Many golf fans are still sad that the PGA now holds the Senior PGA Championship at Firestone Country Club, concluding today, instead of the WGC event that was a staple on the regular PGA Tour calendar.

However, this year’s Senior event was just that: a six-day festival with many events surrounding the Senior PGA golfers that included something for everyone.

Golfers could enjoy watching, and amateurs even competing in the Pro-Am, the practice round, four days of outstanding professional golf, concerts and opportunities for juniors.

The Senior PGA teed off, not on the golf course, but at Hoban High School for an outstanding concert presented by the Wentz Family Foundation of Hudson.

The event featured country star Jake Owen along with his friend and golfer John Daly, who joined Owen onstage.

All of the ticket proceeds from the concert were donated to local organizations

Junior golfers in the Junior PGA leagues across northeast Ohio were invited to the Inaugural Firestone Junior Cup. Eight teams competed on Firestone’s Fazio Course with the team representing the First Tee of Akron earning the victory.

With the championship concluding today and a concert by the Akron Symphony Orchestra rounding out the evening, the Senior PGA Championship truly demonstrated that golf is a family sport.

The Ohio Open

The Ohio Open, presented by the Northern Ohio PGA, celebrates 100 years of outstanding golf this week as professionals and amateurs compete on the newly-renovated Westfield Country Club Tuesday through Thursday.

Local golfers include Mitch Camp, Alan Keshock, Tyler McHugh and Russel Papa of Aurora; Xander Moran of Kent; Nathan Tarter of Mogadore; Jake Kruegel and Justin Long of Ravenna, and Randy Dietz and Darin Hudak of Tallmadge.

The first-round tee times begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

Congratulations

 

Isabella Mineo, 2021 graduate of Kent Roosevelt, receiving the Elizabeth Pfeiffer Kloskoski Pride and Tradition Golf Scholarship following the Dick Pfeiffer Golf Tournament.

The Pfeiffer Scramble included a team of 33 teams along with generous sponsors and donors.

Junior success

Junior golfers competed at Mill Creek in the Northern Ohio PGA Junior 18-hole series with Madolyn Kost of Kent winning the girls 11 to 15 age division.

Kost fired a solid 5-over par round including an eagle on the par 5 ninth hole.

Brooklyn Millard of Aurora earned runner-up in the girls 16 to 19 age division, firing a round of 7-over par 77.

Devon Carpenter, on the girls team for Field, and Mineo played their way to 13th and 14th place, respectively.

The state of golf

Several years ago, golf did not seem to have a rosy future. Golf courses were closing, high schools were finding it hard to field teams and tee times were available just by driving to the golf course.

Golf has enjoyed a resurgence in northeast Ohio.

Tournament directors report closed tournaments long before the actual deadlines, youth tournaments, junior events and clinics are filled.

Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course has a junior league teaching golf to 40 juniors on Sunday nights as parents caddy or drive their youth golfers for nine holes and instruction.

Windmill Lakes Golf Course offers lessons on their new driving range and youth as young as 2½ are already taking lessons at Barrington Golf Club in a Little Bear Clinic.

Golf is the sport we can all play together, no matter the age or even the ability. Scrambles and fundraisers allow even beginning golfers to contribute while having a great time.

Adults and youth only need to call local courses or ask their golfing friends for information about clinics, lessons and playing lessons for all ages.

Walk or ride, golf is a sport for everyone.

A first tournament

Be sure and check the calendar for information about the Portage County Amateurs. If you junior golfer has not experienced a tournament, the Kids Tournament at Sunny Hill on July 18 is designed to be a first event for many youths. Local coaches are on the golf course, high school golfers help junior golfers both with rules and caddying and parents are encouraged to walk along and cheer for their young golfers.

Find a tournament

Golf outings and events are filling up the calendar. New this year to the R/C calendar is additional information including start time and contact if available.

Please text 330-206-9083 or email golffam2@gmail.com to be added to the golf calendar this season.

Portage County Amateurs

Registration forms for the Record-Courier Portage County Amateurs presented by Windmill Lakes are available at host courses, via email by request to golffam2@gmail.com, text 330-206-9083, or by calling Windmill Lakes 330-297-0440.

July 18: 12th Portage County Kids Amateur, Sunny Hill Golf Course, Brimfield.

July 19-20: 14th Matt Mishler Junior Portage County Amateur, Sunny Hill Golf Course, Brimfield and Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Ravenna.

July 24-25: 91st Portage County Amateur, Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Ravenna and Sugar Bush Golf Course, Garrettsville.

Aug. 28-29: 51st Senior Portage County Amateur, Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Ravenna and Sugar Bush Golf Course, Garrettsville.

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday-Thursday: NOPGA Ohio Open Championship, Westfield Country Club, Westfield Center. (Info: thenorthernohiopga.com)

July 12-13: Ohio Girls Junior, Marion Country Club, Marion. (Info: Ohio State Women’s Golf Association)

July 14-15: NOPGA 36-hole Junior Series, Windmill Lakes, Ravenna. (Info: thenorthernohiopga.com)

July 27-28: NOPGA Junior Tour Championship, Club Walden, Aurora. (Info: thenorthernohiopga.com)

Aug. 6: Big Brothers and Sisters, Sugarbush Golf Club, Garrettsville. Registration at noon, shotgun start at 1 p.m. $95 per person. (Additional info andrea.neidert@bbsportage.org)

Aug. 14: Rootstown Sports Boosters, Sunny Hill Golf Course, Brimfield.

Aug. 20: 35th Sugarbush Golf Classic to benefit Hattie Larlham, Sugarbush Golf Course, Garrettsville. 7:45 a.m. shotgun start morning flight; 1:30 p.m. shotgun start afternoon flight. (Info: Audrey.Arend@hattielarlham.org)

USGA EVENTS (Register @ usga.org)

Aug. 12: U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier, Avon Oaks Country Club, Avon. (Register by Aug. 4)

Aug. 19: U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Qualifier, Portage Country Club, Akron. (Register by Aug. 4)

Oct. 4: U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifier, Sand Ridge Golf Club, Chardon. (Register by Aug. 11)