Quaker Valley’s Kamnikar siblings carry summer success into high school golf season

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, August 24, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Two members of the Kamnikar family played a ton of golf this summer.

Both Makenna, a senior and fourth-year competitor on of the Quaker Valley boys golf team, and Joseph, a sophomore and second-year varsity player, participated in nine tournaments on the PGA Tri-State Junior Tour.

Makenna Kamnikar placed in the top three seven times, including a first-place finish June 9 at the season-opening tournament at Ligonier Country Club.

She golfed in the girls 16-18 age division and won with an 8-over score with 11 pars and seven bogeys on the par-70 course.

In fact, Makenna and her younger brother both took home titles from Ligonier.

“Makenna had a great summer,” QV coach Greg Vecchi said. “She’s dedicated, a good student under David Kuhn, and loves golf.”

Kamnikar, 17, finished second three times — including her runner-up performance June 24 at Sewickley Heights Golf Club — and third in another three events

She placed second at the Highlands Golf Club tournament June 11 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort and at Latrobe Country Club.

“I think my game is the strongest it’s ever been,” she said, “and after the work I’ve been putting in over the offseason, I have a stronger mindset, and I’m really excited to get to compete again.

“This season is really important to me as it’s my senior season so I’m going into it with a positive mindset and I’m excited to play my best golf yet.”

Third-place showings for the QV linkster took place at Avalon Field Club at New Castle, Fort Cherry Golf Club and the season-ending Isaly’s Junior Golf Tour Player of the Year championship July 31 at Nemacolin Woodlands.

“Makenna also won the junior club championship at Sewickley Heights,” Vecchi said.

Kamnikar also competes on the QV girls swim team in the winter months.

“I’m planning to swim again while balancing offseason golf work at my coach’s program, Kuhn Golf Academy,” she said.

Joseph Kamnikar, 15, won his division championship at Ligonier with a 9-over score that included nine pars, eight bogeys plus a birdie on the final hole that sealed the deal.

He edged Eli Brody from Cranberry Township by two strokes.

“My performance on the Tri-State tour was somewhat underwhelming for me after all the improvements I made in the offseason,” he said. “My season started very well with the win at Ligonier Country club, a top four finish at the Seven Springs Highlands Golf Course and a 76-76 at the South Hills TSPJA qualifier.

“Unfortunately, my season fizzled out later in the summer. I still ended up in the Player of The Year Tournament at Mystic Rock but again had an underwhelming finish. My Tri-State season can be described with some of the best moments of my golf career and some of my most disappointing moments so far.”

Joseph Kamnikar said he and his sister provide a valuable support system for each other on and off the links.

“It’s always so fun to play alongside my sister. She’s been by my side all my life through golf, school and other challenges,” he said. “She influences me as a golfer and a person, but I would say we support each other instead of it being like a mentor and student relationship.

“We both started playing golf at the same time and grew our games together, so it’s more of us helping each other instead of one person leading the way. We push each other to become the best version of ourselves. I don’t know if I’d be in the same position I am in golf right now if I didn’t have her to push me to be better.”

Vecchi is anticipating a strong performance for the younger Kamnikar sibling in ‘25.

“Joseph had a great year as a freshman,” Vecchi said. “I know he’s really excited to get back to competition after putting in the time during the offseason.”

Joseph Kamnikar has a few important goals for 2025.

“Last season, I missed my (state) qualifying chance in the first round of WPIALs,” he said, “so one of my main goals this year is not only to get past the first round but to make it to the state championships. I think it’s very achievable with how I’ve been playing.

“Another goal is to help lead the team past the sectional round. We came up short last year missing states, but my expectation this year is to make it all the way to states if the team keeps improving throughout the season. Everyone is playing some of the best golf of their careers and I fully expect us to get better throughout the year.”

The Kamnikars are the second brother-sister golf tandem Vecchi has coached as QV teammates. The first were senior Aidan Bulger and freshman Eva Bulger in 2019.

Eva won the WPIAL girls championship that year and placed seventh in the state. Aidan finished fifth in the district playoffs and 21st in the state.

Tags: Quaker Valley