Three Western Pennsylvania golfers will he headed east to play in the 126th U.S. Amateur in a week.

Matt Vogt, a practicing dentist from Indianapolis and Seneca Valley graduate, 2020 Fox Chapel grad Matt Mattioli and 2021 Frankin Regional grad Chuck Tragesser qualified to compete in the prestigious tournament.

The field of 312 will compete in a two-day, 36-hole stroke play qualifier Aug. 10 and 11 to determine the field of 64 who will play in the match-play portion of the tournament.

Vogt qualified by winning the Indiana State Amateur with a 17-under-par total, setting a 54-hole scoring record.

Vogt said he hit a dream shot on the final hole when he hit a 5-iron 224 yards for a tying birdie. He birdied the playoff hole to clinch the victory and a berth in the U.S. Amateur.

Vogt played in the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, a place he used to be a caddie at when he was in college.

Mattioli and Tragesser played in the Pennsylvania Golf Association’s State Amateur this past week at Oakmont. Both played all 54 holes with Mattioli, 24, finishing sixth (6-over, 219) and Tragesser, 23, tied for 19th (12-over, 225).

Both said playing Oakmont will prepare them for the Amateur at Merion Club’s Eastern Course and the Philadelphia Country Club.

“I had a fun week,” Mattioli said about playing at Oakmont. “Obviously, very tough. The golf course is as good as you are ever going to get. This was a great venue.”

Mattioli, who recently graduated from Miami (Ohio), played in the 2024 U.S. Amateur but did not advance to match play.

“Getting a chance to play in the U.S. Amateur is why I did not turn pro this summer,” Mattioli said. “The big goal is to make the U.S. Amateur and watching how Neal Shipley’s career exploded after his success in the event.

“It is a great opportunity to jump-start your professional career if you have a good run.”

Mattioli said he has played Merion before, and he said it resembles Oakmont.

“You really have to think about every shot,” Mattioli said. “This place, especially how the wind was blowing (Wednesday), this is as good of preparation you can ask for. Pennsylvania has some of the best amateur players in the country.”

This is the first time that Tragesser had qualified for the U.S. Amateur, and he is excited about the opportunity.

“I am super excited,” Tragesser said. “It is great that it is at Merion, and it is a short drive away. There is a lot of great history there.”

Tragesser said he remembers when Mark Goetz (Hannastown Golf and Greensburg native) was the medalist.

“The goal is to get to match play and see what happens,” said the Robert Morris senior. “My putting was great at the qualifier in Philadelphia. It is the reason I advanced.

“Oakmont is a great test, and I am sure it will prepare me for Merion. I was a great introduction.”

United States Golf Association

U.S. Amateur Championship

Where: Merion Golf Club and Philadelphia Country Club

When: Aug. 10 thru 16

Field: 312

Entries: 5,111

This and that: Mason Howell is the returning 2025 champion. … Matt Vogt (Seneca Valley) qualified for winning the Indiana State Amateur. … The late Arnold Palmer won in 1954, Jack Nicklaus (1959 and 1961), Bryson DeChambeau (2015) and Bob Jones (1924, 1925, 1927, 1928 and 1930).