Trio of Franklin Regional golfers reach WPIAL tournament final round

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, September 28, 2024 | 11:01 AM

It’s been quite a season for the Franklin Regional boys golf team.

Not only did they share a section title with Central Catholic and Plum, three golfers advanced to the WPIAL Class 3A individual finals at Oakmont Country Club on Oct. 2.

Advancing were junior Colin Holt, senior Liam Copeland and junior Dylan Mauser. After the first round, Holt was tied for sixth, two shots off the lead, when he shot 3-over par 76 at Southpointe Golf Club.

Copeland was tied for 19^th after shooting an 8-over 80, and Mauser was tied for 34^th with an 11-over 83.

The top 14 finishers after the final round advance to the PIAA championships Oct. 21 and 22 at Penn State.

“I’m happy to get a chance to play Oakmont,” Copeland said beforehand. “I may not get another shot. Southpointe was a tough course, and I did not play as well as I should have. It was a tough start, but the birdie on No. 5 calmed me down. I started being aggressive after that.”

Mauser too was excited to get the opportunity to play at Oakmont.

“That was my goal,” Mauser said about reaching the finals. “I get the experience to play one of the top golf courses in the country.

“I had my troubles at Southpointe. I had played there before and knew what to expect. I just did not play well.”

Holt had knowledge of Oakmont because he is a caddie there and gets to play the famed course occasionally.

“I think knowledge of the course will help me,” Holt said beforehand. “The best thing is staying mentally focused.”

Franklin Regional coach Jeff Traphagen said golf is a funny game.

“Dylan was in last place last year heading to the final round at Valley Brook,” Traphagen said. “He played his game and missed by a stroke of qualifying for states.

“They all have a chance. They just must play well and keep it together. Colin is good at limiting mistakes and he can put himself in position for making birdies or tap-in pars. Colin has an advantage because he knows Oakmont better than some of the members.”

The trio, along with Luke Anderchak, Jose Balza and Ethan Raver helped the Panthers defeat Central Catholic and Plum at home.

The last time Franklin Regional won a section title was in 2020 when the Panthers were WPIAL champions.

“We hadn’t won the section in a few seasons, so it was nice to get one,” Copeland said. “Hopefully we’ll continue to do well in the playoffs.”

Mauser added: “It was exciting to win the section title. It was a goal we made before the season and it was nice to achieve.”

Holt said it took a team effort to win the section title.

“It was special coming back to defeat them at home,” Holt said of the win over Central Catholic. “We’re tough to beat at Meadowink (Golf Course).”

Traphagen said being able to defend their home course was the difference.

“In the previous three years, we’d beat one of the teams and lose both to the other,” Traphagen said. “This year was different.

“We have a chance at winning the WPIALs. It all depends on what team shows up. There are a lot of good teams this year.”

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional