Preview: Brand, Semple Foursomes return to Allegheny Monday
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • May 18, 2025
SEWICKLEY — A pair of historic WPGA team competitions will begin the week, with a new — and yet familiar — host site for the 2025 edition of the event.
The 71st WPGA Fred Brand Foursomes Championship and 30th Semple Century Foursomes Championship will start at 8 a.m. Monday morning at Allegheny Country Club.
Since the event was founded by Jack and Fred Brand, Jr. in 1954 in honor of their father, Fred Brand, Sr., the Fred Brand Foursomes Championship has been a popular early season challenge for local golfers.
This year, the event returns to its roots at Allegheny Country Club.
The long-running competitions have been held at Longue Vue Club since 1983. However, due to course construction, the event will be played at Allegheny Country Club, where it was contested from 1954-1981.
A year ago, former college teammates and roommates Jack Urban and Zander Gibson shot a 2-under score of 138 to claim their first victory in the competition.
Over the years, one duo has dominated the Brand. Sean Knapp and Jeff Schroeder have won the event a record eight times. Knapp has also won seven other times with Steve Fuhrer and Nathan Smith.
The WPGA Semple Century Foursomes Championship — named in honor of Bud and Dick Semple of Allegheny — has coincided with the Fred Brand Foursomes Championship since 1996.
The Semple Century Foursomes is for players over 50 years of age and older, and is of the same format as the Fred Brand — 36 holes of foursomes stroke play, also known as Alternate Shot.
Last year, long-time friends Arnold Cutrell and Jeff Hovanec teamed up to win the Semple Foursomes with a 4-over score of 144. For Cutrell, it was his fourth time winning the Semple. He has also claimed three wins in the Brand Foursomes.
For starting times and a live leaderboard, please click here. (GGID: 25WPGAFOURSOMES)
For any 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 nearly 37,000 members. The WPGA conducts 14 individual competitions and 10 team events, and administers the WPGA Scholarship Fund and Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame.