Cutrell’s take WPGA Father & Son while Shipley’s claim Parent & Child
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • June 23, 2025
SEWICKLEY — Chris Shipley was able to relive a childhood memory Monday. And he was able to do it surrounded by family.
Shipley teamed up with his son, Patrick, to win the 13th WPGA Parent & Child Tournament at Diamond Run Golf Club, spending the day in a playing group that also included his father, Calvin, and brother, Matthew, who formed a duo in the long-running WPGA family competition.
“It’s a full circle moment,” said Chris Shipley. “My dad and I won the Net division 30 years ago, in 1995. My brother lives in Michigan but was in for the weekend. So, he could play with my dad, and I could play with my son.
“It was really cool to be able to do that. It was special. Really special.”
The Ohio Township natives shot a gross score of 91 — Net adjusted to 63 — to claim the title.
“It was awesome because he just started getting into golf, said Chris of Patrick, 13. “He’s been playing baseball, but got into golf two or three years ago. To see it get to a point where we can do stuff like this is awesome.”
Arnold Cutrell and his son, Arnold, claimed the 101st WPGA Father & Son Tournament, carding a 7-under gross score of 64.
For Cutrell, who has won numerous WPGA competitions over multiple decades, it was a first-time victory in the Chapman format event.
“We played before when he was a junior, in the West Penn Father & Son and the state Father & Son,” said the elder Cutrell.” He moved away and worked in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Now he’s back, working remotely... He’s tuned up his golf game and we’re playing in as much stuff as we can.”
In the Father & Son Tournament, Trent and Chuck Meyers finished second at 5-under, while Gregor and Gregor Meyer placed third at 4-under.
The Parent & Child Tournament saw John and Samuel Rush end up second at 7-under, while Brian and Joshua Kane, and Mark and John Funkhouser, tied for third.
With an afternoon shotgun start to the competition, all groups battled the extreme heat being experienced by Western Pennsylvania this week.
“Yeah, it was hot,” said Chris Shipley with a laugh. “It was a grind. You couldn’t keep enough water in. You get to certain points and you’re dripping. But you just have to power through.”
Temperatures peaked around 97 degrees, with limited clouds for relief.
“We drank a lot of water,” said the younger Cutrell. “I think we counted 12 bottles in our cart. It was hot, but it didn’t seem to get to us too much. We stayed hydrated."
On top of that, the layout of Diamond Run provided an extra challenge to go with the sun-soaked day.
“This golf course is difficult,” Chris Shipley said. “It’s long. There’s a lot of holes where you’ve got to hit it in the right spot. And the Par 3’s are difficult. The greens are quick, especially downhill. It’s a tough golf course, but a good golf course, a fun golf course.”
For both winning groups, beyond the competition, the chance to teach and learn from each other made the day enjoyable.
“My dad’s taught me a lot,” the younger Cutrell said of his father, who also won the WPGA’s first Senior Series event this year. “I’ve watched him play and he’s always keeping his composure. That’s one of the biggest things.”
And, ultimately, getting to spend valuable time in one of the WPGA’s most popular championships — given its family-based nature — led to a successful tournament on the steamy day.
“This gets written in our calendar the second the WPGA sends out the schedule,” said Chris Shipley. “We haven’t missed this event very much in 30 years. It’s a great event."
To see the groups, starting times and a live leaderboard for the Father & Son and Parent & Child Tournaments, please click here. (GGID: 25WPGAFSPC)
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.