Fajt, Kowalski fend off weather to win Four-Ball in playoff
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • August 19, 2024
Kevin Fajt pronounces his last name like the word “fight.” And that’s a good way of describing what he had to do Monday.
The veteran amateur teamed up with Darin Kowalski to shoot 9-under and edge Willie Hoover and Scott Jordan in a one-hole playoff, capturing the 83rd WPGA Four-Ball Championship at Hannastown Golf Club.
“We had a lot of good looks and two-putts on almost every hole,” said Fajt. “We sort of hit a wall over the last eight holes, but were able to get in a playoff and get a win.”
To do so, however, Kowalski and Fajt — a member at Hannastown — had to deal with some rather bizarre weather conditions for the time of year.
Temperatures never reached 70 degrees over the 36-hole contest and, combined with a steady, whipping wind and sporadic rain, the feel on the golf course was more like October than August.
“I haven’t played the course like this since probably April,” said Fajt. “It was a little bit different. Plus, I got new irons two days ago. I didn’t tell Darin that until right now. I’m not sure that was the greatest decision, but we had fun.”
While the tandem played a relatively uneventful round — with a 65 score in the first round and a 66 in the second round — they also failed to create separation down the stretch, opening the door for Hoover and Scott, who nearly buried a long chip for the win on the 18th green.
“It was nice that it was a stress-free, bogey-free round of golf,” said Kowalski, who won the event with Erik Bertrand in 2016. “We wanted to get two looks at every hole. We made no bogeys, but we played our last eight holes at even par. So, we deserved a playoff as a result.”
Kowalski, however, knocked in a birdie putt on the first playoff hole to secure the win. And it was a cathartic experience for both men.
Fajt was in the mix heading into the final round of the West Penn Open last month, and both players have been very competitive in numerous amateur events over the years.
“It does feel good to win” said Fajt. “Darin’s got three runner-ups in the West Penn Amateur. I’ve had my fair share of runner-ups in the last couple of years. It’s finally nice to get a win. I’m happy.”
The matchup wasn’t just beneficial for Monday — or at least Fajt and Kowalski hope. They’re playing together in the U.S. Four-Ball Qualifying Round in October at Totteridge.
“We wanted to knock some cobwebs off,” said Kowalski, who plays out of South Hills Country Club. “But my buddy Kevin here, we’ve been friends for a long time, and this is his home course. So, we figured it was a good opportunity to get acquainted as partners.”
After Hoover and Jordan — former teammates at Longwood — Derek Hayes and Thomas Facciani placed third. Garrett Schlick and Jacob Marquardt, Evan Rowan and Patrick Kelly, Garrett Browning and Dan Maier and Troy Loughry and Alan Tarolli tied for fourth.
But the day belonged to Fajt and Kowalski, who now turn their attention back towards facing each other on the golf course for the next few weeks before taking on the region’s best as teammates again.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Kowalski of pairing up with Fajt. “We’re used to trying to beat each other’s head in all year round. We’ve been playing competitive golf against each other for years and years.
“The one time a year that we can come together and be partners, I look forward to it… Hopefully this is the beginning of a new partnership."
A live leaderboard for the 83rd WPGA Four-Ball Championship can be found here (GGID: 24WPGA4BALL).
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.