Different approach pays off for Valley's Licata

Valley senior Nick Licata did something different before Tuesday's PIAA West Region Golf Championship at Tom's Run Golf Course at Chestnut Ridge Resort in Blairsville.

Instead of just trying to qualify, which he did in previous tournaments, Licata had a score in mind — 75.

Licata did one better. He shot a 2-over-par 74 to take Class AA medalists honors and advanced to the PIAA Championships on Oct. 20-21 at Heritage Golf Resort in York.

He wasn't the only Alle-Kiski Valley golfer to advance to the state tournament. Joining Licata will be Fox Chapel sophomore Anthony Cordaro (AAA), Fox Chapel senior Mike Gerger (AAA), Plum senior Andrew Reynolds (AAA) and Freeport junior Audrey Clawson (AA).

Licata, who placed fifth in the WPIAL tournament, had three birdies (Nos. 7, 12 and 18) and five bogeys.

“I set a score of 75 because I didn't want to worry about just barely qualifying,” Licata said. “This was a great round for me.

“I played a good practice round when the temperatures were in the 50s. The course isn't that difficult, and I figured I could shoot well.”

Licata said he was surprised his wind-aided drive on No. 18 went 340 yards. He said even though he doesn't like to play in windy conditions, he was able to manage his game.

“I tried to keep the flight of the ball low,” Licata said. “I thought I dealt with the wind well.”

Licata said he hasn't yet decided on a college, but he definitely wants to play golf somewhere.

“I'm still looking,” Licata said. “Hopefully, a good state tournament will help.”

Cordaro, the WPIAL Class AAA champion, shot a 2-over 74 and finished second behind Allderdice senior Sasha Lobel (73).

“My round could have been better, but I'm happy with it,” Cordaro said. “The wind made it tough. It helped you at times, and it would hurt you. It was a one- or two-club wind at times.”

Cordaro said the wind helped his drive on No. 18 and carried the ball 380 yards. He was outdone by Laurel Highlands senior Harrison Laskey, who said his drive traveled 400 yards, leaving him with 120 yards to the pin on the par 5, 520-yard hole.

Cordaro had three birdies (Nos. 8, 12 and 18) and five bogeys. His teammate, Gerger, shot a 9-over 81.

Reynolds had four birdies (Nos. 1, 8, 9 and 18) and two double bogeys. He finished at 4-over 76.

“The conditions were tough with all the wind,” said Reynolds, a Gannon recruit. “I tried to stay focused and keep the ball straight. I didn't cut the ball or draw it.

“My goal was to make it to states. The last two years I got to the WPIAL finals and (I didn't play well).”

Putting was Clawson's biggest problem. She began her round with five consecutive three-putts and had eight during the round, finishing 9-over 81.

“I'm not happy,” Clawson said. “The conditions were tough, but I lost track of how many putts. I was keeping the ball in the fairway and hitting greens in regulation.”

Clawson, a junior, is making her third trip to the state tournament. She placed seventh in 2012 and 10th in 2013.

Seton-La Salle senior Joey Walz was the Class AA medalist after shooting a 1-under par 71. The girls Class AAA medalist was Peters Township sophomore Mia Kness, who shot an even-par 72.

Paul Schofield is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.