Nick Sabol, a 1994 Freedom High School graduate, was inducted into the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame on Thursday in Rock Hill, SC.
Sabol was inducted for his accomplishments at Catawba College, where he was a four-year member of the Indians' men’s golf team.
Considered one of the best golfers in Catawba history, he was a four-time All-SAC first-team selection. In 1995-96, he earned both SAC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors after leading Catawba to the SAC men’s golf title and its first berth ever in the NCAA Division II National Tournament.
Individually, Sabol was SAC tournament champion in 1995, posting the best round in Catawba history by a freshman or at a SAC Tournament, with a second-round 66. He was named a National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) honorable mention All-American in 1995 and 1998. He was also named NGCA Division II Freshman of the Year in 1995.
During his career, Sabol won four tournaments and posted a career scoring average of 75.33. The best season came in 1998 when he posted a 74.32 average and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship as an individual.
Over the years, Sabol served as an assistant pro at Fox Run Golf Course, Montour Heights Country Club and Harmony Ridge Golf Club. Currently, he's one of the teaching pros at Rowan Road Driving Range in Cranberry Township.
"I was very honored to get into the (SAC) Hall of Fame, especially as the first golfer to get in from Catawba," said Sabol, a 2013 inductee into the Catawba Sports Hall of Fame.
TSPGA hosts first major
The Tri-State Section PGA will hold its first major tournament of the season Monday and Tuesday when the Tri-State Open will be played at Williams Golf & Country Club in Weirton, WV.
Among the pros from The Times' coverage area in the field are John Aber, Allegheny Country Club; Frank Blazewick, Stonecrest Golf Course; David Yokitis, Connoquenessing Country Club; Zack Street, Montour Heights Country Club; David Malatak, Sewickley Heights Golf Club; Jim Cichra, RMU Golf Dome; Chuck Scally, Scally's Golf Center; and Moon Township's Roy Vucinich.
One of the amateurs in the field is Brighton Township's Lee Namola.
Heinz Field hosting Topgolf
Topgolf is bringing its iconic experience to Pittsburgh this weekend. Topgolf Crush Pittsburgh will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Heinz Field.
Topgolf games can be played by all ages and skill levels with micro-chipped golf balls providing players with instant feedback on each shot's accuracy and distance.
At the 40-some Topgolf courses in the United States, players hit balls from a three-deck driving range and aim for dartboard-like targets on a 215-yard outfield. The farther a shot goes and the closer to the pin, the more points the player receives. Each Topgolf venue features climate-controlled hitting bays for year-round play, food, beverage, music and HDTVs on which various sports games are shown, such as football, basketball and golf.
The only Topgolf range in Pennsylvania is being built in Bridgeville and will open this summer.
Tickets for Topgolf Crush Pittsburgh range from $55 for general admission to $200 for VIP admission.
All Topgolf participants at Heinz Field get to hit golf balls from under the scoreboard in the South end zone onto the field. There is a one-hour game time per ticket holder.
For more information, visit www.heinzfield.com/topgolf