Gates, Haynes claim top titles at Eighth Net Championship
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • September 3, 2024
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.
“I wanted to see what I can do and where my game’s at,” he said. “And I shot the best round of my life today. The lowest score I’ve ever shot in a single round was today, in this round.”
Nancy Haynes won the 8th Women’s Net Championship with 36 Stableford points, also winning via tiebreaker over defending champion Davis Boyd.
Haynes scored an 81 that Net adjusted to 70. She birdied five holes, with four having been Net adjusted. Boyd also scored 36 points, while Wanda McGarry and Dorothy Lane posted 34 points.
On the men’s side, three flight winners were also crowned in the event, which is open to golfers with a Handicap Index® above 5.5 — allowing a variety of skill levels to participate in a competition.
Anthony Araujo won the Joseph Shea Flight with 38 points. Blumling claimed the Joseph Oliver Flight with a 41. Jim Roberts took the John Moorehead Jr. Flight with 39 points.
But it was Gates who emerged as the day’s big winner, securing the Richard Falchetti trophy just months after wondering if there was even an outlet for him to compete in a sanctioned golf event.
“I looked up what I could compete in, having a higher (Handicap Index®),” Gates said. “I found it to be great. I really enjoyed it and enjoyed being out here competing. I brought a friend to caddy for me today, so that was great, too, and I’m glad that was allowed.
“I am definitely going to come out again and play.”
A pair of local radio personalities participated in the Net Championship, as well. 93.7 The Fan host Chris Mueller posted 31 Stableford points, finishing 42nd overall. Making his competitive debut, Cale Berger of country station Y108 had 29 points to finish 51st in the 81-player field.
“It was a great day,” said Mueller. “The event’s great. We both competed. Some people are going to win, and some people aren’t. We were in that nice, meaty middle of the curve.
“Thanks to the WPGA. This is an awesome event every year. I’m glad for every chance I get to play in it.”
Berger, meanwhile, was happy to walk out of Cranberry Highlands with his head held high.
“We didn’t embarrass ourselves,” he said.
To see more content from Mueller and Berger’s round, check out the WPGA on Instagram here.
A leaderboard for the 8th WPGA Net and Women’s Net Championships can be found here. (GGID: 24WPGANET)
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.