By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Herb Page (left) standing with Rich Rango.

The Kent State varsity golf programs are a source of pride, not only for the Golden Flashes, but for all golfers and fans of KSU.

The success continues because of great coaches, talented players and solid funding thanks to generous contributors, including players that support the annual Rango Outing each year.

Boasting two flights of golfers that fill Windmill Lakes Golf Club in Ravenna, current athletes help with the event and alumni and fans return to play in the four-person scramble year after year.

More than 200 golfers compete in the 18-hole scramble, enjoy a steak dinner that includes roasted corn and know that they have helped raise more than a million dollars in the 37-year history of the event.

Everyone has a purpose to not only have fun, but to help the continued growth of the Kent State varsity golf programs as they continue to win the Mid-American Conference and advance to postseason action on a consistent basis.

Rob Wakeling (left) and Jeff Kurtz.

This season’s event had the added emotional aspect of continuing the tradition without the presence of Emilio Ferrara. Each golfer received a commemorative gift (ball marker and hat-pin set) in memory of Ferrara.

Golfers also have the opportunity to shop at the annual Windmill Lakes Tent Sale that concludes today in Ravenna and participate in an extraordinary raffle of golf items.

Planning begins now for the 2024 Rango.

HATTIE LARLHAM

It is a week for huge, benefit outings as the annual Hattie Larlham Golf Outing at Sugar Bush Golf Club also included both morning and afternoon sessions.

The golfers raised more than $100,000 in 2022 — a record-breaking total.

This season, the golf classic again includes a golf ball drop raffle between the morning and afternoon sessions. Money raised from the Hattie Larlham Golf Classic supports programs and services that help the people served by Hattie Larlham grow, thrive and shine their brightest.

BEN CURTIS DASH

Ben Curtis, 2003 British Open Champion and Kent State University alumnus, has turned his attention to teaching at the Ben Curtis Golf Academy, coaching the Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders varsity boys team and continues, along with his wife Candace, to focus on their mission to alleviate childhood hunger in Northeast Ohio.

As school begins, and the Foundation continues its Birdie Bags delivered to local schools, everyone is invited to help with the mission.

During the month of August, the Foundation is having a Donation Dash. Every dollar raised up to $10,000 will be matched. The Foundation has already raised $5,845 as of Aug. 17.

The Foundation currently serves about a dozen schools, sending more than 2,300 Birdie Bags for those in need.

Each Birdie Bag contains food such as oatmeal, pasta, granola bars and fruit snacks, as well as toiletries and is sent home with children in need throughout the school year.

School districts served include Kent City Schools, Ravenna City, Southeast, Streetsboro, Waterloo, Rootstown and Windham in Portage County as well as Alliance, Akron, Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls and Woodridge.

Visit the Ben Curtis Family Foundation at bencurtisfoundation.org for a donation link or the Ben Curtis Family Foundation Facebook page.

PORTAGE COUNTY SENIOR AMATEUR

It’s almost here.

This Saturday and Aug. 27, golfers will tee off in the annual Portage County Senior Amateur.

Divided for golfers in age divisions 50-59, 60-69 and 70-and-older, the event begins at Raccoon Hill Golf Club in Kent on Saturday and concludes for the final 18-holes on Aug. 27 at Windmill Lakes Golf Club in Ravenna.

Thursday is the registration deadline. Log onto PCAgolf.net, register at host courses or call 330-206-9083 for information.

Outstanding competition is expected as past champions including reigning winners Steve Bedell of Brecksville, Dave Peck of Macedonia and Geoffrey Burge of Aurora return.

The registration includes golfers from Indiana, South Carolina and Pennsylvania.