Golf is a universal sport. This year’s Porter Cup has competitors coming from 23 states and 12 countries. Players with different backgrounds and unique cultures will bring their talents to Niagara Falls Country Club, July 26-30.

But three local players, Chris Covelli, Jake Katz and Gavin Hall are looking to keep the trophy close to home. 

Chris Covelli of Buffalo, NY, is trying to put his golf game back together. A 2005 Nichols School graduate, Covelli was one of the best to ever play at the school. In his sophomore year, he was a NYSAIS state champion and in his junior and senior year he was runner-up at the NYSAIS state championships. From Nichols, Covelli went on to play collegiate golf at Florida Golf Coast University while also earning a degree in business management. After his freshman year, he shot a 3-under-par 67 in the Porter Cup qualifier and gained a spot in the prestigious amateur tournament. 

Following college, Covelli had big plans for his future. “When I first graduated I intended on turning professional at the end of the summer of 2009. However, I struggled with my play and lost passion for the game so I hung up the sticks and started working at The Travel Team for my mom,” said Covelli. 

Since returning to the game, he has been playing in local tournaments and national qualifiers. On June 27, Covelli continued to his comeback by shooting a 2-under-par 68 to qualify for this year’s Porter Cup. 

“I’ve been playing really well and can't wait to tee it up in the Porter Cup again” said Covelli.

As for the future, Covelli plans to try and qualify for the U.S. Amateur after the Porter Cup. He may turn professional for next fall’s Q-school. 

Jake Katz of Williamsville, NY, will try to contend in the Porter Cup for the second straight year. In 2010, Katz went into the final-round tied with Golfweek NCAA Player of the Year Russell Henley and Stanford standout David Chung. Unfortunately, it did not turn out the way Katz wanted as he finished the tournament tied for 10th.

Katz recently graduated from SUNY Binghamton and is one of the most decorated golfers to ever play for the school. In his senior year as a Bearcat, he broke the all-time scoring record in a season with a stroke average of 73.6 in 11 tournaments. He set a new 18-hole mark with a 6-under-par 66 in the Lafayette tournament his junior year. Katz was a medalist four times throughout his collegiate career, with three titles coming in his junior year. In 2010, he was named Tri- Player of the Year.

Katz will stay amateur throughout the summer, playing in the Porter Cup, then attempting to qualify for the U.S. Amateur. In the fall, he will continue his golf career at the next level by going to Q-school, putting dental school on hold.

Gavin Hall of Pittsford, NY, is one of the nation’s top collegiate recruits in the Class of 2013. Last year, at the age of 15, Hall set the record for the lowest 18-hole score in the U.S. Junior with an astounding 10-under-par 62 during the event’s second round. A week following the U.S. Junior, he tied for second place at the Porter Cup, sharing the leaderboard with some of the best amateurs in the world.

However, this year has been difficult for Hall. Following basketball season in mid-March, he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his wrist to repair damage from the wear and tear of his basketball and golf seasons. The surgery was successful and Hall was on the path to a full recovery. He played well in the AJGA's Thunderbird International, in which he finish tied for 11th and then went on to play in the New York State Public High School championships where he won with an eagle on the 18th hole. Two weeks later during a practice round at the Monroe Invitational, he hit a shot fat and re-injured his wrist. 

"My wrist is coming along, resting is the priority right now," Hall said. "Hopefully I can get my game in shape for the Porter Cup. To this point, I've only been able to practice my short game, but hopefully I can get my whole game in shape within the next couple of weeks."

Though only entering his junior year of high school, Hall has started looking at colleges. "I am considering schools in the ACC, SEC, Pac 12 and Big 12 conferences," Hall said. It doesn’t narrow it down, but one can assume he is looking at some of the top college programs in the country.

Each of these young, talented players is looking to win their first major amateur tournament and there’s no better place to do it so close to home at the Porter Cup.