New Penn-Trafford boys golf coach has same goals

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, September 3, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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New Penn-Trafford boys golf coach Jeff Newsom was once the girls coach when the program started in 1999.

But for the past three years, Newsom was an as assistant coach for Andy Rizzardi and the boys team.

So when Rizzardi decided to retire after the 2022 season, Newsom stepped in to direct a veteran team. Newsom, a 1986 Penn-Trafford graduate, inherits a team that is favored to win the Section 1-3A title. The Warriors already escaped a close call against Norwin, winning in a playoff.

Leading the way is senior Nick Turowski, the 2021 WPIAL champion. A West Virginia commit and one of the top golfers in the WPIAL and state, Turowski tied for second in the district in 2022.

Also back are David Newsom, the son of the coach, and fellow seniors Bryce Kropczynski, Braedy Mastine, Seth Hartman and Patton Graziano.

Senior Bryce Williams and sophomore Aiden Dzurko also see action in matches.

“I was surprised Andy didn’t stick around for another season,” Jeff Newsom said. “We always have high expectations here. But my goal for them is to worry about the next shot.

“If we focus on the little things, everything else will take care of itself. These guys know what is expected and where they want to be at the end of the season.”

Penn-Trafford has never won a WPIAL team title.

“No team has made the WPIAL finals,” Newsom said. “If this team continues to improve, they have a shot. But they got to be consistent and eliminate the little mistakes.

“All of them can play golf. They just have to learn to manage their game and manage the course.”

The Warriors still have big battles with Indiana, Latrobe, Armstrong, Norwin and Hempfield on tap. Newsom said the team just needs to take care of business.

Turowski said overcoming Norwin was big for the team because they didn’t play up to their potential.

“We can play better and we have to play better if we want to get where we want,” Turowski said. “I had a good summer, but I know I can play better.”

Turowski finished second in a state tournament this summer and placed second on the United States Golf Association Junior State tournament and qualified for the USGA Junior Amateur.

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: Penn-Trafford