PA Junior Championship Results
Pennsylvania Golf Association
Williamson Cup Team Preview
Greenville, DE – Four of the states top junior golfers are on their way to the Fieldstone Golf Club to compete in the 48th Williamson Cup. The Williamson Cup was started in 1964, and is regarded as one of the most prestigious junior tournaments in the nation. Hosting teams of four, from ten golf associations, the Williamson Cup proudly hosts some of the best young golfers from the eastern seaboard and Canada.
In 2003 Pennsylvania Golf Association won their first team championship at The Royal Montréal Golf Club. A team of Garrett Basayga, Scott Deakings, Brandon Detweiler, and Matthew Mattare outlasted the team from the Golf Association of Ontario to take the team championship by 4-strokes. In addition to their win that year, Garrett Basayga also captured the individual title by two stokes.
The 2012 Williamson Cup team hold four strong young golfers. Reilly Erhardt, Marc Oliveri Jr., Evan Sommer, & Cole Miller all have had strong 2012 seasons. Both Miller and Oliveri Jr. tied for third place at this year's Junior Championship, while Erhardt was a shot back and Sommer two shots.
Reilly Erhardt, a second year Williamson Cup veteran, hopes to build on his experience from last year. After a first year disappointment, Erhardt has been diligently working on one important part of his game.
“Composure. Keeping myself together is probably the biggest part of my game. Anybody can have a perfect swing, but if you can keep your head through all 18 holes no matter what, that’s the biggest advantage.”
While Erhardt did not repeat as champion in the Junior Championship at Hershey Country Club, he is still optimistic about the Williamson Cup.
“I’m going to try to do my best and maybe finish top five, and anything inside that range would be great.”
Joining Erhardt, is Evan Sommer. Sommer is a first time member of the team and received his invite in a different way.
“I couldn’t believe when I got the email. On vacation with my entire family, and I was checking my email from my phone. The first thing I saw was the subject, I saw Williamson Cup. I knew that I was being invited and I jumped up and I screamed out loud. It’s quite an honor. “
Sommer’s goal this season has been simple, play consistently and work his way up the leaderboard. After an eighth place finish in the Junior Championship, Sommer, has gone back to fundamentals, “Keep the ball in play, and make a couple putts.”
In addition to Sommer and Erhardt, Cole Miller will make an appearance in the Williamson Cup for Pennsylvania Golf.
“I didn’t expect to represent the Pennsylvania Golf Association. (But) I had one good showing and I was asked and it was great."
Miller, fresh off a winning showing at his High School District’s golf championship, understands how huge of an honor it is to play in the tournament stating, “to play in it, it’s really an honor.” Miller reiterates that if they all play well (Erhardt, Sommers, Miller, & Oliveri Jr.), they have a chance to win it (the Williamson Cup)
Rounding out the four, is Marc Oliveri Jr. Oliveri had a strong finish in the state’s Junior Championship, tying for third.
o;I think it is a really great honor. I wasn’t expecting to be chosen.”
After the PA Junior at Hershey Country Club, Oliveri had a strong showing in one of his local tournaments carding ten birdies, and shot 7–under par. Still for Oliveri, the Junior Championship has been the tournament that continues to motivate him, and push him.
A loaded Williamson Cup field and a challenging course stand in the way of the Pennsylvania team bringing the cup back to Pennsylvania. All four team members have lofty hopes of bring the championship home.
The event's format will be a best 3 scores of the 4 players, per round (36-hole competition). The low individual score also will receive an award.