Onufro, Morrissey make history in West Penn Golf Leadership
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • October 11, 2024
Carol Onufro received quite the birthday gift last Thursday at her home course, Sunnehanna Country Club. But it’s a gift that, she knows, comes with responsibility.
Onufro was elected the 105th President of the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association, succeeding Ken Flisek following a successful term leading the WPGA’s Board of Directors.
“There is such a tremendous, storied history in the last 125 years of the WPGA, and I see it as a privilege to play a part in helping continue the legacy of West Penn Golf,” said Onufro.
In doing so, Onufro became the second woman in the 125-year history of the WPGA to occupy the role, and she hopes that is something that resonates with female golfers in the region.
“I think the representation is important,” said Onufro. “A woman or girl sees that and thinks, ‘oh, she’s making sure there are competitions or opportunities for me because she’s in a leadership role. They’re making things happen for us.’”
Onufro has long served the region’s golf scene, occupying guiding positions in the Women’s Golf Association of Western Pennsylvania, the Sunnehanna Amateur and other ventures related to the game.
She also comes from a background in service, founding a non-profit in Johnstown, Pennsylvania that works primarily with at-risk youth and families in need.
“How can we reach young boys and girls who want to get into the game but maybe don’t have the means,” she asks. “Because I’m so involved with non-profit, I love the foundation aspect and raising funds so that we can help young people.”
As members of the executive committee, Onufro and newly elected Vice Present Mary Beth Morrissey have worked with the WPGA staff over the last two years to develop a strategic plan for the Association to provide a foundation for years to come.
“We need to let golfers know what West Penn is all about,” said Morrissey. “Course rating, the benefits of a Handicap Index®, Play Days, competitions and our foundation and Scholarship Fund. They need to know that there are a lot of services provided that come from West Penn. It’s important that we get that out because it’s healthy for us to include as many golfers as we can.”
Onufro and Morrissey made history with their elections, as they became the first female President-Vice President tandem in the 125-year history of the WPGA — a unique mark not only for their Allied Golf Association, but for Associations throughout the country.
“For years, the perception of West Penn Golf was that it was for men’s competitions because it was mostly led by men,” said Morrissey. “Women and lesser caliber playing men didn’t think that West Penn was for them. The biggest change we’re trying to make as an organization is letting every golfer in Western Pennsylvania that has a GHIN number know that there are opportunities.
“We want to get it out to the golf community that we are here for all of you, we’re here for everybody.”
Onufro plans to continue the strong tradition of men’s competitions in the region, but certainly hopes to bring women’s golf into more prominence.
“We want to see competition available for women, and to enhance that aspect,” says Onufro, who worked diligently to add the immensely successful Inaugural WPGA Women’s Triple Play this summer. “We want to reach women from public courses, private courses, those who aren’t even playing yet, and giving them opportunities to play.
“Mary Beth and I, we have ideas about improvement or expanding things. We’re both competitive. We want our Association in Western Pennsylvania to be the best that it can be.”
The pair also know that, in order to make WPGA events run, volunteerism is vital.
“Without volunteers, we’re not an organization,” said Morrissey. “The group of volunteers we have right now are unbelievably dedicated. We see the same people coming out tournament after tournament. We need to let people know that there are opportunities to volunteer. We want to make people want to come volunteer.”
Onufro desires to bring adaptive golf to Western Pennsylvania, part of her overall philosophy that the game can — and should — be available to anyone who has the desire to pick up a club.
It’s part of an internal bedrock of service she has within her, and one now that gets to extend to thousands of golfers throughout the region.
“Mary Beth and I have seen the fabric of amateur golf,” Onufro said. “We’ve seen the downturn, and now we see the potential. Both of us will respond to the needs of golfers and what they want.
“Leadership makes the passion grow, particularly when you see that you can have a hand in it. Through leadership, you can make things happen.”
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.