84th Sunnehanna Amateur begins
By Mike Dudurich, Contributing Writer • June 11, 2025
WESTMONT -- For years, 84 to be exact, the Sunnehanna Amateur has been contested high in the Allegheny mountains in a Johnstown suburb as one of the premier events on the national amateur calendar.
This is the weekend for that annual gathering of golfers, many of who have aspirations of taking their games pro eventually. But even for the ones who don't entertain a professional career, continuing an elite amateur existence is still a very popular pursuit.
The first shot was struck at 8 this morning and it will feature an overall younger field thanks to a changing landscape on the college golf front and the recently announced NIL deal in which many college athletes will get paid something.
Five WPGA golfers are in the field with some high-quality competitions and results to match. It will be the first appearance for David Fuhrer and Nick Turkoswki, ramping up the excitement level for them considerably.
Salvitti's first appearance was last year and while his scores weren't what he was looking for, he was overwhelmingly devastated.
"Hey, it's the biggest amateur tournament in the state," he said. "This a course that you have to stay patient on. The greens are the defense, of course. I tired to do that. I made 17 in a row and then finished with a birdie. Obviously, I'd like to do better."
J.F. Aber joins Salvitti as a Sunnehanna second-timer and is grateful to be back.
"I was happy to make the cut and get into the field," he said. "I feel like I'm so much better than last year and I feel like i'm better than I was."
A cool sidebar for Aber is that he's staying in the home of former long-time Sunnehanna Country Club pro, Joe Shorto.
"It's been awesome. Mr. Shorto tells some great stories," Aber said.
The tournament will conclude, weather-permitting, Saturday afternoon.
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.