By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Every time Gus Mehallis, coach of the Aurora Greenmen, sends the scores from a tournament or match, he includes a note.

AURORA’S MAX DEVINS

Simply, “Max is really playing well.”

Mehallis is talking about his senior golfer, Max Devins, who already has a trip to the state tournament during his career and many great scores in tournaments, both in the Suburban League and non-league events.

This week, at the Nordonia Classic Boys Golf Tournament, held at Ellsworth Meadows in Hudson, Devins tied Zach Butcher of Highland, each firing an even-par 72.

Butcher birdied the first playoff hole to earn the medalist honors in the tournament that boasts 18 teams.

At the Hudson Explorer Invitational that boasts one of the toughest fields on the high school golf schedule, held at Hudson Country Club, Devins added to his resume by carding a 74, good for a tie for sixth place. A tie for ninth place, or better, automatically qualifies him to play in the 2024 Hudson Junior Invitational.

Finally this week, Aurora competed in the Elyria Catholic Invitational with 22 teams.

Devins was the runner-up medalist, carding a 73 with only Jack Myslenski of St. Edward edging into the medalist spot by one stroke (72).

Up this week for Aurora, the Greenmen will compete in the Suburban League Conference Tournament #3 on Wednesday and they are invited to the University School Tournament on Saturday.

It’s no doubt that Max Devins will be in contention near, or at the top, of the leaderboard.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

     • The Southeast girls golf team welcomed Springfield to a non-conference match-up at Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course.

SOUTHEAST’S LAYNA TITTLE

Final tally: Southeast 187, Springfield 237.

Taylor Blazak was the medalist for the Pirates, firing a 40, with Layna Tittle shooting the runner-up best score of the match, a 45.

For Tittle, it was her best effort at Olde Dutch Mill. The sophomore has steadily been improving and is helping the Pirates toward their goal of a third consecutive Portage Trail Conference title.

The Pirates are undefeated in league play and 4-1 overall.

     • The Garfield boys have been improving throughout the season and own a 2-4 overall record and are 1-2 in the MVAC.

In a match against Crestview at Beaver Creek Meadows Golf Course, despite the G-Men losing by 10 strokes, four of the G-Men fired their best rounds.

Dillan Paul, a junior, shot 40; Caleb Sheer, a sophomore, fired 44; Hunter Anderson, a sophomore, tallied a 45 and Lukas Workman, also a sophomore, turned in a 51.

The G-men are obviously a young team with only better golf ahead.

MEDALISTS OF THE WEEK

BROOKLYN MILLARD, Aurora

Millard tied for medalist at the Suburban League Conference Tournament in the American Division. Millard fired a 4-under-par 68 at Pleasant Valley Golf Course in Medina to tie Isabella Goyette of Medina Highland.

SAMANTHA CLARK, Streetsboro

Clark swept all golfers in a tri-match between Cloverleaf, the Rockets and Norton at Rawiga Golf Course in Seville. Clark carded a 46 as the best on the links. It was Clark’s second match win as Streetsboro also defeated Garfield during the week at Boulder Creek Golf Course with Clark firing a 48 to lead both teams.

JAMES MORGAN, Southeast

Morgan fired a solid 3-under-par 34 at Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course to earn medalist honors despite the Mogadore Wildcats defeating the Pirates.

JACKSON EICHLER and TREVOR SIMONS, Waterloo

The duo fired a pair of 37s to lead Waterloo to a tri-match victory over Garfield and Lowellville.

TAYLOR BLAZEK, Southeast

Blazek shot a 40, 4-over-par, to lead the Pirates to victory over Springfield.

BRYCE CANNON, Field

Cannon fired a 43 to lead the Falcons over Streetsboro in a MAC match.

A MIDDLE SCHOOL HAT TRICK

Sammy Morgan, who plays for Southeast Middle School, made it three straight medal matches personally when the Pirates defeated United 176 to 214. Sammy fired a 37 on the Par 36 fairways of Twin Springs Golf Course in Lisbon. She also won the middle-school match at Sunny Hill and the Southeast Middle School Tournament at Olde Dutch Mill that included eight teams.

The middle-school teams are co-ed and compete from the same tees.

Portage Sports is now publishing a Middle School Scoreboard for all sports, allowing everyone to see the talented golfers and student-athletes soon to be competing for their high-school teams.

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: Southeast @ Rootstown; Liberty @ Garfield; East Canton @ Waterloo; Kent Roosevelt @ Green Invitational.

TUESDAY: Ravenna, Mogadore @ Rootstown; Garfield @ Brookfield.

WEDNESDAY: Mogadore @ Waterloo; Kent Roosevelt, Aurora @ Suburban League Tournament.

THURSDAY: Garfield @ Newton Falls; McDonald @ Waterloo.

SATURDAY: Kent Roosevelt, Aurora @ University School Golf Invitational.

THIS WEEK IN GIRLS GOLF

TODAY: Streetsboro @ Rootstown; Kent Roosevelt @ Tallmadge.

TUESDAY: Field, Woodridge @ Norton; Solon @ Kent Roosevelt; Southeast @ Mineral Ridge.

WEDNESDAY: Lake Center Christian @ Southeast; St. Thomas @ Rootstown; Twinsburg @ Streetsboro; Aurora @ Medina Highland.

THURSDAY: Streetsboro @ Field; Rootstown @ Firestone; Kent Roosevelt @ Stow.