Kittsley’s strong year continues at U.S. Junior Qualifying
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • June 3, 2025
GREENSBURG – The last year has been pretty good for Carson Kittsley. And it’s about to get even better.
The rising junior at Fox Chapel High School shot a 2-under score of 70, qualifying for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship in Monday’s qualifying round at Totteridge Golf Course.
“I just played my own game and tried to stay calm and patient,” said Kittsley. “I let what happens happen and not get too mad about it. I just played my game out there.”
Kittsely maneuvered around the hilly layout of the Greensburg course with little difficulties, carding just two bogeys in the round. But one did come on his final hole, leading to some uneasiness as he climbed the hill towards the scoring area in Totteridge’s clubhouse.
“I didn’t look at the leaderboard all day,” he said. “I was a little nervous coming into 18. I missed the green left and figured if I got it up and down I would be in a good spot, so it made me a little nervous when I didn’t get that up and down. But it ended up being alright and I am happy it did."
An Oakmont Country Club member, Kittsley made waves in October, winning the 2024 PIAA Class 3A State Championship in State College.
Then, in May, he secured a spot in the 125th WPGA Amateur Championship with a 5-under performance in a qualifying round at Greensburg Country Club.
“I’ve been working on my game and practicing hard,” added Kittsley, who is two weeks away from being able to be contacted by college coaches as a recruit. “Putting all those hours is definitely starting to pay off, which is a good sign. I hope I keep accelerating.”
University of North Carolina recruit Mack Edwards was the round’s low scorer, shooting 3-under, earning a return trip to the 77th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, which will be held July 21-26 at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas, Texas.
“I was fortunate enough to play the US Junior last year at Oakland Hills,” said Edwards, a Charlotte, North Carolina native who finished stroke play at Oakland Hills in a three-way tie and was the fifth seed in match play. “It was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had. I had a blast the first four days and I was fortunate enough to make it to match play.
“It was kind of a curse to be so high seeded, and I got stomped on my first match. My caddy from last year is going to go with me again. He’s part of our family, so I am pumped to give him a call. We’re going to go give it another run.”
Edwards, 18, sunk a birdie putt on the 18th hole to move past Kittsley for the top position.
“I don’t like looking (at the leaderboard),” said Edwards, a Charlotte, North Carolina native. “I just stepped up on that tee and had a window to hit it through and I picked a good line. I committed, hit a good tee shot.
“I had 123 (yards) in. I told myself I am not going to look at the leaderboard until 18. I did and saw I was at T-1. I thought, ‘par is ok but let’s give this thing a go.’ I hit a 53 (degree) and it zipped back a little bit to the front fringe. It was a pretty straight putt, I played it inside left and it looped in. It was pretty nice.”
Getting his first look at the Western Pennsylvania course, Edwards found a way to scratch out a strong round against a tough field.
“I loved the course,” he said “It’s fairly open and the greens make you have to be very confident with your stroke. It’s easy for those putts to wobble. It fits my ball striking well and going out here hitting fairways and avoiding the rough is going to put you in a good spot. I was fortunate to be able to putt it pretty well today for the most part.”
In a playoff, Jackson Ormond of New York clinched the final qualifying spot. Ormond shot 1-under and topped James Spallone in the fourth playoff hole. Spallone and Danny Wehle earned alternate positions.
It was the second straight year in which a Western Pennsylvania claimed at least a share of the low scoring honors at the U.S. Junior Qualifying round, as West Virginia freshman Nick Turowski broke through last year at Quicksilver Golf Club.
And next, the trio of Edwards, Kittsley and Spallone will attempt to win a national junior championship in Texas. For Edwards, it’s a shot at redemption. For Kittsley and Spallone, it’s a first look at the top junior event in the nation.
“I am very excited,” Kittsley said. “This should be a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to testing my game against some of the top juniors in the world.”
For final results, please click here. (GGID: 25USJRAMQ)
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.