Youth golfers cap season in regional tournament at Nemacolin

The Southern Conference 1 all-stars, a co-ed team of golfers ages 13 and under from the Pittsburgh region, placed third at a PGA Jr. League regional over the weekend at Woodlands Resort.

The winner of the four-team round-robin event, Mallard Creek All-Stars from Columbus Station, Ohio, will represent the region against 11 other regions at next month’s national finals at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Southern Conference 1 went 1-2 in its three matches and defeated a team from Buffalo on Sunday after Saturday setbacks to Mallard Creek and a team from Columbus, Ohio.

The squad of 10 representing Valley Brook Country Club, Southpointe Golf Club, St. Clair Country Club, South Hills Country Club and Youghiogheny Country Club earned its spot at the regional tournament by winning the PGA Jr. League Tri-State Section Championship on Aug. 13 at Willowbrook Country Club in Apollo.

Players throughout the season 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, Youghiogheny 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