The sophomore shot 7-under-par 137 over two days on the Penn State University White Course to capture the Class 2A individual title at the PIAA Golf Championships. Powell shot a 4-under 68 in the first round and a 3-under 69 in the second round. Then, he carded a 2-under 70 to help the Cavaliers repeat as Class 2A team champs with a state-record score of 6-under 282.
Family: Father, Will; mother, Pam; sister, Tiff
Coach: Christi Dorece
Going into the tournament, did you feel like you potentially could win: A couple weeks before the tournament, I went to my golf coach Alex Knoll down in Stroudsburg. He’s helped me out a lot the past eight years with my swing and has been a great coach for most of my life playing golf. He gave me some good tips and got my swing back in a really good spot. That gave me the confidence to go out to Penn State and win. I went in there with confidence and got the job done.
You birdied two of the first three holes in the first round and three of the first four in the second round. How did those fast starts help build momentum: Definitely was a crucial part in both my days. Getting off to a hot start lets you find your rhythm and pace yourself out throughout the entire round. It gets you in a more comfortable spot because you have more shots to work with.
You had three bogeys in the tournament and each time you came back and birdied the next hole: It was great responding back with a birdie. It makes it seem like nothing happened. Getting those birdies put me right back on the right track and got my round going as usual.
Anthony LaBoda from Fairview made a charge up the standings on the second day. What was your mindset in protecting your lead: I just told myself to keep playing my own game. I was playing great leading up to it and in the tournament the past two days. I told myself to just stay in it and worry about myself. If that kid ended up beating me by charging and making more birdies, it happens. The only thing I can control is my game.
What was it like coming up the 18th hole with a two-shot lead: It definitely was scary hitting the tee shot. I didn’t hit driver, I think I pulled out a hybrid just so I could put it somewhere in play. Then I laid up, got the ball on the green and two-putted. That was my plan the entire time. Get on the green in three and two-putt for par to win the thing.
What did you feel when the ball dropped in the hole for par to clinch the title, especially with a large gallery looking on: It felt amazing. A big relief and weight off my shoulders. Everything felt much better after that hole.
It didn’t look like you were feeling pressure: I was trying to keep my cool. Sometimes I used to get worked up after bad holes and it would get the best of me for the entire round. But this tournament I thought I did a great job of controlling my emotions and keep on playing.
What does winning the title mean to you: It means a lot. It shows the amount of work I’ve put in is starting to pay out. It definitely feels great.
Then what was it like to go out the next day and help the team repeat as state champs in record fashion: That felt just as good. Being able to win it as a team two years in a row felt great. I felt really confident about our team leading up to the state championship. We have a lot of great seniors and a lot of great starters.
What is it about your team that makes it so good and so special: We have a great relationship on and off the course. We play golf the entire summer together almost every day. We hang out off the course as well and that just builds the relationship. That ends up making us a stronger team. We have a great bond.
Many of the golfers, yourself included, will be back next season. Any talk yet of winning three in a row: There’s been some talk about it. I hope it’s possible. We should have four really solid kids next year.
Favorite teams: In MLB, I root for the (Philadelphia) Phillies. Football, I’m a (Washington) Commanders fan. College football I’m a Penn State fan. And basketball, the (Philadelphia) 76ers.
Favorite food: Any type of pasta
Cake or pie: Cake
Favorite school subject: Math. I just like it because I’m good at it, I guess.
Athletes I admire: Tiger Woods. I love his mentality and his desire to win. His mentality is fierce, but he also has very good sportsmanship. Also Scottie Scheffler. He’s a nice guy and is also very good at golf. I’m inspired by him to become a better golfer.
If I could have any superpower, it would be: Teleporting.
If I could play any golf course, it would be: Augusta National. Just the history behind it. To be able to play that would be such an honor.
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Scottie Scheffler, Tiger Woods, one of my parents so they could experience it with me. The stuff they’ve done for me I couldn’t even come close to matching.
Future plans: I definitely want to play college golf. I don’t have any place in particular yet. I’m just going to let it guide me to wherever it takes me. I might like to study finance or some sort of engineering.