WATERFORD – A middle school student beat a new high school graduate in the boys final of the Erie District Golf Association’s Junior Match Play Tournament.
That result, though, was no ordinary upset.
If it even qualified as one.
Josiah Swan, the fourth of five North East siblings who have thrived on the sport, defeated Shippenville’s Devon Lauer 3 and 1 on Wednesday at The Ridge Golf Club. Not only was the eighth-grader-to-be victorious against the tournament’s top seed, but he also beat an opponent who’s on the cusp of his college golf career.
Lauer helped Clarion High School win three District 9 Class 2A team championships and also qualified for the PIAA action. He’ll attend Clarion University and play for the Division II Golden Eagles.
“There’s a lot of good players out there,” Swan said, “so this (victory) definitely boosts my confidence.”
Also winning Wednesday was Alexis Marsh. The new McDowell graduate topped the girls bracket with a 4 and 3 victory vs. Mercyhurst Prep returnee Lena Fuss.
Familiar family standards
Josiah Swan won the tournament weeks after older sister Anna Swan graduated from North East.
Anna Swan will play golf for Oral Roberts University with another sister, Lydia Swan, who will be a junior. Isaiah Swan, the eldest of Mike and Stacy’s five children, also played one season for Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
What that trio has in common, besides a last name, is each were PIAA gold medalists at some point during their varsity golf careers as Grapepickers.
Josiah Swan admitted he’s experienced pressure to maintain the standards established by his older siblings. The good thing is it hasn’t exceeded his healthy level of confidence.
“They’re all good players and they’ve helped me a lot,” Swan said, “but there’s definitely bragging rights (among) us.”
Keziah Swan followed Josiah throughout his match with Lauer. The youngest of the five Swan siblings participated in this past April’s Drive, Chip & Putt Championships at Augusta (Georgia) National Golf Club, which was held the weekend before The Masters.
Marsh to Maryland school
While Josiah Swan could win as many as five more Junior Match Play plaques, Wednesday’s appearance was Marsh’s last. Golfers are ineligible for that EDGA event or Great Lakes Junior Golf Tour event once they start college.
That means Stevenson University for Marsh. She’ll attend the private school in Owings Mills, Maryland, and record rounds for the Division III Mustangs.
“I went back there for a second (visit) and that’s when I thought, ‘I could see myself there,’” Marsh said. “I’m excited. I’m ready to (play) at the college level and see what I can do.”
More: Mike Wolfe wins EDGA Match Play Tournament with dominant victory vs. Ted Grass III
Touting the tour
Lauer wasn’t the only Clarion area player active in one of Wednesday’s tournament finals.
Braden Baylor of Knox won the boys B flight final. He defeated McKean eighth-grader Nicholas Salvatore 3 and 1.
Jay Willow formed the Great Lakes Junior Golf Tour, previously known the Flagship City Junior Tour, in 2012. The former Cathedral Prep golf coach did so to promote the game to younger players and better prepare them for varsity and college competition.
That Lauer, Baylor and their families have consistently traveled well over an hour and back to participate in weekly events is a testament to what Willow originally envisioned for the tour.
It’s grown to the point that the 2024 season began before Memorial Day weekend for the first time. Willow also added events at new locales like Wanango Country Club in Venango County and Hemlock Springs Golf Club in Geneva, Ohio.
“I wanted to expand (the tour) because I feel bad for people like the Kerle family (from Shippenville), who have brought their five kids here every weekend to play in our events. I wanted to bring this tour out more towards them.”
Getting golfers battle-tested, particularly for varsity play, was the other significant factor in Willow’s creation of the tour. He mentioned Josh James, a 2023 Union City graduate, as a prime example.
James competed in Great Lakes tournaments ahead of his seasons for the Bears. That factored into his 2021 win in the PIAA 2A boys tournament and his recruitment by the St. Bonaventure University men’s golf program.
“When these kids get to (varsity) tryouts in August, it’s not a nerve-wracking experience for them,” Willow said. “It’s just another competitive round. When the kids who haven’t played competitive golf come out for tryouts, its shows.”
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Josiah Swan and Alexis Marsh top titlists at EDGA Junior Match Play
