Three National Qualifiers have Golf Looking to Bright Future
After sending three golfers to the USCAA National Tournament for the first time since the 2011 season, the PSUGA Golf team has a bright future with six of seven golfers returning.
McKeesport, PA. – With the 2019 season in the books, the Penn State Greater Allegheny Golf team has a lot to look forward to as they head to the off-season. It was a successful season for the second-year program as three golfers competed at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Championships. This was the team’s first appearance at the national tournament since the 2011-2012 season.
Leading the way was senior Bert Hinton (Richmond, VA./Benedictine College Prep) who shot a team-low 84.2 average throughout the season. After starting the year shooting an 84 at the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUCA) White Course Invitational, Hinton continued to get better match after match and ended the season shooting an 80 at the USCAA National Invitational.
Hinton placed 40th in the field of 118 golfers and 11th amongst his PSUAC counterparts. He recorded the highest finish by a PSUGA Golfer at the National Tournament in school history. Hinton was the most improved PSUGA golfer this season and his hard work and consistency paid off as he helped PSUGA golf get back in the PSUAC landscape in his senior season.
PSUGA will return six of its seven athletes including two of their USCAA qualifiers for the 2020-2021 season. Justin Wortman (Ashburn, VA./Briar Woods HS) leads the returners with an average of 88.9 this season. He started the year off strong at the White Course Invitational shooting a team-best 80 and finished under 90 in four of his six matches this season.
Sean Murphy (Churchill, PA./Woodland Hills HS) also returns next season after averaging a 90.2 during his freshman year. Murphy was another consistent shooter throughout the season hitting 90 or better in four of his six matches.
Angie Nylander (Elizabeth, PA./Elizabeth Forward HS) returns to lead the women’s side after just missing out on a trip to the National Tournament, averaging a 109 during the 2019 season. Nylander was consistently one of the top female golfers in the PSUAC. Her season-best came during the PSU-New Kensington Invitational where she shot a 101 and finished tied for 25th overall.
Head Coach Mark Valko enters his first full off-season and looks to bring in another strong recruiting class. The next class of recruits will be key to helping the PSUGA Golf program grow and compete for a PSUAC championship.