Fillies’ Battaglia lands PIAA berth
FARMINGTON – The WPIAL Girls Individual Golf Championship title remained in the family, while the youngest golfer in the field survived a troubling final two holes Monday to grab one of the nine state berths available at The Links Course at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa. Upper St. Clair’s Megan Trachok shot a 38-38-76, finishing at 5-over-par to win the title won by her sister, Katie, last year.
Maria Battaglia of Laurel Highlands, the only freshman in the field, had some anxious moments, but survived the cut with an 87.
Battaglia had her sights set on a score in the 70s with only two holes to go, but had her problems with the finishing holes. After shooting a 38 on the front to tie Trachok for the low score on the first nine, the freshman was cruising along at 6-over-par through 16 holes when she took a nine on No. 17 and a seven on No. 18.
A fairway bunker was the beginning of her undoing on No. 17, while an unplayable lie on the final hole caused her problems.
“Everything was great until No. 17. Everything was working. It seemed like it was all there,” Battaglia said. “I can’t say what happened. It was awful.”
Battaglia was a little nervous to open the round, but the jitters went away after she rolled her second shot on the first hole. She regrouped for a bogey and was fine to go from that point.
“I saved bogey on the first hole and realized I would have a good day. I kept my thoughts positive. It worked to the last holes,” Battaglia said.
The goal was to advance to the PIAA Championships at Springwood Golf Club in York on Oct. 25-26. Whatever color medal was a bonus.
“I really enjoyed it. I usually get myself upset (after a bad shot), but I kept myself calm. I had a lot of fun,” said Battaglia. “It’s great to play that well. I wanted to make states as a freshman. It’s such a great honor.”
Trachok finished like she went out, shooting a 38 on the back. The junior had an eagle, birdie, six bogeys, and a double bogey in her round. The early morning fog and dew delayed the start, leading to a slow start by Trachok.
“It was not such a good start, but, after that, I hit it where I wanted to,” said Trachok. “I hit a few putts that were important. I made some up-and-downs.
“I could’ve been closer to par, but I’m happy with my score.”
Also advancing were Upper St. Clair’s Ali Bode (78) and Annie Palermo (87), Shady Side Academy’s Margaret Pentrack (78), Greensburg Central Catholic’s Julie Miller (81), Mars’ Marissa Glew (83) and Lauren Glew (85) and Riverside’s Melanie Ice (84).