Shady Side Academy boys golf sets sights on WPIAL, PIAA titles

By: Marty Stewart
Friday, August 30, 2019 | 8:09 PM

The Shady Side Academy boys golf team moved up to WPIAL Class AAA last season and continued to succeed.

The Indians won Section 8 with a 12-0 record. They finished 14-0 and qualified for the WPIAL team finals for the second consecutive year, where they finished third behind Fox Chapel and Central Catholic.

SSA also won the IPSL Tournament at Fox Chapel Golf Club.

The Indians return seven players from last year but will miss four-year starter and captain Jas Fuhrer.

Senior Brice Delaney is a four-year starter who qualified for the PIAA finals last season. Seniors Patrick Walsh and Grady Munroe also are experienced players.

Junior Adam Lauer had the lowest stroke average on the team his freshman and sophomore seasons. Juniors Charles Troutman and Garrett Fuhrer and sophomore Wes Warden also are returning starters. The team that competed in the WPIAL finals last year included Lauer, Troutman, Delaney, Walsh and Garrett Fuhrer.

“The team has three new players this year, and each brings the potential to improve the team and crack the starting lineup,” assistant coach Kyle Smith said. “Senior Cole Frischman is joined by junior Jack Todd and sophomore Sam Bitzer.

“Similar to last year, the strength of the team will be depth and experience. The players have greatly benefited from a consistent approach to the program led by PGA teaching professional Mark Hessler (former head pro at Fox Chapel GC) and have made steady progress with results the past three years. “

Delaney has had a great summer playing tournaments, highlighted by qualifying for the Pennsylvania State Amateur finals. Lauer and Troutman both provide a reliable base for the team in the Nos. 1 and 2 positions. Walsh, Munroe, Fuhrer, and Warden have all started for the team. Most of the returning players have experience playing in WPIAL team and individual finals. Our team goals for the year are to win the WPIAL team playoffs and the PIAA tournament.”

Smith believes it will be a tough road to reach the goals.

“The WPIAL will be strong again this year in AAA. Fox Chapel, Peters Township, and Central Catholic always have quality programs with Pine-Richland coming on strong over the past few years. There are also great individual players in the WPIAL again this year, so making the individual or team finals will be a great accomplishment.

“Hampton has traditionally been our top competition in the section, and I would expect them to be strong again. Mars and Armstrong are also teams that return talented players.”

Tags: Shady Side Academy