May 29, 2007

PITTSBURGH, PA. - Several years ago, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association (WPGA) honored former University of North Carolina golfer, Frank Fuhrer, III, by naming one of their annual awards in his honor. The Frank Fuhrer, III Award is presented annually to the western Pennsylvania area's top collegiate golfer.

Fuhrer, who played on the 1978-1981 golf teams, is a three-time All-America (1979-81) and three-time All-ACC performer (1979-81). Fuhrer was selected to the 1981 Walker Cup team and won the prestigious 1981 Western Amateur. A native of Pittsburgh, Fuhrer currently resides in Pittsburgh, and is President and CEO of Frank Fuhrer Wholesale, a beverage distributor.

This year's award is shared by two golfers, Robert Rohanna of Penn State and Mike VanSickle of Marquette.

Rohanna, a junior from Waynesburg, Pa., and VanSickle, a sophomore from Gibsonia, Pa., had remarkably similar years. They each won three tournaments, were selected to the All Big-Ten and All Big East teams respectively, finished fourth and second in their conference championships, had five-six top tens, and were ranked 81 and 85 by Golfweek. VanSickle's father, Gary, is a golf writer for Sports Illustrated. In 2005-06, Rohanna won the award, edging VanSickle. This year they were even closer. The award was first given in 2001-02.