Peters Township wins second straight state crown
Girls win title after four-hole playoff
Nerves of steel and solid putting enabled Peters Township to repeat as state champions in girls golf.
During the Class 3A team tournament played Oct. 23 on the White Course at Penn State University, the Lady Indians outlasted Manheim Township, clinching the crown only after a successful four-hole playoff.
After finishing regulation play – each of the team’s five golfers completed 18 holes – head coach Mike Lacey selected three players for the playoff. No. 2 Sophia Severns and No. 3 Brooke Vowcheck went to the first playoff hole in a foursome with Manheim’s No. 2 and 3 players. Ellie Benson followed in a twosome with Manheim’s top golfer.
After three holes, the Lady Indians won on the fourth hole. Severns and Vowcheck equaled Manheim with pars. Benson birdied while the Blue Streaks shot par, giving Peters Township the victory.
“It was the longest extra hole playoff in the history of the state championship,” exclaimed Lacey.
“An amazing achievement by these girls,” he added. “They stayed focused on every shot to overcome elite competition at the state level.”
The top four teams, which included bronze medalist Downingtown West and fourth-place finisher Conestoga, were separated by just six strokes. The Lady Indians and Blue Streaks carded 227s during regulation.
In winning the 2023 title, Peters Township posted a 231 score. The total at the time was the state lowest ever in PIAA 3A competition.
“It took breaking our own state team record from last year to win this year,” said Lacey. “I am so proud of the girls.”
Lacey was equally pleased with Benson, but he was not surprised the junior came through in the clutch with a seven-foot birdie. Benson was this year’s WPIAL Class 3A individual champion.
“Ellie puts so much time into practicing her putting for this exact moment,” Lacey said. “Her practice paid off.”
Benson carded a 75 during regulation. Severns and Vowcheck followed with 76 scores.
While the five golfers compete in the championships, only the top three scores count. Betty Glyptis and Gabby Catalogna rounded out the competition for the Lady Indians, who completed an undefeated season that also included a section banner and a third-straight WPIAL district crown.
In the PIAA Class 3A boys championship match, South Fayette finished runner-up to North Allegheny. The Tigers finished with a team total of 2-under 286 while the Lions finished two strokes behind.
Sam Bishop led the Lions. He submitted the best score of the match with an 8-under 64 that included nine birdies.
Brady Newman shot 74, and Randy Fisher and Jackson Stephens each shot 76. Noah Nickolas finished with a 79.