By Susan Jenior

Correspondent

With the completion of the 53rd Senior Portage County Amateur on Saturday, the four Amateur tournaments are in the record books.

The 53rd Senior Am was only the third tournament in 93 years under the Portage County Amateur umbrella that had to be reduced to a shorter tournament.

The good news is that, today, Windmill Lakes Golf Club is open.

Everyone was disappointed that the tournament was a one-day tournament instead of a two, but with no guarantee of when the electric would return to Windmill Lakes, it would have been difficult to hold the Senior Amateur with golfers from age 50 to well-over 70.

Walking is good for many golfers, but not for all.

Both Windmill Lakes and Raccoon Hill took extraordinary efforts to restore the golf courses following the near-tornado-like weather conditions that tore through Portage County after decimating parts of Cleveland.

Trees were stuck in the greens, had fallen on the greens and were blocking fairways.

Fortunately, golfers are very understanding.

Focusing on the positive, the winners were excited regardless of the tournament being a one-day event or two — and despite the fact that some golfers couldn’t compete due to blocked roadways, flooded basements, broken water pumps … the list goes on.

SENIOR AMATEUR TAKEAWAYS

Dove Fall, champion of the 50-59 Senior Division, is well known in local-golfing circles, a former coach of the Windham Bombers High School golf team, he is now managing Sugar Bush Golf Course for the Koval family.

He is a fan, and always a student of the game, and winning the Amateur was always on his bucket list.

Dave Peck, of Macedonia, has won the Amateur before. This year, he was the champion of the 60-69 Gold Division. There are no inside tracks in golf, but Dave at least understands the workings of the golf course as a superintendent. Also a fan of the game, he is happy for everyone in the winner circle even when it doesn’t include him.

Steve Bedell, of Brecksville, successfully defended his title in the 70-Plus Platinum Division. He is having a solid season, winning several events in the Northern Ohio Golf Association as well.

Watch for announcements on the 2024 series of Portage County Amateurs to to be announced on Portage Sports in January.

LEAGUE FINALE

Many leagues are preparing to complete their seasons in September.

If you are the secretary of a league, be sure and email golffam2@gmail.com and send the final results and also be sure to note league champions.

Portage Sports would love to include local league success stories.

GIRLS SCHOLARSHIPS

The Ohio Girls Golf Foundation offers scholarships for graduating high school seniors again in 2024.

All senior high school female golfers are encouraged to apply for a 2024 OGGF college scholarship.

The application is available now with the deadline to submit March 31, 2024.

Long onto http://form.jotform.com/232295048464158 or log onto the Ohio Girls Golf Foundation Facebook page to follow the link.

“The OGGF is proud to have awarded over $140,000 in scholarships over the past two decades,” said Lynne Plaisance, executive director.