Mars golf trio had big summer in Junior PGA Tour. Planets hope it leads to fall success
Already with high hopes for the 2024 season, prospects for the Mars High boys golf team received a boost over the summer.
Three Planets — seniors James Kinghorn (tied for first), Will Campbell (third) and Keegan O’Leary (fifth) — placed in the Top 5 in the Tri-State Junior PGA Tour points standings for the Boys 17-18 division, which included 67 golfers.
The trio will play important roles in deciding if the Planets can reach the WPIAL playoffs after just missing a berth last year.
“We’re very senior-heavy this season,” Planets coach Rich Schoeffel said. “We had eight guys who shot in the 70s (on 18 holes) throughout tryouts. I believe we should shoot in the 180s as a team in every match.”
The tour schedule included 20 tournaments from April through July at courses throughout the region, followed by a championship round, held at Mystic Rock Golf Course in Fayette County earlier this month. Only golfers who win a tournament during the season or who are ranked in the Top 10 in points are eligible to compete in the final.
Kinghorn golfed in eight of the first 20 events, placing runner-up twice and third once. He needed to win at Mystic Rock to clinch at least a share of the points title and responded with a 1-over-par 73, good for first place.
He tied Sewickley’s Nolan Wagoner for the crown, both of them earning 266 points, though Kinghorn golfed in two fewer events.
“I’d golfed in this series three times over the last few years,” Kinghorn said. “I gave myself a chance, but it wasn’t until this year that it all came together for me.
“I was hoping to improve my short game in these tournaments and specifically with my chipping, I got a better feel for it and was able to get closer to the hole more often. It feels awesome to see all of my hard work pay off.”
Campbell, one of Mars’ top golfers since his freshman year, also had prior experience with the Junior PGA events. He won four of the six events he golfed in this year, earning wins at Slippery Rock Golf Club, Avalon Field Club, Willowbrook Country Club and Glengarry Golf Links. He finished with 258 points.
Golfers pick and choose which events they want to compete in.
“A lot of it was random for me,” Campbell said. “It was based on my schedule, plus there were a few courses that I really liked the layout of and chose to play there.
“I have a solid all-around game but am really consistent off the tee. If you’re not driving the ball well, you have to scramble. I also made a lot of clutch putts. So much of my success is due to my mindset. I was in the right place mentally.”
O’Leary golfed in 12 events and won the tournament at Youghiogheny Country Club near McKeesport in late July. He earned 230 points this season.
Campbell said he is encouraged by the positive vibe on the high school team.
“There’s a lot of good competition within the team, and I think this is our best chance to have a great season,” he said. “We have a tight bond with each other and pick each other up if somebody has a bad round.”
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