Valleybrook Country Club.
Penn-Trafford’s Nick Turowski celebrates as he leaves the 18th green after winning the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Valleybrook Country Club.
Nick Turowski was so relaxed during the final round of the WPIAL Class 3A golf championship Monday at Valley Brook Country Club he laid down on the 17th fairway waiting for the green to clear.
“The plan today was to come out and have fun,” Turowski said after his five-shot victory. “I didn’t want to take myself too seriously, but I’m very aggressive and I want to hit the driver anytime I can.
“I was happy with the way I putted, and it kept me in it early because I had some bad ball striking. Everything went together.”
When the Penn-Trafford senior birdied the final hole, he pumped his fist and acknowledged the crowd. It was the second time he won the WPIAL title. The first one came in 2021 at Nemacolin Country Club in an 18-hole event.
The past two seasons, the WPIAL has switched to a 36-hole event over two days. The first round was Sept. 25 at Latrobe Country Club, where Turowski shot an even-par 72 and took a one-shot lead into the final round.
He shot a 2-under 70 at Valley Brook and finished with a total of 2-under 142. Upper St. Clair junior Connor McKenzie, who began the final round a shot back, couldn’t catch Turowski, who went up three shots after the first two holes.
“This one was a little more special,” Turowski said. “My sophomore year was a little different because it was an 18-hole competition. I think two rounds, 36 holes, a week apart at two different golf courses I feel it really shows who the best player in the WPIAL is.”
McKenzie was able to get within a shot through six holes, but Turowski posted consecutive birdies (Nos. 7 and 8) to regain his comfortable lead. McKenzie finished the tournament with a 3-over 147.
“I wasn’t too happy with two bogeys in a row early my round,” Turowski said. “I birdied two of the final three holes. I went from 1-over to 1-under, which was huge.”
When he birdied No. 8, he felt the tournament was his.
“The biggest shots of the day were Nos. 7 and 8,” Turowski said. “Connor was creeping back up on me, and I hit it to within 10 feet on No. 7 and two-putted for birdie.
“Then on No. 8, I made a 15-footer for birdie. The second it went in, it’s not like you know you’re going to win, but you feel a lot more confident. Those two holes were everything.”
It was a big day for Hannastown Golf Club of Greensburg as Turowski and the Class 2A champion, Frazier senior Nixen Erdely, are members of the club.
McKenzie said he was hoping his knowledge of the McMurray course, where he is a member, would be beneficial. But he said Turowski was just too good.
“Nick was making every putt,” McKenzie said. “He’s a heckuva player. I’m excited. I have one more year, and I’m excited to go play Oakmont next year. Hopefully, I can win.”
McKenzie said his focus is on the PIAA championship at Penn State’s Blue Course.
Turowski and McKenzie have had previous success at Penn State.
Joining the Oct. 16 and 17 event are Butler senior Hunter Swidzinski, who placed third with 6-over 150; Fox Chapel junior Davis Kittsley, who placed fourth with a 7-over 151; and Fox Chapel senior David Fuhrer, who was fifth with an 8-over 152.
Peters Township junior Colton Lusk, Shaler junior Jacob Crissman and Baldwin freshman Michael Quallich tied for sixth with a 9-over 153, North Allegheny sophomore Ravi Desai was ninth with a 154, Pine-Richland junior Will Hilton and Peters Township junior Ryan Watterson were tied for tenth with a 155.
Latrobe sophomore Jack Sacriponte and Moon senior Zack Ross tied for 12th with a 156.
“It was biggest accomplishment of the summer,” Sacriponte said. “I feel good about it. It’s really exciting.
“I was thinking under 80 was my goal. I was thinking about keeping my putts close and being smart with the ball and keep it in play.”
A playoff was needed to decide the final PIAA berth.
Plum junior Wes Lorish used a birdie on the first playoff hole to earn the 14th spot. He edged Fox Chapel freshman Carson Kittsley and South Fayette sophomore Sam Bishop.
“I definitely didn’t do it the easy way,” Lorish said. “It came down to the playoff, and I knew I had to make something happen. Pars and bogeys are not good enough in the playoffs.
“I just wanted to attack that pin. It was one of the easier holes out here.”
Lorish chose a 4-iron off the tee and hit his 56-degree wedge from 110 yards to within 5 feet.
“It wasn’t a difficult putt,” Lorish said. “It broke a little right.”
This is the second consecutive year that Lorish has qualified for the state tournament. He finished 10th in 2022.
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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