Champions and caddies at the Amateur, from the left: Brandon Hall, Derrick Benner, James Bokshon, Drew Wilson, Brendan Osborne and Hunter Osborne.

By Susan Junior

Staff Writer

Over the almost 100 years of the Portage County Amateur, golfers have always had the option to walk, ride or utilize a caddy.

While taking a cart is always a popular option, golfers competing in future years may want to consider the other option after the success of the golfers in the County Division during the 96th Amateur.

This season’s champions, after 36 holes, James Bokshon (Ravenna), Derrick Benner (Mantua) and Brendan Osborne (Mantua) all proudly used caddies and not just to carry their bag.

The caddies were fully engaged in sighting putts and checking yardages as the three winners navigated their way around Windmill Lakes and Sunny Hill Golf Courses.

Bokshon, the champion, and caddie Drew Wilson, did not think the 79 he fired at Raccoon Hills on the final day was good enough to rise to the winner’s circle and went home after turning in his scorecard.

However, the tight fairways of Raccoon Hill proved tough for all competitors and the 79, coupled with his 76 at Windmill Lakes on the tourney’s first day, was enough to edge Benner by one stroke.

Benner and Osborne (third place) called Bokshon to return to the course to pick up his trophy and join them in the champions picture. His caddie returned, too.

Benner’s caddie, Brandon Hall, arrived at the course both days in full, white  addie jumpsuit with Benner’s name emblazoned on the back.

And Osborne’s caddie, his brother Hunter Osborne, obviously did what was needed to maintain the top three.

It isn’t often that golfers are having such a terrific time when they walk into the clubhouse after a grueling 18-hole round, but the three golfers and their caddies were good-naturedly ribbing each other and their caddies and celebrating a victory that was not only hard fought, but also quite visibly fun.

It was suggested by the champions that this might be a trend.

The Amateurs may need to purchase caddie bibs next season, with the popularity of the option to walk instead of ride.

It was such a pleasure to watch the golfers enjoy the game while embroiled in a tight competition.

They were sincerely happy for each other, their caddies and their final standings.

THE TRADITION OF THE AMATEUR

MIKE REZABEK

Another golfer enjoying his rounds, finishing in 14th place, was Ravenna’s Mike Rezabek.

Rezabek walked into the Amateur the first day at Windmill laughingly, saying he might finish in last place.

He didn’t after firing rounds of 89-93 at Windmill and Raccoon Hill.

Several golfers in both divisions had higher scores.

Rezabek didn’t have to prove himself.

He was the champion of the Portage County Amateur in 1986, which was the last time he played in the event.

Forty years later, he returned to compete again and just enjoyed the experience.

Randy Wilburn (Deerfield), another frequent competitor in both the Amateur and the Senior Amateur, who is always in the top 10 of both events, commented that 1986 was the first year he competed in the event.

The rich tradition of the Portage County Amateur has included champions before they became professionals, collegiate golfers and local outstanding athletes just looking for a more advanced competition than league and open play offers.

SO CLOSE … WOMEN’S DIVISION

Hannah Higgins of North Canton and Sammy Morgan of North Benton are in very different places in their golf careers.

Higgins is a senior this fall at Lewis University in Chicago on the varsity golf team. Higgins also works at Congress Lake Country Club and for the Northern Ohio PGA.

Sammy Morgan will be a junior on the Southeast Lady Pirates varsity golf team, the two-time champions of the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference. Morgan won the Portage County Junior Amateur and is the reigning player of the year in the MVAC.

The two women battled for the top spot, Morgan leading the first day by three strokes and Higgins coming from behind on the second day to win by one stroke.

ONE AMATEUR REMAINS THIS SEASON

The 56th Portage County Senior Amateur is the final tournament on the four-tournament schedule of the Amateurs this season.

The Senior tees off at Raccoon Hill on Aug. 29 and concludes on Aug. 30 at Windmill Lakes.

Registration is available at host courses and at PCAGolf.net. Questions may be directed to Susan Jenior at portagecountyam@gmail.com or 330-206-9083 (call or text).