Turowski impresses at U.S. Junior Amateur qualifying round
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • June 3, 2024
MIDWAY — Nick Turowski’s busy summer just got a little busier.
Turowski, a fresh graduate of Penn-Trafford High School, will play in the USGA’s U.S. Junior Championship in late July thanks to a commanding performance Monday at Quicksilver Golf Club in the Sectional Qualifying round.
The West Virginia recruit shot a 7-under 65, earning the top qualifying position among a field of over 70 contestants.
“I just came off three straight days playing in the Kenridge Invitational in Virginia,” said Turowski. “I played really good there, but I wasn’t putting great. I was hitting the ball probably the best I’ve ever hit it in my life.
“I came to this course with that same attitude of, ‘you know how well you’re hitting it and to just keep giving yourself chances and chances and chances.’”
Early on, Turowski could feel the swings working the way he hoped, but the putter again wasn’t cooperating.
“On holes one, two and three, I hit drives down the fairway each time and wedged it to within six feet on each one,” he said. “But I missed every single (putt). I was extremely frustrated and was losing patience. I knew that if I kept hitting it the way that I was, they were just bound to fall.”
And they did. After puting up pars on the first six holes, Turowski birdied seven of the next 11 holes. That, however, was due in large part to his ball striking.
“I kept hitting it a little bit closer, and those six-footers turned into three-footers that I was tapping in, instead of having to make them,” he said.
Turowski, who graduated from high school on May 25, was a decorated player at Penn-Trafford, finishing second in the PIAA Class 3A Championship in October. He won two WPIAL titles with the Warriors, as well.
Of course, Turowski did have an advantage by playing in his home region compared to some of the rest of the field, which included players from Texas, Canada and even one player from Indiana.
But his familiarity with Quicksilver was limited.
“I’ve played here once — a practice round earlier this year — and it was a torrential downpour,” he said following the round in far different, 70-plus degree and sunny conditions. “It was a completely different course that I played today.”
The U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, which takes place July 22-27 at Oakland Hills Country Club in Michigan, will be just a piece of Turowski’s upcoming schedule, albeit a big one.
“My schedule consists of over 20 tournaments this summer,” he said. “The West Penn Am, I’m going to try to qualify for the West Penn Open and the PA Open. Tomorrow, I’m playing in an AJGA event in Ohio. So this is seven straight days of tournament golf for me.”
He credits a newfound commitment to his conditioning regiment — including his work with Tyler Zimmer, a local strength coach.
“A big, big thing for me is what I do in the gym,” said Turowski, who likes to work in some fishing in his rare free time. “Working out while I golf is something that’s helped me tremendously. It’s helped me stay fresh.
“I used to get fatigued on the golf course, but now I feel like I can play 54 holes in a day.”
Once that busy summer ends, however, Turowski will go right into college golf in Morgantown, with hopes of contributing to the Mountaineers right away.
“I’m really excited,” he said. “They just made it to the National Championships for the first time in program history. Two other kids coming in are amazing players. I’m excited to be part of a team.
“I just hope that I can continue my play.”
Qualifying with Turowski was Cramerton, North Carolina native Rich Wills, who shot 5-under, and Tommy Sharps of Baltimore, Maryland, who went 4-under and birdied the 18th hole to avoid being in the playoff for the final qualifying positions.
In the playoff, Richmond, Kentucky’s Warren Thomis secured the final qualifying spot, while CJ Scohy (Bellbrook, Ohio) and Luke McGraw (Boalsburg, Pennsylvania) secured alternate positions.
Click here for the Live Leaderboard.
For media inquiries, please contact WPGA Director of Communications Josh Rowntree.
About the WPGA
Founded in 1899, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association is the steward of amateur golf in the region. Started by five Member Clubs, the association now has nearly 200 Member Clubs and nearly 37,000 members. The WPGA conducts 14 individual competitions and 10 team events, and administers the WPGA Scholarship Fund and Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame.