Local radio host Mueller claims Ninth WPGA Net Championship
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • September 24, 2025
Chris Mueller spends most of his days talking about the athletic exploits of Pittsburgh’s top athletes, as they strive to bring home championships in their respective sports.
On Tuesday, Mueller — who quite openly does not label himself an elite athlete — was able to get a taste of the fulfillment that comes with winning a title.
The 93.7 The Fan sports talk radio show host posted a Stableford score of 38, narrowly claiming the Richard Falchetti Trophy as the overall winner of the Ninth WPGA Net Championship at Chartiers Country Club.
“There’s a lot of emotion,” said Mueller, who shot a round of 78, net adjusted to 68. “I’m almost embarrassed to say that, but this is the most serious golf tournament I think I’ve ever really competed in.
“It’s definitely the biggest event on my golf calendar every year. This is number one. I always prioritize the U.S. Open as the biggest tournament in golf and, yeah, this is my U.S. Open.”
The Net Championship is designed for players like Mueller — a 40-year-old with a wife, two children and a busy full-time job — who still want to compete even if their ability to practice and play regularly is limited.
Mueller, who co-hosts the PM Team Show daily, as well as 93.7 The Fan’s Going Low golf show on Saturday mornings, was the first player to tee off Tuesday. He battled challenging weather conditions with intervals of rain and mist sweeping through the hilly landscape of Chartiers Country Club.
“It rained a lot last night and it rained most of my time on the course today,” he said. “But you wouldn't have known it. The greens were unbelievably true. Everything was pristine. The course held water beautifully.”
Mueller, with the help of Audacy Pittsburgh’s Ben Tenuta, filmed social media content during his round for Going Low’s channels and brought along Hickory Heights golf professional Shawn McCall as his caddy.
“Having Shawn come was kind of like a fun, content-oriented bit at first, but I knew he would help me,” said Mueller. “We thought ‘I might play well, but I'm probably not going to win. So, we'll bust each other's chops and make some jokes.’ But having him out there just reassured me.”
With his score of 38 posted early in the championship, Mueller watched the leaderboard throughout the day — even as he hosted his afternoon radio show — with nervous anticipation that he may be victorious.
“One huge advantage for me was going out early,” said Mueller, who felt like his distance and control off the tee was his biggest strength. “Even though it was misty, I was prepared for the weather. I didn't look at my score, and I had no idea how many points I had until the round was done. If I had been in a position to try to chase down somebody's 38 late, I cannot say for sure it would have gone as well as it did.
“It was the first round I've ever played without a double (bogey), first round where I really didn't check the board. Plus, I’m playing really well right now. I'm happy with how I'm playing.”
Several other players made runs at the Falchetti trophy, named for former WPGA president Richard Falchetti, who had a high expertise in handicapping and course rating and chaired both committees for several years while designing the course rating spreadsheets still used by the WPGA today.
Jarod Hartman, Dave Bryant, Jeffrey Jeglinski and Marcy Smorey all posted scored of 37, with opportunities to surpass Mueller’s score. All, however, were unable to score the necessary points late, as Mueller held on.
With four flights representing different Handicap Index® associated skill levels, the four top finishers behind Mueller also walked away with hardware. Hartman won the John Moorhead Jr. Flight, Jeglinski took the Jospeh Oliver Flight, Bryant secured the Jospeh Shea Flight and Smorey claimed the Jeannette Nicholson Price Flight as the tournament’s top female player.
“Regardless of what level you are as a golfer, you love to compete,” said Mueller, who thanked his wife, Alex, for being so accommodating to his golf habit. “That's why the handicap system even exists, because you can go play your buddies.
“It’s very cool to know that you don't have to be somebody who's maybe spending 20 hours per week on your game. You can be somebody who works a regular job, has kids, has a spouse, has responsibilities, and you get out when you can get out. This is an opportunity, at least once every year, to go and test yourself against people who are in a similar situation.
“I really cannot speak highly enough of the fact that the WPGA sees fit to have this event and treats it just like every other event.”
Final results for the Ninth WPGA Net and Women’s Net Championships can be found here. (GGID: 25WPGANET)
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.