Team Murphy and Team Huskins pose together for a photo at Saturday’s Portage Sports golf tournament at Sunny Hill in Brimfield.
Paisley Nader/Portage Sports

By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The 2024 Portage Sports Foursome Scramble Golf Tournament teed off at Sunny Hill Golf Course on Saturday.

Crestwood volleyball’s Audrey Fusci (left) and Windham volleyball’s Quinn Justham pose for a photo together in between their volleyball shots on Saturday.
Paisley Nader/Portage Sports

It was the first golf tournament for Portage Sports and featured foursomes from throughout Northeast Ohio.

Unique to any other golf tournament, the Portage Sports event featured an All-Sports Battle component that incorporated high school student-athletes from multiple sports.

The concept was not only an opportunity to spotlight some of Portage County’s top student leaders and standout athletes, but also introduced an element of fun for the tournament.

Each athlete used the skill from their specific sport to assist golfers throughout the round.

Golfers Samantha Clark (Streetsboro) and Austin Biggin (Rootstown) provided drives off the tee.

Baseball player Kayden Smith (Field) and softball player Abby White (Rootstown) used their strong arms to throw balls from the tee box or approach shots.

Rootstown softball’s Abby White (left) and Streetsboro golf’s Samantha Clark at Saturday’s Portage Sports golf tournament.
Paisley Nader/Portage Sports

Ice hockey standouts Dominic France and Alex Simms (Kent Roosevelt) used their hockey sticks to help with par and birdie putting attempts.

Soccer players Erin Hallis (Crestwood) and Caleb Brastine (Field) punted and kicked their soccer balls from the tee box or on approach shots.

And volleyball players Audrey Fusci (Crestwood) and Quinn Justham (Windham) served their volleyballs onto the green to aid golfers.

By the end of the tournament, 12 groups finished their round under-par, with Team Jenior winning the championship at 14-under on the par-71 course. Team Evanovich was the tournament runner-up, shooting a 12-under 59.

The winner of the longest-drive competition was won by Abby Mowrer for the women and Aaron Pendergast for the men.

The winner of the closest to the pin was Blaik Wurlitzer.

The Mogadore Athletic Boosters foursome poses with Field baseball standout Kayden Smith (far left) during Saturday’s golf tournament at Sunny Hill.
Paisley Nader/Portage Sports

A special thank you to all of the sponsors for the tournament, including Joe’s Barbecue, Meyers Fence Company, H&M Black Nitride+, Blasiole’s Pizza, Eldreth Photography, Brimfield Insurance, Sarchione Chevrolet Garrettsville, Amy Adelman Retirement Services, Steve Colecchi, Big Red Community Foundation, Bird and Robyn McKenzie, Rootstown End Zone Club, Ben Curtis Family Foundation, Daystar Auto Group, Vesta Home Design, Crafted Meadery, Portage Community Bank, Jack Kohl Realty, Foundation 59, Power Tool Repair, Mongoose Motorsports, Mogadore Athletic Boosters and Rootstown Wrestling Club.

An extra special thank you to all of the volunteers that helped throughout the day! Susan Jenior and Bernie Jenior, Tom Nader Sr., Kyle Nader, along with Kevin, Jamie and Annaliese Nichols, Alex Blake and Michelle Huskins!

Team Roberts take time for a photo in between holes on Saturday.
Paisley Nader/Portage Sports