Weston Warden completes WPGA 'double' with win at C.R. Miller Match Play; Ranaweera wins girls event

Weston Warden did something that happened only five times previously: win both the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association’s Junior Championship and the C.R. Miller Match Play in the same season.

The rising senior at Shady Side Academy achieved that second part of the accomplishment Tuesday at Hannastown Golf Club near Greensburg when he defeated Murrysville’s Nolan Shilling, 2-up, in the finals.

He edged Chuck Tragesser, 2 & 1, in the semifinals. Shilling reached the finals by defeating Adam Lauer, 2 & 1.

In the girls tournament, Seneca Valley’s Lihini Ranaweera defeated South Fayette’s Marissa Malosh, 2 & 1. Ranaweera defeated Gibsonia’s Victoria Witouski, 3 & 1, and Malosh edged Peters Township’s Ella McRoberts, 1-up.

The boys match was close throughout. It was all square through 16 when Warden was able to go 1-up on No. 17 with a par. On No. 18, all he needed was a bogey to win it.

“I played pretty well,” Warden said. “I spend most of my year working on my short game. The chip on No. 16 was easy, and I felt I could get up-and-down and make him make a putt.

“This means a lot after winning the West Penn Junior. I put in a lot of work this summer, and it showed. I gave up a lot of my social life to work on my game.”

Shilling said the competition will make him better.

“It was a grind out there,” Shilling said. “He’s a good player, and he played well. I played well against some good competitors to get into the finals.”

Ranaweera led 2-up through eight holes, but Malosh was able to pull even on No. 12.

That was short-lived as Ranaweera birdied the par 3 13th and then parred No. 14 to get back top 2-up. She ended the match on No. 17.

“The birdie putt from the fringe was the turning point,” Ranaweera said. “I played steady the rest of the way.

“Winning this means a lot. I’m so grateful that I was invited to this event. It was so well organized, and the competition was tough. Marissa put up a good battle.”

Malosh said Ranaweera played amazing.

“She hit every fairway and chipped well,” Malosh said. “Her putting won it for her.”

State Amateur Championship

Patrick Sheehan shot a 3-under-par 67, the best score of the second round, to grab the lead at the 108th Pennsylvania Golf Association Amateur Championship on Tuesday at historic Merion Golf Club near Philadelphia.

He is at 3-under 137 for the tournament and holds a three-shot lead over Peters Township’s Jimmy Ellis and Carlisle’s John Peters, both at even par 140 for the two rounds. Ellis shot a 1-over 71 and Peters a 3-over 73.

First-round leader Tanner Johnson is tied for seventh place with Greensburg’s Mark Goetz and St. Clair Country Club’s Neal Shipley at 2-over.

Johnson, from Peters Township, shot a 6-over par 76 after opening the tournament with a 4-under 66.

Moving up the board was Goetz and Shipley, both whom shot 2-under 68. Their rounds included three birdies.

Other local golfers making the cut include: Oakmont’s Andrew Friend (6-over), Oakmont’s Rocco Salvitti (6-over), Chartiers’ Erik Bertrand (7-over), Oakmont’s Mitch Mercer (7-over) and Fox Chapel’s Scott Bitar (7-over).

The field of 136 was cut to low 41 and ties.