When Carol Onufro officially becomes president of the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association Executive Committee Thursday morning, she will make history – again.
The Johnstown resident is set to become only the second woman to serve as president of the executive committee in the WPGA’s 125-year history. Onufro previously was the first woman to represent Sunnehanna Country Club on the WPGA executive committee within the association’s board of directors.
“It’s an honor to accept this role with the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association,” said Onufro, whose election to the association’s presidency will be confirmed during the WPGA’s executive committee meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday at Sunnehanna.
“There is such a tremendous, storied history in the last 125 years of the WPGA, and I view it as a privilege to play a part in continuing and advancing the legacy of West Penn Golf,” Onufro said.
Onufro, who will also celebrate her 60th birthday Thursday, had served as vice president of the executive committee prior to being elected president.
She previously had served terms as president and vice president of the Women’s Golf Association of Western Pennsylvania. She’s had two terms on the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association board and is a volunteer during the annual Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions.
“It is important when you think back on the 125-year history,” Onufro said of her taking on the role as president. “You look through the list of presidents through that time and there have been some pretty prestigious men that have served in this capacity.
“I’m very proud, but more importantly, I want to focus on what the future holds for us and where we’re going in that direction.”
Claudette Graham, of Allegheny Country Club, was the first woman president of the WPGA in 2018, making Onufro the second woman to hold the title in the past six years.
Mary Beth Morrissey will be named vice president, according to Josh Rountree, WPGA director of communications. He said this will be the first time the president and vice president positions simultaneously will be held by two women.
“I really want to expand outreach,” Onufro said. “I like working on different ways to communicate with the membership. I’d like to have more interactive, video-based emails go out to the membership. I’d also like to see more women participate in WPGA. I want to concentrate on expanding opportunities for juniors to play, both girls and boys.”
Founded in 1899, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association, started by five member clubs, now has nearly 200 member clubs and 34,000 members.
The association conducts 14 individual competitions and 10 team events. It also administers the WPGA Scholarship Fund and the Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame.
