USC’s nice guys do finish first
Upper St. Clair captured its 18th WPIAL team title in boys’ golf by decisively beating the competition. The Panthers posted a 381 team score while their nearest foe, Fox Chapel, finished 30 strokes behind with a second-place score of 411.
Grant Engel fired a 3-under-par 69 to lead Upper St. Clair in the WPIAL Class AAA championships for boys' golf as well as earn medalist honors for himself.
Thomas Steve of Upper St. Clair focuses on his putt during the WPIAL Class AAA team championships. The senior carded a one-under 71 to help the Panthers.
The adage ‘Nice Guys Finish Last’ does not apply to the Upper St. Clair golf team. No, these guys finished first in the WPIAL.
During the Class AAA team championships played on the Gold course at Cedar Brook Golf Course in Belle Vernon, the Panthers posted a 381 score to capture the school’s 18th district title. Their nearest challenger, Fox Chapel, fell 30 strokes off the pace for second place.
“Good things happen to good people,” said head coach Todd Flynn. I’m blessed with wonderful kids. This is truly a special group.”
A resilient bunch for sure the Panthers are. For after a humbling experience in last year’s semifinals, where they were shockingly eliminated from the team tournament, the Panthers bounced back better than ever.
“Last year motivated them deeply,” Flynn said of his golfers. His comment to them during the end-of-the-season awards banquet sparked improved skill as well as a better mental approach to the game.
“I told them ‘don’t ever forget how you felt (after the semifinal loss). Remember that day. It will make you a better person in life,'” Flynn recalled.
That dreaded day in October of 2012, certainly made Grant Engel a better golfer. The senior shot the lowest score, a 3-under-par, at the 2013 WPIAL championships to earn medalist honors.
“We went into last year thinking that people were going to bow down to us simply because we showed up,” he said. “It was a wake up call.
“This year, the seniors made sure nothing like that would happen again,” he added.
Two things factored into the seniors’ determination. Their coach was one reason. No more chances was the other.
“We really wanted to pull this out for Coach Flynn, especially after what happened last year,” Engel said. “We felt we let him down.
“We also knew there would be no next year for us,” Engel continued. “We knew what had to be done and we did it.”
According to Patrick McDonnell, USC had to have at least three golfers score in the 70s if it was to unseat Central Catholic as the champion. The Vikings, who featured the 2012 individual champion, Brent Rogers, finished third with a 412 score.
The Panthers, in fact, had three duffers break par. In addition to Engel, McDonnell and Thomas Steve carded 1-under-par 71s.
“We all knew we could do it,” said McDonnell. With those three totals, McDonnell added, “it put the pressure on the field.”
By putting well, Engel and McDonnell applied the pressure. Both cited that aspect of the game fueled their performances.
Prior to the finals, McDonnell particularly focused on that aspect of his game. In fact, his personal coach, Greg Martin, came all the way from Texas to practice with McDonnell the weekend before the championships.
“Putting was the main focus. We worked a lot on that,” said McDonnell. “That got me going in the finals. That was working well. My putting was good. Phenomenal,” he added.
Since his freshman year, McDonnell has been one of the phenoms on a club that now owns two WPIAL titles. He comes from a family of golfers, his father, Pat, and his uncle, Mike, who earned a full scholarship to Penn State University. McDonnell hopes to follow in those footsteps. A Division I recruit, his first choice is Michigan State, where he hopes to play golf and major in hospitality management.
“Patrick has fought to become one of the top golfers since his freshman year,” said Flynn. “He played great (in the championships). It was his day. I can’t think of a better way for him to go out.”
Flynn couldn’t have written a better script for Engel. He, too, was on top of his putting game. He read the greens and the course well, hitting precise shots on the parts of the course that were wide open and clean enough on the other portions that were tight. He shot even on the front nine and carded a 3-under, 33 on the back nine to finish with a 69.
“My putting was working,” he explained. “Maybe only three of them were outside of 15 feet. That gave me a lot of confidence and kept my momentum going.”
As the match progressed, it became evident Engel was on course to claim medalist honors. His 3-under-par 69 proved the lowest score in the team championships.
“It could not have happened to a nicer kid,” said Flynn of Engel’s distinction. “He does all the work he has to do both on and off the course. I tell them, good things happen if you are a good person and Grant is a good kid.”
A humble one at that, Engel is. Of his laurels as medalist he said, “to be the one with the lowest score is amazing. It’s a huge honor particularly since there were a lot of phenomenal golfers out there.”
In his past three matches, Engel has been terrific. He shot a 69 at the WPIAL individual championships at Diamond Run to qualify for the PIAA tournament. He also carded a similar score in the semifinals, which USC won with a 376 score on the 6,213-yard course at Ponderosa.
“But I never expected a 69 in the team championships,” he said. “It’s a great honor. There really was some great competition.”
Engel has the best competition on his own club. In addition to McDonnell, Thomas Steve is USC’s ace. The section champion and WPIAL bronze medalist finished with a 71 score in the team championships.
“Just playing with Thomas makes me and all of us play so much better,” Engel said. “He pushes me. He pushes us because he is phenomenal.”
While senior Corey Wilding and freshman Louie Olsakowsky contributed 86 scores, Nelson Zacur, who carded an 84, also helps Engel’s game. In fact, Zacur and his dad, Mark, join Engel and his father, Bob, as a foursome during their weekend outings at St. Clair Country Club.
“Nelson and I are always competitive and that helps our game. All the guys are (competitive),” said the son of Deborah Engel. “That’s what makes us better.”
The bond the USC golfers share, particularly the seniors, has made them better. As freshmen, however, the link was not there immediately. “We clashed,” said McDonnell. “We came together through golf. We are so close now because we click.”
“We spend so much time together,” agreed Engel, who said the team would celebrate their championship by going out to dinner as a group.”
Today, however, the Panthers are back to work. While Steve and Engel are qualified for individual achievement at the state level, the entire squad is qualified for the PIAA tournament. The first round of action, both individually and team-wise, was set for Oct. 16 at Tom’s Run Golf Course in Blairsville. The finals are scheduled for Oct. 21-22 at Heritage Hills in York.
Two years ago, Upper St. Clair advanced to the PIAA championships. The Panthers lost the state title by two strokes says Flynn. “These kids were on a mission (to win the WPIAL) but now they are certainly going for that (a state title),” he said.
Because he missed the cut for individuals, McDonnell is particularly pumped for the state’s team tournament. “The WPIAL title means a lot to the team and me especially since I was knocked out of individuals. So this is great because I get to go to states with my team.”
Engel is equally excited, particularly since he rides low scores in the 60s into both events. He said that it was huge to come out of WPIALs playing well because it was the first qualifier for states. “Personally, I wanted to get qualified and be able to help my team. Winning is the best feeling with my teammates because they are all my friends. Now, we just have to work on our games and try out best.”
A year from now, Engel hopes to be doing his best in college. Although he may not continue to play on a scholarship, he is interested in attending either of his parents’ alma maters, Penn State or Miami of Ohio. He plans to major in sales and business.
“I want to be a business man who plays golf. That’s the dream job for me.”
And nobody hopes Engel’s dream and all the Panthers’ plans come true more than Flynn. Noting his personal philosophy, he reminds them that their WPIAL title is in the past and tomorrow is the future.
“I wish them all well. They have done all that I have asked of them. Nowhere will you find five finer kids. The whole group,” he added. “They are truly special.”