By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Golf courses have found it rewarding to support junior-golf and high-school programs, supporting the future of golf.

Southeast has worked hard for the past decade to improve its golf program, encouraging junior golfers from elementary through high school.

From Pirates Play Golf (started by girls varsity golf coach Cindy Fesemyer) through fall and summer junior golf learn-to-play golf leagues (started by varsity boys coach Mike Jenior) and a more advanced Rumble League for junior golfers, the coaches decided they wanted their teams to have an opportunity to get better.

Southeast’s Logan Blankenship shot a 3-over 39 to lead the Pirates to a victory in their first junior varsity match in more than a decade.
Susan Jenior/Portage Sports

Their efforts, making golf fun for kids and something they want to work at, is just starting to be realized with the Southeast girls varsity team finishing fifth in the state last season and the boys varsity just missing to advance as a team to district — even though two individuals advanced to district and one advanced to the state tournament.

With the exception of Pirates Play Golf that starts at Southeast Elementary and moves kids to the golf course, everything takes place at Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course in Lake Milton, where Jenior is the director of golf and head coach.

Now, Jackson-Milton is working on building something as well.

The Bluejays also call Olde Dutch Mill home for their matches

With Ron Birchak, owner of Olde Dutch Mill, having two junior golfers looking toward varsity golf, Jackson-Milton started its own youth play golf program at Olde Dutch Mill with Jenior and other staff, as well as Birchak, giving junior golfers the skills they need.

The results?

The first junior-varsity match for the golf teams of the Pirates and the Jays at Olde Dutch Mill. It was the first junior varsity match for the Pirates in over 10 years and, the continuation of JV golf for Jackson-Milton with a team for the last two years.

The final score was one that made the coaches proud.

Southeast boys golf head coach Mike Jenior (left) talks with Jackson-Milton golf coach Ron Birchak during a round at Olde Dutch Mill.
Susan Jenior/Portage Sports

Southeast 177, Jackson Milton 211, with individual scores that many high schools would love to have on their team.

Leading Southeast was Logan Blankenship firing a 39 on the Par 36 front nine of Olde Dutch. Jackson-Milton’s best was carded by Abby Hochendonner, 51.

It was the perfect first of the season for the junior varsity golfers as both coaches, Birchak and Jenior, worked together to encourage all of the golfers to do their best and make good decisions.

Southeast followed that up with a JV match against the Mogadore Wildcats, winning that match as well, 176-187 including top scores by Logan Blankenship (SE) 41 and Landon Schaffer (M) 44.

JV GOLF SCOREBOARD

(At Olde Dutch Mill, Lake Milton)

SOUTHEAST 177, JACKSON MILTON 211

SOUTHEAST (177): Logan Blankenship 39, Logan Shodd 42, Garrett Davis 46, Tristan Finch 51, Tim Parbell 45, Joe Miller 61.

JACKSON MILTON (211): Abby Hochendonner 51, Nora Schwarten 63, Hunter Johnson 52, Caleb Combs 55, Nick Rotuna 53, Nolan Chance 60.

SOUTHEAST 176, MOGADORE 187

SOUTHEAST (176): Logan Blankenship 41, Logan Shodd 43, Tim Parbell 46, Braeden Martin 60, Garrett Davis 46, Tristan Finch 46.

MOGADORE (187): Jackson Lanham 51, Landon Schaeffer 44, Gavin Gardner 45, Mason Storey 47, Cade Ramirez 54.

TOURNAMENT ACTION

ROOTSTOWN GIRLS

The Rovers’ girls traveled to compete in the Blue Devil Classic at Shawnee Hills Golf Course in Walton Hills. They finished eighth among the 11 teams and tough competition, with Morgan Giebel (94) and Ava Miller (98) leading the team.

KENT ROOSEVELT GIRLS

The Rough Riders competed in two tournaments this week: The Suburban League’s second of four tournaments and the Solon Lady Comet classic.

Adrianna Mineo led the Roosevelt girls in both tournaments and earned a spot on All-Tournament teams along the way.

Mineo fired a 79 to finish in fifth place at Solon and a 76 in the Suburban to climb into the top three golfers.

This was the third tournament Mineo has golfed her way onto the All-Tournament Team, placing fifth in the Hudson Lady Explorer tournament earlier in the season.

 KENT ROOSEVELT BOYS

The Kent Roosevelt boys team traveled to Bunker Hill Golf Course in Medina to take on future league rival Cloverleaf.

The Rough Riders will move to the Metro Athletic Conference at the start of the 2026-27 season.

For an initial match, the Rough Riders earned the victory 166 to 179, with Jaxon Turner, carding a 40.

Leading the visitors with Turner were Deacon Smith 42, Jack Flynn 42 and Owen Puhalla 42. Consistency crushed the Colts.

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

(Note, please call ahead if you are attending a match or tournament to make sure a schedule hasn’t changed.)

MONDAY

BOYS: Rootstown @ Kirtland, Champion @ Southeast, Garfield @ Liberty, Streetsboro @ Canfield; Waterloo @ Jackson Milton; GIRLS: Copley @ Streetsboro, Garfield/Mineral Ridge @ Southeast.

TUESDAY

BOYS: Rootstown @ Lake Center Christian, Cloverleaf @ Field, Norton @ Streetsboro; GIRLS: Chagrin Falls @ Rootstown, Streetsboro @ Woodridge, Southeast @ McDonald, Field @ Norton.

WEDNESDAY

BOYS: Southeast @ Brookfield, Mogadore @ Field, Garfield @ Newton Falls, Mineral Ridge @ Waterloo; GIRLS: Streetsboro @ Southeast.

THURSDAY

BOYS: Southeast @ LaBrae, Crestview @ Garfield, Coventry @ Field, Streetsboro @ Ravenna; Rootstown @ Orange/Berkshire, Waterloo @ McDonald; GIRLS: Norton/Cloverleaf @ Streetsboro, Field @ Woodridge.

FRIDAY

BOYS: Southeast @ Rootstown, Waterloo @ Western Reserve.

COACHES

please do not forget to send your match and tournament results either text or email to 330-206-9083/golffam2@gmail.com. Also, please send updated schedules or changes. Thank you.