33rd Women’s Coal Scuttle Championship

Wyoming Valley reclaims Scuttle crown at Berwick

BERWICK, Pa. — Molly Gorman announced on the first tee that she would be leaving her phone behind for all 18 holes of the 33^rd Women’s Coal Scuttle at Berwick Golf Club (par 71, 4,837 yards).

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Playing blind of score, Gorman was unaware of her standings until she approached the 18^th green. That’s when she spotted Wyoming Valley teammate Kathy Goeringer in celebration.

The women of Wyoming Valley have waited 1,815 days to reclaim their crown. They’ve walked past the 2024 Men’s Coal Scuttle trophy on display in the club’s dining room. But now, they relish in the excitement of showing off the women’s trophy, and their home course in 2026.

Wyoming Valley scored 93 points to secure the victory over reigning champion Huntsville Golf Club (87). Huntsville was seeking its fifth consecutive title.

Gorman earned individualist honors and led her team by carding 1-over par 72 and contributing 35 points in gross stableford format.

Gorman, 38, of Forty Fort, Pa., is a fourth grade teacher at Wyoming Valley West.

“I wanted no part of my phone because of distractions, especially with work. I just wanted to keep my mental state where it needed to be and focus on the game,” said Gorman. “I didn’t want to get distracted with emails or anything, so I made it very clear I would not be the one using the GGID.”

Her focus paid off, as she carded four birdies, three of which were on the back nine.

“I went driver, then wedge, and then found a really good line for a putt,” said Gorman about her birdie on No. 12 (par 4, 291 yards). “I saw a line from someone who putted before me, I took the line and ran with it, and just hit a firm putt.”

Gorman adjusted her putting after the turn, which proved to pay off. “I made a really long putt, about 30 feet,” said Gorman in regard to her birdie on No. 14 (par 3, 91 yards). “I was short on the front nine with most of my putts, so I kept telling myself ‘just make sure you get it to the hole’”.

Gorman’s ties to Wyoming Valley run deep.

“My dad used to drop me off there when I was really young, like five of six years old,” said Gorman.

Her love of the game progressed as she tore her way through the Lawler Junior tour, then took her talents to Towson University.

Following in the footsteps of Gorman, Arden Brunn, 17, of Hanover Township, Pa. was the second highest scorer for Wyoming Valley, and third overall with 31 points. Brunn was a standout this season on the Lawler Junior Tour, finishing second in this year’s Tournament of Champions.

Brunn, Wyoming Valley women’s champion, joined the Coal Scuttle team this year.

“This is a new environment, I came in a little blind today and didn’t know what to expect,” said Brunn. “It’s a different atmosphere than high school matches. It’s a cool feeling being the youngest, but I’m used to it, so I don’t really think about it.”

Rounding out the top three scores that count toward the team total was Deborah Mileski, 71, of Hanover Township, Pa. Mileski added 27 points and finished ninth overall. Barbara Pagana, 76, of Selinsgrove, Pa., finished second overall and first for runner-up Huntsville with 32 points.

A team victory in a coal scuttle championship is usually accompanied by first right to home course advantage for the following year’s contest. However, due to prior commitments, Huntsville relinquished that privilege to 2024 runner-up Berwick. Now, Wyoming Valley looks toward 2026 with excitement at the opportunity to host.

“It’s a wonderful feeling. We missed out on hosting in 2020 because of COVID-19, but now it’s finally coming to Wyoming Valley,” said Kathy Goeringer, 67, of Tunkhannock, Pa.

“It’s exciting, we work really hard, and we had a strong team. I’m happy to bring it back home for everybody,” said Gorman.

On her way out, medalist glass in one hand, cellphone in the other, Gorman returned to the outside world. Whether she was alerting the masses of the victory, or answering back-to-school emails, she did so as a champion.

GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The organization’s 345 Member Clubs and 130,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.