Inaugural Women's Triple Play a successful new format in West Penn schedule
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • August 19, 2024
When the WPGA decided to add another women’s golf competition to its schedule in 2024, Carol Onufro wasn’t entirely sure what the participation would look like.
Needless to say, she was more than delighted with it Monday.
Pam Lamagna, Rebecca Winek, Jackie McKinney and Bridget Minnock were the champions of the Inaugural WPGA Women’s Triple Play at Grove City Country Club, shooting a net adjusted 8-under score of 129 — a three-stroke victory.
Onufro was part of the top foursome in the gross division. She teamed up with Mary Beth Morrissey, Annie Vanzant and amateur golf legend Carol Semple-Thompson to shoot 11-over.
But to Onufro, watching the rest of the field was far more enjoyable than the result.
“We dreamed of getting women from all over, women of all of Handicap Indexes, from private clubs and public links, to play in this event,” said Onufro, who is also the Vice President of the WPGA’s Board of Directors. “I think we accomplished that today.
“It was a really nice mix of women and they were so thrilled that West Penn put this on.”
In all, 80 players took part in the competition.
“To have 80 participants for a first-time event like that, I thought, was really good,” said Onufro. “Everyone got tee favors, and that was so unexpected for them. They were very grateful for that. And they loved the format. It was all good feedback.”
Players had to fight through some odd conditions for mid-August. Temperatures didn’t reach 70 degrees and rain came and went throughout the afternoon.
“The course was in great shape and it’s a fun course to play,” said Onufro. “But it was misty, a little cold and windy. And it became gusty. The conditions kept changing and it was challenging. The course tested our skills.”
Onufro was instrumental in the creation and development of the Women’s Triple Play. She will take over as the President of the WPGA’s Board of Directors this fall, becoming the second female President in the Association’s 125-year history.
“This is great, in West Penn’s 125th anniversary year, a theme has been getting back to our roots,” said Onufro, who has been heavily involved in the Women's Golf Association of Western Pennsylvania for years. “One of the ways that we’re getting back to our roots is by providing more competitions for women.
“We wanted to provide competitions for women all over. It didn’t matter what kind of course you play at or what kind of player you are, you could get in on this.”
Rebecca Matscherz, Tiffany Reed, Kelley Wasicek and Marcy Smorey placed second in the Net division, scoring 5-under.
Stephanie Dewar, Mallory Hodge, Sharon Nelson and Lindsay Sera finished second in the Gross division, combining to shoot 12-over.
A live leaderboard for the Inaugural WPGA Women’s Triple Play can be found here. (GGID: 24WPGATRIPLEPLAY)
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.