By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Ravenna hosted the annual Yank Heisler Memorial Tournament at Windmill Lakes last week, with 26 high school teams competing.

Jeff Heisler talks to golfers prior to the Yank Heisler Memorial Golf Tournament last week.
Susan Jenior/Portage Sports

As teams gathered on the practice green prior to the shotgun start, they were welcomed by a special guest.

Jeff Heisler, son of the late Yank Heisler, was introduced by Terry Kekic, Ravens head coach, to the golfers.

Heisler welcomed the golfers and reminded the players about his father’s success at Ravenna.

“He and Jack Nicklaus are the only two golfers in Ohio golf history to win the state championship back-to-back,” said Heisler.

In addition to earning the Ohio individual championship in 1965 and 1966, Heisler was also an all-star athlete in basketball and football.

Heisler was inducted into the Ravenna Hall of Fame, recognizing his athletic accomplishments as well as his business leadership.

Jeff Heisler attended University School. His team qualified for the state tournament in 2003 as Heisler finished fourth in the state in Division II.

Amherst Steele won the team tournament at this year’s Heisler Memorial.

Mogadore (351) had the best score of local teams, earning 11th place.

James Morgan, a Southeast sophomore, fired the best local score on the Par-71 Windmill Lakes fairways, a 78.

MADDIE KOST

A member of the Kent Roosevelt girls golf team, Kost had a week to remember, earning medalist honors at the Hudson Explorer morning flight and shooting a career low (66) at the first Suburban League Tournament of the season.

Kost then headed to the Peggy Kirk Bell Tour Championship in Southern Pines, NC.

Kost competed in the first two rounds, firing an 81 and 79, respectively, to finish at 16-over-par and miss the cut to the top to the top-30 golfers by only one stroke.

The senior rejoins the Riders on Tuesday for the Canfield girls tournament at Mill Creek Golf Club in Boardman.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

Suburban League Girls Tournament No. 1

It is worth noting again the outstanding golf played by local girls in the Suburban League American Conference Tournament at Old Avalon Golf Course in Warren.

On the Par-71 fairways, the girls from Portage County owned three of the top-four scores in the event, all shooting under-par.

Brooklyn Millard of Aurora (65), Maddie Kost of Kent Roosevelt (66) and Gracyn Vidovic of Aurora (69) had no problem navigating 18-hole course.

Only Isabeblla Goyette of Medina Highland spoiled a clean Portage County sweep, firing a 67 to lead her Hornets to the tournament championship.

Collectively, the three Portage County golfers were 13-under-par.

MEDALISTS OF THE WEEK

SAMANTHA CLARK, Streetsboro

She fired an 87 to lead Streetsboro to a runner-up spot in the Metro Athletic Conference Tournament at Pine Valley Golf Course in Wadsworth. The Rockets’ Courtney Evert finished fourth with an 93.

JAMES MORGAN, Southeast

He bested Jacob Rainieri of Lake Center Christian, firing a one-under-par 34 on the Par-35 gold nine at Sable Creek. Rainieri carded a 38. It was a family affair at the golf course as Morgan family was following the golfers, as well as Rainieri’s great uncle (Joe Rainieri, former owner of Suffield Springs Golf Club) and grandfather (John Rainieri, former owner of several golf courses in the area including Paradise Lake Golf Club). The two golfers have become good friends and enjoyed the close and friendly competition between their two schools in the Portage Trail Conference.

MAX DEVINS, Aurora

He just missed winning the Elyria Catholic Boys Invitational at Greyhawk Golf Club in LaGrange. Firing a 73 on the Par-72 course, Devins was only one stroke off the pace of Jack Myslenski of St. Edward in the 22-team tournament.

MATCHES TO FOLLOW

This week, admittedly, the boys teams in the Portage Trail Conference are chasing Warren JFK early in the season for the team title. This week may separate a few of those teams from the group as Mogadore travels to Southeast on Wednesday and then travels to Lake Center Christian on Thursday.

Last week, Southeast only lost to LCC by five strokes and Mogadore has proven to be a tough competitor with the Portage County Junior Amateur champion, Lucas Butler, leading the way.

Watch for the results of these matches and the standings this week in Portage Sports.

GOLF SCHEDULE

(Note: Schedules change frequently due to weather and transportation. Spectators should call ahead to verify the match is confirmed.)

THIS WEEK IN BOYS GOLF

Today: Warren JFK @ Mogadore; Lake Center @ Rootstown; St. Thomas Aquinas @ Southeast; Aurora, Kent @ Hudson Invitational; Mogadore @ Waterloo.

Tuesday: Garfield @ Crestview; Aurora, Kent @ Nordonia; Sebring @ Waterloo.

Wednesday: Berkshire @ Garfield; Mogadore @ Southeast; Field @ Rootstown; Kent @ Walsh Jesuit.

Thursday: Garfield, Louisville @ Waterloo; Mogadore @ Lake Center; Southeast @ Warren JFK.

THIS WEEK IN GIRLS GOLF

Today: Rootstown, Canton South @ Minerva; Aurora @ Hudson.

Tuesday: Springfield-Norton @ Field; Rootstown @ Lake Center; Kent @ Canfield Tournament; Streetsboro @ Woodridge.

Wednesday: St. Thomas @ Southeast; Bristol @ Rootstown; Garfield @ Streetsboro.

Thursday: Field @ Woodridge; Kent, Aurora @ Suburban League Tournament #2; Streetsboro, Norton @ Cloverleaf.

Saturday: Kent @ Blue Devil Classic.