Plum boys golf recovers from graduation loss to contend in Section 4-3A

By: Michael Love
Saturday, August 23, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Keith Nonnenberg understood what the impact of losing four golfers to graduation after a strong run of success the past couple of years would have on the Plum boys golf team.

Wes Lorish, one of the top golfers in the state through last season, moved on to Marshall. Tim Pease was a consistent starter in the lineup for several years, and Chayce Urban and Blaine Favero contributed with starts in matches for the Mustangs, who placed third last year at the WPIAL Class 3A team championships.

But with the return of seniors Dany Caruso and Tyler Pastor to help lead this year’s group, Nonnenberg likes the way his team has competed against some strong competition through the first couple of weeks this season.

“This team is very close-knit,” he said.

“They talk a lot, and because they have junior memberships to Willlowbrook, after matches there, most of the time, a lot of the kids will go back out and play another nine. They like playing together. They have a really good chemistry.”

Plum is back in action in Section 4-3A against Central Catholic, Franklin Regional, Gateway, Penn Hills, West Mifflin and Woodland Hills.

The Mustangs kicked off the season with a 181-223 win over Gateway at Cloverleaf Golf Club on Aug. 11 before a 189-216 loss to rival Franklin Regional at Willowbrook two days later.

“That was very much a surprise (against Franklin Regional),” Nonnenberg said. “A lot of them didn’t play their best golf that day.”

Plum edged Penn-Trafford by one stroke, 189-190, Aug. 14, at Manor Valley.

“When they came in, I was plugging in scores on a spreadsheet, and I told them we got them by one,” Nonnenberg said. “(Junior) Gavin (Fink) was in the last group, and he said, ‘Good thing I sank that 20-foot putt on the last hole.’ I didn’t see him make the putt. It ended up being for birdie. That obviously was huge for us. He didn’t know it was for the win.

“I told the boys that no matter if it is the first shot of the day or the last shot, every stroke counts. That was a great lesson and a refresher for them.”

The Mustangs split back-to-back matches Aug. 18 and 19 at Willowbrook, falling to Mars, 194-203, and beating Woodland Hills, 191-230, to move to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in section play.

Caruso shot 34 against Woodland Hills, and he carded a 33 against Mars.

“Dany has started this year unbelievably,” Nonnenberg said. “He’s been under par in four of the first five matches, and the other one, he was even par. He has really stepped in to be the team leader thus far.”

Pastor, Nonnenberg said, still is looking to round into form.

“He had moments last year where he played really well,” Nonnenberg said.

“He’s been working on some things with his swing, so he’s been a little more inconsistent at the beginning of the season than he or I would like to see. But I expect him to settle in and post some good scores.”

Nonnenberg said both Caruso and Pastor have been strong senior leaders for this year’s group.

“They have done a great job helping bring this team together,” he said.

Nonnenberg said Fink, a varsity returnee, has been playing good golf in the early season. He shot 39 against Mars and fired a 36 against Woodland Hills.

“He has been a pretty consistent player for us,” Nonnenberg said.

Andrew Bench, a senior newcomer to the varsity team, is a transfer from Norwin.

“He’s really been a nice surprise,” Nonnenberg said.

“With losing four seniors from last year, I was looking for some guys to step in. He’s been one of those guys. He’s posted some really good scores. He shot 38 against Woodland Hills. He carded a 42 against Mars, but he took a 9 on a par 5. If not for that, he’s coming off back-to-back 38s. He’s been a really nice addition to the team.”

Ethan Kemmerer, a sophomore, has enjoyed baseball success at different levels, and he now is taking his shots on the golf team.

“I coached Ethan in baseball when he was 7 or 8 years old,” Nonnenberg said.

“He is golfing with us and also playing fall ball with the baseball team. He has stepped in and put up some good rounds for us. He shot 40 against Woodland Hills. Ethan is just an all-around athlete. He stepped in never playing competitive golf and at tryouts shot 85 at Willowbrook. You don’t just start playing golf and shoot 85 at Willowbrook without having some athleticism.”

Nonnenberg said senior Jonah Rush, Plum’s sixth man in the lineup who shot a 38 against Woodland Hills, has improved his game, while senior Max Woltjen and junior Reed Spenik are looking to make their mark.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

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