JEFFERSON TWP — It was learn golf or never see his brothers.

Such was the dilemma of Rob Voltz as a 9-year-old, growing up with three older brothers.

“My dad used to come home from work and my three brothers went golfing with him almost every day,” Voltz recalled. “I was the one left at home.

“It was either learn the game or never see those guys. So I taught myself how to play golf.”

He turned out to be a pretty good teacher.

Voltz, 45, a 1991 Knoch graduate, went on to earn medalist honors at the 1990 WPIAL team championships, was a three-time national championship qualifier in college, won the Tri State PGA Junior Championship and was named Tri State PGA Player of the Year.

His excellence in golf has landed Voltz — Knoch's varsity golf coach for 15 years — a berth in the Knoch High School Sports Hall of Fame. He is part of the HOF's third induction class and will formally join the Hall at a reception prior to the Knights' Sept. 8 home football game.

“I'm extremely honored, humbled and excited about this,” Voltz said.

Voltz took up golf at age 10. He used his grandfather's old set of clubs. About six inches were cut off the clubs and new grips were put on.

“I'm a left-hander and left-handed clubs were hard to find back then,” Voltz said. “My grandfather died well before I was born. My mom kept his golf clubs. They were in the basement for 34 years and were from the 1940's. They were the first clubs I ever used.”

Voltz developed such a passion for the game that he used to shovel snow off the grass in his family's yard so he had a place to practice in December and January.

A four-year letterman at Knoch, he played on the Knights' 1990 undefeated team that won the WPIAL championship. Notable teammates were Jeff Dickson, Scott Fischer and Matt Dudkowski.

“Scott and I still golf together about 30 times a year and Matt and I get together on the course a couple of times each year,” Voltz said.

His opponent in the WPIAL Finals, Kevin Shields of Mt. Lebanon, was recently named one of the top 50 golf instructors in the world by Golf Digest.

After accepting a golf scholarship to Slippery Rock University, Voltz qualified for Div. II nationals three times and The Rock placed as high as ninth nationally. Voltz was named PSAC Scholar Athlete of the Year during his time at SRU.

“The honor I was most proud of there was being named Academic All-American as a junior and senior,” Voltz said. “I was the first Slippery Rock golfer to ever receive that award twice.”

Voltz continues to be actively involved in golf. Along with being Knoch's golf coach, he is teaching sons Cory and Aaron the game. He is also a two-time champion of the Butler Eagle County Amateur Open and is the prime director of that event.

“Golf is a major part of my life. There is no question about that,” Voltz said.

He golfs with some of his former Knoch High School golfers from years ago. Some of his former golfers still ask him to evaluate their swing or help them with their game in some way.

“I always go help when I'm asked. It means a lot they would think of me,” he said.

Voltz's oldest son, Cory, is entering eighth grade this year. He won the first local U.S. Kids Golf Tour event of the fall season this weekend, carding a 74 at Spring Church to win by 10 strokes.

“Beginning next year, I'll probably have a son on our high school team for eight years in a row,” Voltz said. “It's a thrill watching them learn the game, grow into it and want to get better at it.

“Watching my son succeed on a golf course is far more meaningful than anything I've done in the game.”