Ferguson Township
A State College golfer gripped the brim of his hat in disbelief, while his group partner stood motionless on the green Wednesday evening after his putt to force a third playoff hole went inches wide left.
The State College boys golf team placed second for the second straight year in the single-day PIAA Class 3A team championships at Penn State’s White Course, falling to La Salle College High School in a playoff after surrendering a four-stroke lead in the final five holes and a one-stroke advantage on the first playoff hole.
Even though the emotional loss led to tears and flushed faces, the Little Lions are proud of their season, one where they went undefeated up until the state championship and shot a whopping minus-eight on Wednesday.
“Of course, I’m a little disappointed, but it’s really hard to be disappointed,” senior Luke McGraw said Wednesday evening. “I’m so proud of the guys. We played great all season. We played great today. Just fell a little short. I mean, there’s obviously things that could have gone our way out there. A few putts could have dropped, but I’m really proud of our guys.
“I’m really happy how we fought. We didn’t give up. We gave a great fight. That was a great team. Two really good teams out there. I’m just super, super happy with how we played all season, and sure, we did lose today, but it doesn’t really feel like a loss.”
State College’s Luke McGraw tees off on the first hole of the playoff for the PIAA Golf Team Championships on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026 at the Penn State Golf Course. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Wednesday was about as pressure-filled a golf match could get. Again, La Salle rallied back from a substantial four-stroke deficit thanks to golfer Liam Littleton, with each drive, chip and putt for five holes potentially deciding the championship.
Littleton, the last golfer to go Wednesday, erased State College’s lead after shooting a birdie on Hole 17. He then shot par on the final hole in regulation to force a playoff, just missing wide right on a putt with a chance to win, which drew audible gasps from the crowd.
The playoff was about as nail-biting as you’d expect. Two groups of four golfers (two from each team) faced each other, where whoever won the next hole took home the championship. The Little Lions initial unit struck first, taking a one-stroke advantage. However, the Explorers answered in the second group to force another hole.
State College golf team cheers on their teammates during the playoff for the PIAA Golf Team Championships on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026 at the Penn State Golf Course. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
La Salle quickly took the advantage on the second hole, as its initial group grabbed its first lead of the playoff, giving the second unit a one-stroke edge. Despite two impressive drives and chips, State College couldn’t bury its putts, with both golfers shooting par and sending the La Salle team berserk, while members of the golf team stood motionless, collecting their thoughts.
“I think the guys probably feel it more than the coaches do,” coach Greg Wilson said. “They played phenomenal all season long, and as I told them, their only loss this entire season was in a two-hole playoff by one stroke. What more can you ask for? It was an incredible run. Knew them since they were young kids all the way through their senior year. They stuck together. They worked hard. Nothing but pride.”
State College boys golf coach Greg Wilson talks to his players after they finished second in the PIAA Golf Team Championships on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026 at the Penn State Golf Course. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Wednesday was the team’s sixth straight year State College qualified for the team race. The Little Lions won in 2021 before four top-five finishes — including second place last season.
McGraw anchored the State College golf team in the championship, shooting a team-best 7-under 65. His teammates, all seniors, played well, too, with Charlie Ladrido (69), Jacky Sun (71) and Luke Ladrido (75) recording respective performances.
State College’s Charlie Ladrido chips on the second hole of the playoff for the PIAA Golf Team Championships on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026 at the Penn State Golf Course. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Regardless of the result, the Little Lions were thrilled to see the crowd it drew. At least 100 fans were in attendance to watch them, and McGraw couldn’t have been more grateful.
“It’s so cool to have everyone come out and support you,” he said. “I kind of tune all the crowd out and just focus on my process really, just see what I can do to create the best outcome, and so I don’t really focus on the crowd that much. I think it’s awesome, though, that so many people came out to support us, and I thought it was really cool and pretty unique. There’s not many times I can say I’ve had hundreds of people come out and watch me play golf.”
State College’s Jacky Sun tees off on the first hole of the playoff for the PIAA Golf Team Championships on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026 at the Penn State Golf Course. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
McGraw said after his match that last year’s second-place finish fueled the team all season, leading the group to work harder and put in plenty of extra hours of effort.
And for Wednesday to come down to a two-hole playoff, he hopes it’ll motivate the juniors, sophomores and freshmen on the team that watched.
“I feel like I’m OK ending my high school golf season and career right there,” McGraw said. “I feel like we left a good impact on the program, left the younger guys a little hungry, and gave the program in a good spot.”
State College’s Jacky Sun and Luke Ladrido fist bump after the second hole of the playoff for the PIAA Golf Team Championships on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026 at the Penn State Golf Course. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com 
State College’s Charlie Ladrido tees off on the first hole of the playoff for the PIAA Golf Team Championships on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026 at the Penn State Golf Course. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com 
State College’s Luke Ladrido tees off the second hole of the playoff for the PIAA Golf Team Championships on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026 at the Penn State Golf Course. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
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Chase Fisher is a fall sports intern with the Centre Daily Times. He is currently studying finance with a minor in journalism. You can find his work at Penn State on SI and The Daily Collegian as a football and men’s hockey reporter.