McKayla Kerle Signs To Continue Academic And Athletic Career At PennWest-Clarion

Clarion Area Golf standout McKayla Kerle, Daughter of Jay and Jackie Kerle of Shippenville, signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her academic and athletic career at Pennsylvania Western University – Clarion, on Tuesday, December 20th, at the Clarion Area High School Library.

McKayla will play for Golden Eagles’ Coach Gregg Fritz.

Coach Fritz had fine things to say about his new recruit. “I have been watching Mckayla’s scores for the past couple of years including being a two time District 9 Champion. I was there to watch her shoot 75 in the Happy Valley Invitational for a 3rd place finish on a very difficult golf course and against a strong field. I saw that all aspects of McKayla’s golf game are very solid and impressive and can’t wait for her to bring them to Clarion.

“Our program is definitely on an upswing as we played nine rounds this fall and three out of nine were lower than any round in my previous five years as coach.

“Mckayla will make an immediate impact on our program and we look forward to lower scores in the future.”

McKayla is a four year starter and letter winner for the Bobcat Boys team (2019-2022); Clarion Area doesn’t field a Girls squad.

She was a 3rd Team All-Conference as a freshman, 2nd Team All-Conference as a sophomore and 1st Team in both her junior and senior years.

McKayla had the fifth lowest scoring average in the KSAC in the Boys overall standings as a junior and third lowest as a senior.

McKayla qualified for the District Nine Girls Class-AA Championships all four years, claiming back-to-back titles in her junior and senior years, qualifying for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Association (PIAA) State Championships. She finished second at districts as a freshman. A different format was used then and she advanced to the PIAA Regional Qualifier.

McKayla, along with several other members of the Bobcats’ Golf Team compete during the summer months, in the prestigious Great Lakes Junior Golf Tour (GLJGT). She won both the Girls Season Championship and Tournament Championship three consecutive years (2020, 2021 and 2022).

She was the Clarion Oaks Women’s Club Champion in 2021 and 2022. The Championship is open to girls/women from all age groups. She also finished second in the in the Tam O’Shanter Open (Hermitage) Girls 16-18 Division in 2021.

The Bobcat Boys Golf Team won the KSAC Championship, during each of her four years with the team, and won the District Nine Class-AA Title during her junior and senior seasons.

It took a while for McKayla to make her decision. “I have spent the past year trying to plan my future after high school. I knew I wanted to go to college and golf but didn’t know where or in what I wanted to major. I considered several universities, met with their coaches and considered their offers.”

But when all was said and done, she found what she wanted at her own back door. “I recently made the decision to attend Pennsylvania Western University, Clarion for several reasons. Out of all the coaches that I have been in contact with, Clarion’s Coach Fritz showed the most passion, commitment and determination in recruiting me. I felt most comfortable talking to him and played well whenever he came to my tournaments.

“Coach Fritz is working hard to strengthen the Clarion University program and I feel like I can help him with that, while at the same time he can help push me to play to my full potential. I feel that Coach Fritz will help me work towards my goals so that I can be successful both on the course and in the classroom. I also like that it is close to home.

“I am still undecided as far as a major. My current plans are to play golf for the university while exploring my options for a future career path.”

McKayla’s family has been so instrumental in her growth as a player. Her father, Jay is the Bobcats’ head coach, her mother Jackie is the assistant coach and brother Kam, also a fine golfer for the Cats, is there as they help each other along.

McKayla shared her gratitude. “I would like to thank my family for all the time and support that they have invested, helping me to become the person and golfer that I am today. They have always pushed me to do my best and provided me with the tools and opportunities to get better.

“I especially want to thank my parents for putting my golf ahead of their own. They never hesitated taking time off work to drive my brother, Kam and me to all the early morning, long distance golf tournaments. Having Kam as a brother and a successful junior golfer has motivated me, as well as created quite the sibling rivalry. We feed off each other’s success on the golf course and it has brought us closer together over the past few years.

“I could not have gotten to where I am today without my family, and I am grateful for their commitment to me.”

Someone else has been very instrumental in the success of McKayla and her teammates. “I would also like to thank Dave Brueck, Clarion High School volunteer golf coach and family friend. He has spent countless hours working with me and the golf team. Dave has given me rides to practice rounds when my parents could not and is always willing to help me whenever I am struggling with any aspect of my game. I appreciate all the time and snacks that you have provided.”

Coach Brueck shared this about McKayla and her family, “I’ve known her father since he was about sixteen and I’ve been privileged to be with that family and be treated like part of that family, to be able to help him and then be able to help his kids in anyway that I could. it’s really been enjoyable.   

“Her (McKayla’s) soul is as good as her golf game. She’s a wonderful person, very quick wit and a good student of the game of golf.     

“I’m just sure that she is going to continue with her golf career in college and the sky’s the limit for her. She can be as good as she wants to be.   

“I just hope I get to comment on Kam when it’s his turn. The rivalry and the intensity of their competitiveness with each other has helped her (McKayla’s) game as well. I’ve known the kids since they were babies.”

Speaking as coaches, Jay and Jackie shared, “McKayla has helped the Clarion high school golf team tremendously over the past four years. She has been a very consistent player. McKayla has held a starting position on the team for every match throughout her high school career.

“McKayla has an abundance of drive and determination to play her best when she is playing competitively. She has a strong desire to win, and her steadfast consistency has helped her achieve many good rounds of golf. As her coaches, we never had to worry about her throwing in the towel. If she was having a bad hole, she didn’t dwell on it, and she never gave up. She is tough, both mentally and physically.

“Because of her consistency and determination, we have been very successful as a golf team over the past four years. McKayla has helped us win invitationals, titles, and championships.”

The Clarion Area School District has been there for McKayla as well. “I would like to thank Athletic Director, Nancy Mills, and all the staff at Clarion Area that have supported me throughout my high school career along with all my teammates over the past four years.”

Clarion Area Superintendent Dr. Joe Carrico said, “It has been a pleasure watching McKayla craft her golfing abilities over the past few years.  Golf is truly a family affair and it is nice to see all of her hard work pay off!  We are confident that McKayla will continue her winning ways at the collegiate level!“

Clarion Area High School Principal Natalie Miller-Martini shared, “Both Mrs. (Nancy) Mills, our Athletic Director, and I are very proud of McKayla’s dedication in pursuing the sport of golf and all of her accomplishments.  

“Penn West University is lucky to have her expertise for next school year.  We look forward to seeing McKayla’s future accomplishments in the next chapter of her academic journey.”

McKayla has high praise for the two gentlemen in charge of the Great Lakes Junior Golf Tour. “I would like to thank Jay Willow, Cathedral Prep Golf Coach, and Bruce Chase, Erie High Golf Coach, for running the Great Lakes Junior Golf Tour. This is a stand alone junior golf experience. Without tournament golf, I wouldn’t be the player I am today.

“This tour helped me gain valuable competitive experience, while building some friendships along the way. These tournaments allowed me to play on some of the nicest courses Erie has to offer. It was great to play against other competitive female golfers that were around my same age.”

Upon learning of McKayla’s college choice, Coach Willow said, “This is great news.

“McKayla is an amazing young lady and a gifted golfer. It has been our (Bruce and my) absolute pleasure to have gotten to know the Kerle family over the last several years as they have been mainstays on our tour. Jackie, Jay, McKayla and Kam (and faithful weimeraner Bogey) have been summer fixtures in northwestern PA and we are happy if we have contributed to McKayla’s success.

“In McKayla, Penn West Clarion is getting a quiet, but fierce competitor, who plays with a calmness that all junior golfers should aspire to. It’s exciting that her golf career will continue in the PSAC which will allow her family to continue their tireless travels in support of her success.

“We too, look forward to watching her compete against some of the golfers in Division II and have no doubt that she will accept the challenge to shine on the college stage.”

Coach Chase had this to say, “This is awesome news ! 

“McKayla has added so much to our Junior Tour. 

“Our events are two day tournaments and primarily at courses in the Erie area.  McKayla and Kam (and parents of course) would make every event for at least the past three or four years and this is traveling 100 miles each way back and forth. 

“McKayla’s mom would tell me many times that when they get home from day one of the tournaments, McKayla would be right to their course in Clarion, playing another 9 holes and practicing.  The next morning, up by 5:30 and on the road to the second day of the GLJT event. 

“This is the desire of a champion. 

“And she won many of the events, Jay would be able to give the exact number.

“She had an unfortunate accident being hit by a golf ball in the middle of her back from (another player’s) tee shot in the practice round of the PIAA State Championship at Penn State, this past October.  She was in such pain, she couldn’t bend over to put her ball on a tee let only make a full swing at the ball. 

“Many contestants would have withdrawn…. not McKayla.  She made it through both tournament rounds of the championship; she wasn’t letting the pain stop her. 

“This is just two examples of her dedication, competitiveness and love for the sport. 

I’m so happy that she has chosen Penn West – Clarion, this should be a great fit, for her and mom and dad will be nearby and able to watch her grow into a collegiate champion that I’m sure will happen. 

“I’m looking forward to watching her career and seeing her play when she’s at the Gannon and Mercyhurst Tournaments in the Erie area. 

“Fantastic news.”

McKayla shared something about the good folks at the local golf course. “Lastly, I would like to give a big thank you to Karen and Dana Davis, owners of Clarion Oaks Golf Course and all the members at Clarion Oaks for all their support over the years. They have been some of my biggest fans and supporters in celebrating my accomplishments.

“Thank you for always putting the signs on the pro shop doors, the bulletin board of newspaper clippings and the full-page congratulations in the state tournament brochures.

“You guys are great and another reason I chose Clarion, I don’t want to leave my Clarion Oaks family.”

Karen Davis said, “It’s been a pleasure watching McKayla grow from a girl into an accomplished young women!!

‘She has worked very hard at her golfing skills to reach her goals that she has set for herself!!

“We know she will be successful at whatever she sets out to do in life!!”

They spoke as McKayla’s coaches earlier, now Jay and Jackie share their thoughts as her parents. “We are proud, and at times, a little surprised by how much golf means to McKayla.

“For the first eleven years of her childhood, she never even liked golf. Going to the golf course was almost torture for everyone involved. Jay, Kameron and I wanted to be there, but it was not a preferred activity for McKayla. Although she did not enjoy playing golf, she had no choice but to accompany her family, often making our golf outings miserable with her attitude. She had her own set of golf clubs but preferred to ride around in the golf cart with hopes of being allowed to drive it occasionally.

“After a while she started to play the par 3 holes, which at most courses is only about 4 holes.

“In 2015, her brother Kameron started playing in U.S. Kids tournaments and McKayla would have to tag along. After walking around a few of those tournaments with him, she decided that she should start playing golf, too. McKayla started playing more and more golf, and in 2016 she was competing in U.S. Kids tournaments alongside her brother.

“The late start in golf didn’t really impact her performance; she seemed to have a natural talent for the game. Once she decided to give golf a fair chance, she realized that she enjoyed the challenges the game offered. Over the years, golf has become a passion of hers and one that she will be able to participate in for the rest of her life.

“McKayla, we are so proud of all your accomplishments and cannot wait to see what lies ahead for you! We are excited that someone else will get to coach you now, and we get to play a different role.

“We are looking forward to becoming full time spectators, encouragers and your number one fans.”

Join Clarion Sports Zone in congratulating McKayla and her family, the Bobcat Golf Team, Clarion Area School District, PennWest – Clarion, and all the other individuals and entities that have been part of this great journey!!!! You Make Us Clarion Proud!!!!

(Thank you to all who contributed to this article with comments and to those whose photos were used!!)