Butler's Leone snares golf title
WEST MIFFLIN — Butler junior Nic Leone left his driver in the golf bag Monday at Westwood Golf Club.
Following an iffy practice round Sunday and two matches he wasn't happy with last week, Leone decided to hit irons and woods off the tee.
“I've actually really never played (at Westwood) before,” Leone said. “It's a short course and I'm better with shorter irons and wedges. I hit them consistently.”
Switching up his strategy proved to be the right move at the WPIAL Section 3-AAA Section qualifier.
Leone carded four birdies during a 1-over par 72 round, which earned him medalist honors out of a field of 36 golfers.
Leone's the first Golden Tornado golfer to win a section qualifier since Jon Pratkanis shot a 2-under par 70 at Highland Country Club in 2002.
“The big thing with Nic is he knows what is essential to scoring,” Butler golf coach Travis Shingleton said. “His putters and wedges are key to a good score. He still hits the ball far, but he's been in a slump with his driver recently.”
Leone will play in the WPIAL semifinals for the second consecutive year next week at a site to be determined.
Seneca Valley's Andy Smathers (79), Tyler Leake (80), Adam Bushee (81) and Garrett Schlick (81) also advanced from the Section 3 qualifier.
Nick Huff (86), Kaden Rock (88), Gage Terwilliger (92), Nick Penrod (92) and Andrew Kukla (96) also competed for Butler.
Leone felt he had a good chance to win, especially since he played in a group of other teams' No. 1 golfers.
He was paired with North Allegheny's Ryan Dougherty, North Hills' Johnny Stuckert and Pine-Richland's Nate Riley.
“I expect high things when I go into tournaments,” Leone said. “I don't want this to sound like bragging, but I feel like I'm good enough to beat anybody. I put the time and effort in.”
Leone birdied the third hole before salvaging a par on the fourth hole.
He hooked and needed a good approach to put himself in position to rebound. After a slow week last week, Leone found the right time to rebound.
“It definitely sets my confidence going into WPIALs for sure,” Leone said.
Shingleton believes Leone will have a better round in the semifinals than the one he played at Shadow Lake last year.
“I think he wants to redeem himself,” Shingleton said. “He wants to make his presence know and show he can compete in one of the toughest sections in Western Pennsylvania.”
