USC Golf Teams Seek Continued Success in 2012

Both Upper St. Clair High School golf teams look to build on successful seasons heading into 2012.

The USC boys are coming off a WPIAL team championship and a near miss in the state title match. The girls won their section.

Four of the top male golfers return as juniors: Thomas Steve, Patrick McDonnell, Corey Wilding and Grant Engel. Steve shot a 72 to lead the Panthers against Indiana in the WPIAL final matchup, and the others posted scores of 82 or below.

The title was the 17th for the Upper St. Clair boys, most in the WPIAL. The USC girls’ team is just behind with 16, including 12 straight from 1994 through 2005.

The girls won the Class AAA Section 2 championship and finished third in the WPIAL last season. Among the returning golfers is junior Melissa Kearney, who took 14th place WPIAL individual championships and won the section.

Kearney, who started playing golf at age 11, has been participating in the PGA Junior Series this summer, finishing 11th at a July event at Westbrook Country Club in Ohio. She also has golfed in American Junior Golf Association events and took eighth place at the Cleveland Junior Open in June.

Other USC golfers returning from last year include Darby Gallo, Madison Phillips, Jordan Ryan, Eva Roy and Stacey Vespa.

The boys’ team is coached by Todd Flynn and the girls by Matt Henderson.