Strong final round gives Bangor third WPGA Mid-Am crown

September 9, 2024
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications

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BUTLER — It may just be about time to start calling Ian Bangor ‘Mr. September.’

Bangor emerged from the pack late Monday, taking the 39th WPGA Mid-Amateur Championship at Butler Country Club — his third victory in the late-season event since 2018.

The 32-year-old shot an even par score of 140 for the two rounds. Propelled by a 2-under 68 in the final round of the competition, he won by four strokes over three players who finished tied for second.

“It's always a competitive field,” said Bangor. “There's always a lot of good players here, so it definitely feels like a great accomplishment to win it three times."

Butler Country Club to host 39th WPGA Mid-Am Monday

September 6, 2024
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications

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BUTLER — With nearly four strong decades of competition behind it, the 39th WPGA Mid-Amateur Championship is set for Monday at Butler Country Club.

Started in 1985 for Western Pennsylvania golfers aged 25 years or older, the event has become a popular staple late in the WPGA schedule and has helped push plenty of successful amateur players into the national scene.

Most notably, Nathan Smith — a four-time winner of the WPGA Mid-Am — has gone on to win four USGA Mid-Amateur national championships and has received a special exemption to play in this year’s USGA Mid-Amateur later this month.

Sean Knapp has was won the championship a record nine times, most recently in 2015. John Jones and Arnold Cutrell have won it three times, while Frank Fuhrer III, Marshall Marraccini, David Brown and Ian Bangor have won the championship twice.

WPGA Amateurs set to face Tri-State Professionals in Palmer Cup Matches

September 4, 2024
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications

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LATROBE — A September tradition continues Thursday in Latrobe, as top WPGA amateur golfers face Tri-State Section, PGA of America professionals in the Palmer Cup Matches.

Each team, including the WPGA’s Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Team, consists of ten amateur players and four senior amateurs.

The event, hosted by Latrobe Country Club since 1996, will feature 36 holes of match play with a four-ball competition in the morning followed by individual matches in the afternoon. The senior amateurs in the field will only play one four-ball round, which will take place in the afternoon.

The Frank B.Fuhrer, Jr. Team representing the WPGA will be Jon Pratkanis, Kevin O’Brien, Darin Kowalski, Kevin Fajt, Tanner Johnson, Nathan Piatt, Sean Edgar, Willie Hoover, Amani D’Ambrosio, Austin Lemieux, Rob Stoops, Scott Kemmler, Bob Crnjarich and Arnold Cutrell.

Gates, Haynes claim top titles at Eighth Net Championship

September 3, 2024
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications

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CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP - Matthew Gates has a competitive drive. But it wasn’t until he saw a WPGA competition coming to his local course that he realized there was a way to scratch that itch.

Gates won the overall title at the 8th WPGA Net Championship at Cranberry Highlands Tuesday, posting 41 Stableford points to edge Robert Blumling, who also scored 41.

“This is the first tournament I’ve ever been in,” said Gates, a Cranberry native who frequently plays at Cranberry Highlands. “I love competing. I’ve been working on my game, and I wanted to compete.”

Gates recorded three Net birdies and a Net eagle on the front nine. He scored two more net birdies on the back, leading to a gross score of 73 that Net adjusted to 65, good for 41 Stableford points.

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