Sunnehanna Exemption for PA Junior Boys Champion Announced

Sunnehanna Amateur Extends Exemption to

Pennsylvania Junior Amateur Champion

For Immediate Release……………………………………………February 24, 2025

Johnstown, Pa-The Sunnehanna Amateur announces it's plan to extend an automatic one-year exemption into their tournament to the winner of the 2025 and 2026 Pennsylvania State Junior Amateur Championship beginning with the 2026 Sunnehanna Amateur. Arguably one of the most prestigious amateur golf championships in the country, The Sunnehanna Amateur has been contested at the Sunnehanna Country Club since 1936 and since that time, it’s list of former champions and contestants is a who’s who of golf history in the United States.

The announcement was extended to Pennsylvania Golf Association President Annie Vanzant by Sunnehanna Amateur Co-Chairmen John Yerger.

“Presently the Pennsylvania State Junior champion does not receive an exemption into the United States Junior. To incentivize participation in this important championship, and support junior golf in the state of Pennsylvania, the Sunnehanna Amateur is pleased to announce we will award an exemption to the Pennsylvania Junior Champion in 2025 & 2026. As evidenced by our awarding an exemption to the Pennsylvania Amateur champion in 2025, we are committed to supporting championship golf in the state of Pennsylvania. While it isn’t the United States Junior, we hope an exemption into the Sunnehanna Amateur is an opportunity that will motivate the states best juniors to compete in Hershey this June. In addition, we will also invite last year’s junior champion, David Fuhrer, to this year’s Sunnehanna Amateur to show our commitment to this championship.” Said Mr. Yerger, a former member of the Pennsylvania Golf Association executive committee and currently a member of the championship committee of the West Penn Golf Association. 

Yerger highlighted that the Sunnehanna Amateur has had numerous champions that have come from Pennsylvania. Among them: Arnold Palmer, Jay Sigel, Nathan Smith, Bill Hyndman, Buddy Lutz and Greg Lesher.

“Nothing would make us happier than to see another champion from our state, continued Yerger.

“The Pennsylvania Golf Association (PAGA) could not be more excited and appreciative to receive these exemptions.  These exemptions will most definitely strengthen the 2025 and 2026 Pennsylvania State Junior Amateur Championships fields.  The PAGA thanks the Sunnehanna Amateur and Sunnehanna Amateur Co- Chairmen John Yerger for their support of The Pennsylvania Golf Association. Sunnehanna Country Club has been a tremendously generous partner to PAGA, and we look forward to continuing this long lasting partnership” said Vanzant

 “We would like to express our appreciation to Mr. Yerger, Brian Chirillo, The Sunnehanna Amateur Committee, and the staff and membership of Sunnehanna Country Club for their continued support and recognition of the champions of Pennsylvania’s Amateur Championships.” Said Jason Barkley, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Golf Association.

The 2025 Sunnehanna Amateur will be contested June 11^th thru 14^th at the Sunnehanna Country Club just outside of Johnstown, Pa. 

The Pennsylvania Junior Amateur Championship will be contested over 54-holes June 23-24, 2025 at the Hershey Country Club. Prospective contestants can enter at www.pagolf.org. Entries open on March 29.