Stopperich pulls off massive comeback to take West Penn Open
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • July 24, 2024
INDIANA, PA — Alec Stopperich had two different phone calls with his father following the completion of his round Wednesday at Indiana Country Club.
The first was full of optimism but had some uncertainty. The second was full of joy.
Stopperich fired off one of the best single rounds in West Penn Open history, claiming the title with an overall score of 10-under to win the three-day tournament by a stroke.
“It’s an honor to be on this trophy with all of these great players,” said Stopperich, who finished runner-up to Neal Shipley in the WPGA Open two years ago. “The West Penn has always produced phenomenal golfers and this list (of winners) has a lot of really good ones on there. I’m really proud to add my name to this trophy.”
The Venetia, Pa. native and Peters Township grad rallied from six strokes down by posting a tournament-best round of 63, navigating the challenging terrain in Indiana.
“I knew six back was going to be a tall task no matter what,” said Stopperich, who is currently a professional currently playing without status. “Especially against players like Mike (VanSickle), Dan (Obremski) and Jake (Sollon). It was going to be a tough battle to make any noise.”
Following his first two holes Wednesday, Stopperich’s chances at a comeback seemed even tougher.
“I was 1-over through two,” he said. “But then I rattled off three birdies in a row and was like, ‘alright, I’m feeling a little better here.’”
Then, Stopperich did it again, posting an impressive score of 31 through the front nine holes and vaulting himself into the top of the leaderboard around noon.
“I figured I had to be somewhat in the mix,” said Stopperich, who played collegiately at Samford and Memphis. “I didn’t look at the board. I asked my caddie after nine what was going on and all he said was, ‘you’re one back.’
“I just played my game and let it take care of itself. Fortunately, it worked out this time.”
Stopperich — the WPGA Open’s Low Amateur in 2019 — drained a 30-foot putt on the Par 3 17th. He also birdied the final hole for a 32 on the back nine.
The clutch putts helped the 26-year-old edge fellow pros Mike VanSickle and Jake Sollon — his best friend since childhood.
“We go way back,” Stopperich said. “We’re always competing against each other. We’ve actually lived together in Florida the last couple of years and we’ve always talked about something like this happening.”
Solon nearly sent the two pals into a playoff for the championship, but was unable to drop in a birdie putt on 18.
Stopperich then hopped on a phone call with his father while he waited for VanSickle to attempt a match-tying, 30-foot birdie putt from above the hole. But the champion never even saw that putt.
“I was on the phone with my dad and didn’t think he would’ve putted by then,” said Stopperich, with a laugh. “When I came around the corner, I saw a ball just right of the hole. It was pretty close. I saw Mike walking up there and was like, ‘alright, now I can celebrate a little bit.’”
It was a celebration well earned, and one that capped the largest multi-round tournament rally in any WPGA competition this season.
“This is probably number one,” Stopperich said of where Wednesday’s round ranks for him personally. “I’ve played some pretty good rounds at professional tournaments. But to be six back at the West Penn Open, shoot a 63 and win it all, that’s pretty special. It’s going to be number one, for now.”
For a full leaderboard, click here(GGID: 24WPGAOPEN).
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 34,000 members. The WPGA conducts 14 individual competitions and 10 team events, and administers the WPGA Scholarship Fund and Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame.