Youth all-star golf team to compete at regional tournament

A co-ed all-star team of junior golfers ages 13 and under will tee off Saturday and Sunday at a PGA Jr. League Regional at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort for the right to advance to October’s national finals in Arizona.

The Southern Conference 1 All-Stars, a group of 10 representing Valley Brook Country Club, Southpointe Golf Club, St. Clair Country Club, South Hills Country Club and Youghiogheny Country Club, will face similar all-star teams from Buffalo, N.Y. ; Columbus, Ohio; and Columbia Station, Ohio.

Twelve regional champions will move on to nationals set for Oct. 11-14 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Southern Conference 1 All-Stars won the PGA Jr. League Tri-State Section Championship Aug. 13 at Willowbrook Country Club to earn the spot at regionals.

The team came together based on improvement and performances during the league’s spring and summer regular season that began in April and concluded in July. Players competed in a two-person scramble format designed to build confidence and encourage sportsmanship while receiving coaching from PGA and LPGA professionals.

Southern Conference 1 All-Stars:

Captain: Troy Williams, PGA, Valley Brook Country Club

Christopher Merck, 9, Canonsburg, Valley Brook Country Club

Neil Joon, 13, Pittsburgh, Southpointe Golf Club

Garrett Ziegler, 13, Pittsburgh, St. Clair Country Club

Jeremy Poon, 13, Venetia, Southpointe Golf Club

Ty Hartman, 9, Jefferson Hills, South Hills Country Club

Aaron Didjunas, 10, McKeesport, Youghiogheny Country Club

Caron Higginbotham, 10, Clarksburg (Va.), Youghiogheny Country Club

Jonah Schollaert, 11, Ambridge, Youghiogheny Country Club

Mya Morgan, 11, Elizabeth, Youghiogheny Country Club

Austin Glowacki, 8, South Park, Youghiogheny Country Club