Laurel Highlands Invitational golf tournament continues to grow in Year 3
Three years ago, Oakbrook Golf Club member Tony Orlandi and Northwinds Peninsula Golf Club head PGA professional Tim Maurer set out to create a competitive golf tournament in Somerset County.
With the help of Somerset Country Club head pro John McGinnis and Oakbrook Golf Club pro Tim Gustin, the Laurel Highlands Invitational was created.
Epic battleChris Cascino holds on to win Laurel Highlands golf invitational
It began as a three-team tournament with eight players from each club competing over three days for a team and individual championship. Windber Country Club joined the fold last year to add to the lure of the tournament.
Orlandi won the inaugural individual title. Windber Country Club's Chris Cascino held off Orlandi for the championship in 2021. Oakbrook has claimed the Jeff Maurer Memorial Award, the team title named in honor of the late Daily American sports editor and brother of Tim Maurer, both years.
Inaugural champsOrlandi, Oakbrook win first Laurel Highlands Invitational
In Year 3, the tournament is raising the bar again. Summit Country Club is joining the mix to create a five-team tournament.
"We hoped it would take off to this type of event," said Orlandi. "Having a championship format and coupling the team format has really been a big success. It gives golfers an opportunity to represent themselves and be a part of a team. The addition of Summit Country Club this year and Windber last year had been great for us as well."
Action will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the Northwinds Peninsula Golf Club, then move to Somerset County Club on Saturday, with the tournament's final round taking place at Oakbrook Golf Club on Sunday. The tournament rotates venues each year.
"We are excited this year to have such a deep field, with some of the best players in the area and a large group of past and current club champs. These are guys who have proved themselves over and over again in competitive golf," Orlandi said.
A trio of high school players will compete again this year. Lukas Cascino of Bishop McCort along with Conemaugh Township's Jack Ankeny and Sam Sharbaugh will showcase their talents. Orlandi wanted golfers of all ages to be able to play in this tournament and grow the game across the area.
"We never wanted to be an elitist tournament," Orlandi said. "We wanted everyone to feel like they could be here. It's good to see that happen."
The first tournament came together in less than three months. It takes a lot of people behind the scenes to make this tournament happen and become an even bigger event each year.
"Our sponsors this year, Sanner Trucking/Concrete, Grebosky Podiatry and The Rehab Centre Chiropractic, reached out to us," Orlandi said. "They wanted to support this event. That is special. The support of the PGA pros, Tim Gustin, Tim Maurer, John McGinnis, Randy Repko and GM Colby Custer is amazing. Without them, none of this would be possible."
Team Oakbrook Golf Club: Tony Orlandi, Sam Sharbaugh, Lee Sharbaugh, Jack Ankeny, Christian Yoder, Nolan Pritts, Judas Blough, Rob Daum.
Team Northwinds Peninsula Golf Club: Ben Wilson, Bob Griffith, Joe Zurvansky, Monte Walker, Stephen Darr, Josh Purchase, Kyle Murray, Josh Coulter.
Team Somerset Country Club: Ron Kaufman, Skeets Ellis, Rick Grebosky, Ollie Shaffer, Ed Custer, Joe Eckenrod, Mike Fapore, Dave Thomas.
Team Windber Country Club: Adam Seidel, Brady Moran, Chris Cascino, EJ Beidle, Lukas Cascino, Paul Pentz, Ron Cramer.
Team Summit Country Club: Artie Fink Jr., Derek Fink, Derek Mcalkich, Shaun Lepore, Brian Geisler, Quinten Dziabo.
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Summit Country Club becomes 5th team in Laurel Highlands Invitational
