,Belmont Hills Country Club, September 3, 2025
News Summary
The Wheeling Cardinals are set to host the Wheeling Invitational this September, marking a significant moment as it’s their first tournament since the pandemic. With new Head Coach Thadd Obecny at the helm, the program aims to excel in the Mountain East Conference. Eleven regional teams will compete during this two-day event, showcasing a mix of returning veterans and promising talent on both the men’s and women’s teams. The Invitational serves as a crucial early-season test for the new leadership and athlete dynamics, promising an engaging experience for fans.
Wheeling — Big Days Ahead as Cardinals Tee Off a New Era
A fresh breeze is poised to sweep through Belmont Hills Country Club this September as the local golf scene gears up for the Wheeling Invitational. The two-round, two-day event on Thursday, September 4th marks more than just an early-season test; it’s the first time Wheeling hosts a golf tournament since the COVID-19 pandemic and a noteworthy starting line for a program under new leadership.
New coach, new energy
The Cardinals will begin the 2025-2026 swing with a new Head Men’s & Women’s Golf coach, Thadd Obecny. This hire signals a reset and renewed focus on chasing a Mountain East Conference (MEC) Championship. The tone is ambitious: players and staff will be looking to build momentum right away as they open their season at home and test their depth against regional rivals.
Who’s in the field?
Eleven teams from the region will take part in the Wheeling Invitational, and the women’s side will see a familiar cluster of programs on the tee sheet. Participating women’s teams include Millersville, CAL-U, Fairmont State, Point Park, Concord, Bluefield State, West Virginia Wesleyan, West Liberty, and Glenville State, joining the host Cardinals and one more regional entry to complete the lineup.
Format and fan access
It’s a straightforward test: one 18-hole round each day across two days. Fans and followers who can’t make it to Belmont Hills can still keep tabs on every shot and leaderboard swing through live stats provided for the event, with live action and round-by-round numbers available online.
Women’s team — experience in the bag
The women’s squad arrives with a veteran core. Last season saw three golfers play in three regular-season events, and that experience translated into championship results — two of those three advanced to the final day of the MEC Women’s Golf Championships and finished inside the top 20. The top performer for the Cardinals at that conference championship was Keffer, who earned all-conference recognition with a 15th-place finish and a two-day total of 259. Sophomore Brielle Milhoan is back as well; she was the team’s top golfer in last year’s season-opening event and will be a key figure in stabilizing scores early on.
Men’s team — youth and upside
The men’s roster leaned young last season, composed entirely of freshmen and sophomores. Even with that inexperience, the team posted its best finish since 2015, snagging fourth place in a tournament — a sign that talent and potential are already in place. Leading the returners is sophomore Caleb Minson, who averaged 81.2 across seven rounds last season and notched his best showing in the spring with a two-round 155 at the West Liberty Invitational. Expect him to be a stabilizing presence as the young group grows into its roles.
Transfer addition — experience to lean on
The men’s roster gets an experience injection with transfer Zac Collins, who arrives from Davis & Elkins. Collins brings the kind of NCAA Tournament experience that can be infectious in a locker room — the veteran knowledge of how to navigate key rounds and keep composure under pressure.
Schedule quirks to watch
The conference-heavy start of the season is notable. The men begin with three straight MEC tournaments to kick off their slate, while the women face four straight conference events. That packed early schedule will quickly reveal where each side stands and which players can handle back-to-back pressure.
Why this event matters
Beyond being the first home tournament since the pandemic, the Wheeling Invitational is a practical proving ground. A compact, two-day format puts a premium on consistency and focus, and regional rivalry always brings extra juice. For a program with a new coach, returning veterans on the women’s side, a promising young men’s roster, and a seasoned transfer, the Invitational is the first readable page of a season that could tilt toward conference contention.
Quick reminder for fans
If you want to follow the action without being at Belmont Hills, use the live stats stream to track pairings, hole-by-hole scores, and final leaderboards. The one-round-per-day structure makes it easy to catch the most dramatic swings in real time.
FAQ
When and where is the Wheeling Invitational?
The Wheeling Invitational is scheduled for Thursday, September 4th at Belmont Hills Country Club. It is a two-day event with one 18-hole round each day.
How many teams are competing?
Eleven teams from the region will compete in the Invitational. Several women’s programs confirmed include Millersville, CAL-U, Fairmont State, Point Park, Concord, Bluefield State, West Virginia Wesleyan, West Liberty, and Glenville State.
Who is the new coach for Wheeling’s golf teams?
The program introduced Thadd Obecny as the new Head Men’s & Women’s Golf coach for the 2025-2026 season, marking a leadership change heading into the new year.
How can I follow the tournament live?
Live stats will be available for the event, providing hole-by-hole updates and leaderboard tracking for fans and supporters.
Why is this tournament significant?
This is the first golf tournament hosted at Wheeling since the COVID-19 pandemic and serves as an early-season test for a program with a new coach, experienced women’s returners, and a young but promising men’s squad.
Quick Reference Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Wheeling Invitational |
| Date | Thursday, September 4th (two rounds across two days) |
| Location | Belmont Hills Country Club |
| Format | Two-round event — one 18-hole round per day |
| Teams | 11 regional teams (women’s participants include Millersville, CAL-U, Fairmont State, Point Park, Concord, Bluefield State, West Virginia Wesleyan, West Liberty, Glenville State, plus host and another regional entry) |
| New Head Coach | Thadd Obecny (2025-2026 season) |
| Notable returners | Women: Keffer (15th at MEC Championships, 259 total), Brielle Milhoan (sophomore). Men: Caleb Minson (sophomore, 81.2 avg, 155 two-round best at West Liberty). |
| Coverage | Live stats available for real-time scoring and leaderboards |
| Season note | First tournament at Wheeling since the COVID-19 pandemic; men start with three straight MEC events, women start with four straight conference events |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Wheeling Cardinals News
- Harvard Crimson News
- Kent State Sports News
- WRUF Headlines
- ETSU Bucs News
- Wikipedia: Golf
- Google Search: Golf Championships
- Google Scholar: Golf Tournaments
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf
- Google News: Golf News
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