STATE COLLEGE — Cole Powell never minded a bogey so much in his golfing career.
When Annville-Cleona’s Ben Allwein lost his tee shot on the second hole of their playoff, the Scranton Prep junior knew a bogey would be enough to capture his second straight Class 2A state title.
Powell made his short putt for bogey to win the playoff and repeat as champion at the PIAA Individual Golf Championships on Tuesday at the Penn State University Golf Courses.
Both players shot 4-under-par 140s through 36 holes of regulation on the Blue Course, then birdied the first playoff hole to send it to a second playoff hole.
“The first year felt great. The second year feels even better,” Powell said. “It takes a lot of weight off my shoulders and the target from winning last year when that final putt dropped.”
He is the ninth boys player in the history of the tournament to win back-to-back state titles. Among those on the list are Latrobe’s Arnold Palmer in 1946-47 and Wyoming Seminary’s Nick Werner in 2023-24 in Class 2A. Others include Franklin’s Barrett Melvin (1935-36), Reading’s John Markel (1939-41), Lower Merion’s Jay Sigel (1960-61), Knoch’s Jeff Dickson (1991-92), Fairfield’s Isaiah Logue (Class 2A, 2012-13) and Fox Chapel’s Carson Kittsley (Class 3A, 2024-25).
“To be up with one of the legends of golf is incredible,” Powell said. “It’s an outstanding achievement and I’m so proud of it.”
Scranton Prep teammate Bobby Stott and Abington Heights’ Sebastien Meyer came away with state medals. Stott finished with a 4-over 148 (75-73) on the Blue Course to tie for seventh place in Class 2A, while Meyer carded a 2-under 142 on the White Course to tie for eighth place in Class 3A. The top 10 individuals plus ties receive medals.
Check back for more info.