{"id":287486,"date":"2025-11-12T17:34:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T17:34:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/287486\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T17:34:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T17:34:16","slug":"local-junior-golfers-selected-for-state-developmental-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/287486\/","title":{"rendered":"Local junior golfers selected for state developmental team"},"content":{"rendered":"

By: Bill Beckner Jr.<\/a><\/p>\n

Tuesday, November 11, 2025 | 10:28 PM<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChristopher Horner | TribLive Christopher Horner | TribLive \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Fox Chapel\u2019s Carson Kittsley watches his putt on number 14 during the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, at Butler Country Club.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChristopher Horner | TribLive \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Forward\u2019s Mya Morgan watches her tee shot on No. 13 during the WPIAL Class 3A girls golf championship on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, at Sewickley Heights Golf Club.<\/p>\n

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There is a new junior golf development program in Pennsylvania and some of the area\u2019s top rising players will be a part of it.<\/p>\n

Twelve boys and 12 girls were selected to the inaugural Team Pennsylvania, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association announced Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The program (ages 13-18) is geared toward opening doors for aspiring pro and college talent, through opportunistic and financial and means.<\/p>\n

Most of the players were chosen through a point-based system, while eight others were picked by a committee.<\/p>\n

What are the benefits of making the team?<\/p>\n

The U.S. National Development Program, which identifies the players, vows to \u201cidentify, train, develop, fund and support the nation\u2019s most talented junior players.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the reasons the USGA formed the developmental program was because golf was the only major U.S. sport in the Olympics that did not have a national player development program and \u201ca clear pathway to elite competition.\u201d<\/p>\n

The top two boys in the points standings will earn an exemption into the 2026 Sunnehanna Amateur at Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown.<\/p>\n

Player benefits may also include promotion on the USNDP website and social media, exemptions into AJGA tournaments, coaching and other resources.<\/p>\n

Among the players selected are two-time PIAA champions Carson Kittsley of Fox Chapel and Mya Morgan of Elizabeth Forward, Jack Sacriponte of Latrobe, Michael Quallich of Baldwin, two-time WPIAL champion Alyssa Zhang of Shady Side Academy, and others.<\/p>\n

Scott Nye, who is Merion Golf Club\u2019s Director of Championships, is the captain of Team Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n

Here are all the Team Pennsylvania members for 2026, with their hometown, graduating class and club affiliation:<\/p>\n

Boys<\/p>\n

Charlie Barrickman, West Chester, 2026, Radley Run Country Club<\/p>\n

Sean Curran, Newtown Square, 2026, Merion Golf Club<\/p>\n

Bailey Donahue, Pittsburgh, 2028, Oakmont Country Club<\/p>\n

Carson Kittsley, Pittsburgh, 2027, Oakmont Country Club<\/p>\n

Colby Komancheck, Royersford, 2027, RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve<\/p>\n

Ian Larsen, Glenmoore, 2027, Honeybrook Golf Club<\/p>\n

Luke McGraw, Boalsburg, 2027, Toftrees Golf Resort<\/p>\n

Nicky Nemo, Bryn Mawr, 2026, Merion Golf Club<\/p>\n

Michael Quallich, Pittsburgh, 2027, South Hills Country Club<\/p>\n

Jack Sacriponte, Greensburg, 2026, Hannastown Golf Club<\/p>\n

Nico Ward, Coraopolis, 2028, Montour Heights Country Club<\/p>\n

Chase Yenser, Douglassville, 2026, Reading Country Club<\/p>\n

Girls<\/p>\n

Ellie Benson, Venetia, 2026, Valley Brook Country Club<\/p>\n

Kiersten Bodge, West Chester, 2027, Overbrook Golf Club<\/p>\n

Jillian Burks, Paoli, 2027, White Manor Country Club<\/p>\n

Alaina Carson, Broomall, 2028, Youth on Course<\/p>\n

Cora Hirz, Fairview, 2026, Lake Shore Country Club<\/p>\n

Madison Koshko, State College, 2026, Centre Hills Country Club<\/p>\n

Mya Morgan, Elizabeth, 2026, Nemacolin Country Club<\/p>\n

Kayley Roberts, Phoenixville, 2026, Phoenixville Country Club<\/p>\n

Piper Smith, Lancaster, 2026, Conestoga Country Club<\/p>\n

Kate Sowers, West Middlesex, 2026, Tam O\u2019Shanter Golf Course<\/p>\n

Myra Tomer, Newtown, 2030, Youth on Course<\/p>\n

Alyssa Zhang, Pittsburgh, 2028, Wildwood Golf Club<\/p>\n

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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