By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Ayreanna Rippey, a student at Field Middle School, recently qualified for the Under Armour Winter Nationals in Palm Beach, Fla.

AYREANNA RIPPEY

The event was held at the PGA National Fazio Golf Course on Feb. 14-15.

Rippey placed 19th out of 33 girls in the 12 to 14 age bracket.

The conditions were tough, with strong winds and the course played long.

Rippey and her competitors walked 18 holes each day despite her coming off an injury for more than two months.

Rippey has competed in the Portage County Kids Amateur, earning a top-three spot among competitors.

She also played in 10 Northern Ohio PGA Futures Tour events during the summer of 2025, where she consistently earned top-five finishes and won three times, at Mud Run Golf Course in Akron, North Olmsted Golf Course in North Olmsted and at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Huron.

Look for Rippey to continue her golf success this season on the tournament trail and in PGA Junior League.

PIRATES PLAY GOLF CELEBRATES 10TH SEASON

The Southeast Pirates have had success on the links as the girls varsity has currently won two consecutive Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference championships and the boys team is the reigning conference champion.

Success has been helped by the Pirates Play Golf program, which offers elementary and middle school the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of golf at stations in the gymnasiums of Southeast Elementary School.

Cindy Fesemyer, retired physical education teacher and girls golf coach, and Mike Jenior, boys golf coach and head professional at Olde Dutch Mill, the Pirates home course, run the clinics along with help from high school students and several adult volunteers.

This season there are two sessions. The first session finished Thursday and the second session begins this week. Both were completely filled.

Following the conclusion of the clinics, the youth have the opportunity to travel to Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course and many continue to compete in the junior leagues at the course.

The fun of golf is stressed as the young golfers travel around to hitting stations including putting, long ball hitting, short chip shots and, this season, an etiquette station that teaches the intricacies of the golf game.

Many of the athletes currently on the high school golf team started playing in the Pirates Play Golf Program, now in its 10th season.

SAVE THE DATES

To be added to this calendar please text 330-206-9083 or email golffam2@gmail.com

GOLF CALENDAR

PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEURS

To register, visit PCAGolf.net for online registration and information, register in-person at host courses, or mail registration to Portage County Amateur, 2739 Tallmadge Road, Ravenna, OH 44266. To receive an email registration form or for questions call or text 330-206-9083 or email golffam2@gmail.com

JULY 25-26—96^th PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEUR. July 25 – Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Ravenna; July 26 – Raccoon Hill Golf Club, Kent. Divisions: County, Open, Women. 18-holes each day. Registration $100 by July 10; late registration $120 by July 23.

AUGUST 29-30—56^TH PORTAGE COUNTY SENIOR AMATEUR. Aug. 29 – Raccoon Hill Golf Club, Kent; Aug. 30 – Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Ravenna. Age Divisions: 50-59, 60-69, 70-plus, Women. 18-holes each day. Registration $100 by Aug. 14, Late registration $120 by Aug. 26.

JULY 21-22—20^TH MATT MISHLER PORTAGE COUNTY JUNIOR AMATEUR. July 21 – Sunny Hill Golf Course, Brimfield; July 22 – Raccoon Hill Golf Course, Ravenna. Age Divisions for Boys and Girls: 16-19, 13-15 play 18-holes each day; Boys and Girls 12 and under play nine holes each day. Registration ages 13-19 $60, 12 and under $45. Deadline July 18. Each golfer receives a $10 gift certificate.

JULY 19—12^TH PORTAGE COUNTY KIDS AMATEUR. July 19 – Sunny Hill Golf Course, Brimfield (middle nine). Four separate age divisions for boys and girls: Grades 8-9, 6-7 (play nine holes) – $20; Grades 4-5 (play six holes) $20; Grades 3 and under (plays four holes) $15. Deadline July 16.

LOCAL OUTINGS AND SCRAMBLES

MARCH

Mar. 21—Chili Open @ Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course, Lake Milton

MAY

May 15—PARTA 21^ST Annual Golf Outing @ Sunny Hill Golf Course, Brimfield.

JUNE

June 7—Portage Sports Annual Golf Outing @ Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course, Lake Milton.

June 20—Rootstown Endzone Club Golf Outing @ Sunny Hill Golf Outing, Brimfield.

JULY

July 25-26—Christmas in July Night Golf @ Fairways at Twin Lakes. $240 per foursome.

AUGUST

Aug. 10—Ben Curtis Golf Classic @ Congress Lake Golf Club, Hartville.