Quaker Valley athlete of the week: Aidan Bulger

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 | 7:03 AM

Aidan Bulger

School: Quaker Valley

Sport: Golf

Class: Junior

Claim to fame: Aidan Bulger doesn’t remember the first time he played golf — he would have been 2 years old and the club was plastic. He also couldn’t keep score, but Bulger was addicted to the sport his parents also loved. He recently placed third at the WPIAL Class AA individual championships and qualified for the PIAA West Regional after not making the cut last year.

Practicing with his dad nearly every day, Bulger said, has paid off in competition.

Did you expect to have a lot of success in WPIAL tournament?

I expected to do pretty good, but coming into the tournament I wasn’t playing too well. I think at competitions when it’s time to go I just find a way to pull it off and have a good round. My driver was a little off, but everything else, especially my wedge game, was really solid.

What aspect of your game has improved the most from last season?

My ball striking. Last year, I really struggled at hitting greens, but this year I’m hitting the greens and getting a lot more birdie opportunities.

Is there a lot of competition between teammates when you are part of such a strong golf program?

Yes. There’s a lot of competition, but we’re also really close when we’re playing against each other. That makes it really competitive between us.

Sewickley Academy has won five consecutive WPIAL Class AA championships, and Quaker Valley came close to dethroning the Panthers a year ago. What has the team been working on to capture the title?

We’ve all just been practicing and grinding for the team tournament coming up. We’re getting better every day, and hopefully we beat them and go to states. That would mean a lot. All of us have worked really hard this year, so it would be great to win.

Who inspired you to play golf?

My mom and dad bought me a plastic club when I was 2 years old. I don’t remember that, but I picked it up because of my mom and dad and grandfather. It was fun, and I enjoyed playing every day. My dad and I work on our games a lot together. We go almost every day, usually at Allegheny Country Club.

What your favorite hole at Allegheny County Club?

Hole 8. It’s an easy tee shot, and I make a lot of birdies on it.

Shawn Annarelli is a freelance writer.

Tags: Quaker Valley