Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Latrobe’s PJ Germano

By: Anthony DiFilippo
Monday, September 4, 2023 | 9:48 AM

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The high school sports season is still young, but that doesn’t mean teams can’t begin to separate themselves from the pack.

That’s exactly what the Latrobe boys golf team is doing, beginning its fall 2023 campaign with a 5-1 overall record.

Leading the pack in most of those matches is senior PJ Germano, who has shot 34, 35 and 37 in his last three outings, with an average score of 38.2 for the season.

Germano was quick to praise the team around him, connecting them to the success out of the gate.

“I think we have a pretty competitive team this year,” Germano said. “Starting out with that record gives me a good feeling for the rest of the season.”

On his personal success, Germano said there definitely is more to accomplish.

“I feel like I’ve improved from last year to this year, but I can always be better,” Germano said.

Germano has set some pretty high goals for himself before leaving the high school golf world.

“I would say a pretty lofty goal would be to win our section,” Germano said. “I want to qualify for individual playoffs and, hopefully, get our team to the team playoffs as well.”

Even though golf is very much an individual sport, there is the team aspect as well.

The scores for Latrobe are consistently low across the board.

While again giving his teammates praise, Germano also made it a point to give respect to the team’s opponents.

“Having so many talented individuals on the team, we push each other to be better,” Germano. “Also our opponents, they also push us to be better players and better golfers.”

Latrobe’s golf team can’t be talked about without a mention of Latrobe Country Club, which is where the great Arnold Palmer grew up.

“It’s just an honor to play Mr. Palmer’s course,” Germano. “It’s a very difficult golf course, but it’s a very surreal feeling playing his course.”

Germano has not made a decision on what he wants to do after high school, but he does plan to play golf at the collegiate level.

This week, Germano took some time out of his early season schedule for a Senior Spotlight Q&A:

How did you get started with golf?

My dad put a club in my hand at the age of 3, and I just fell in love with it after that.

What’s your favorite course to play?

I love playing Latrobe Country Club. It’s great. But I personally enjoy Hannastown, which I belong to.

What’s a more underrated course that’s out there?

If there’s an underrated course around here, I believe it’s Totteridge. It’s just a great course.

What would be your dream course to play on?

It’s probably going to be a very typical answer, but Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia because of that history of the Masters and all the great players who’ve played there.

What tips would you give to amateurs or people looking to get started with golf or improve their game?

I was taught this when I first started the game. It’s to start from behind the ball on every shot you have.

Are golf course hot dogs better than regular hot dogs?

Yeah, I’d put them up there with ballpark hot dogs. They just taste better.

What is one thing that people might not know about you?

Not many people know this, but I do listen to some older ’70s and ’80s music. I really enjoy Billy Joel.

Tags: Latrobe