By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

After a very long winter that saw very little play at courses that remain open throughout the year, golfers are finally enjoying time on the course, planning tournaments and scramble play and looking forward to the long summer ahead.

PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEURS

The Portage County Amateurs for seniors, adults, juniors and kids are now officially open for registration at pcagolf.net

The 95-year tradition of the Portage County Amateurs continues when the event tees off at Windmill Lakes on July 26 and Raccoon Hill on July 27.

Honoring the Portage County roots of the Amateur, there remain three divisions:

   • Portage County for golfers residing within the boundaries of Portage County

   • Open Division for golfers residing outside of Portage County

   • Women’s Division for all women

Registration is $90 by July 10 and may be accomplished at the host golf courses, on the website and by mail registration.

The Amateurs have grown over the years and now include the 55th Portage County Senior Amateur, the 19th Matt Mishler Junior Amateur and the 11th Portage County Kids Amateur.

The Senior Amateur always competes on the final weekend of August, this season on Aug. 30 at Raccoon Hill and Aug. 31 at Windmill Lakes.

Registration remains $90 by Aug. 8 and includes age divisions 50-59, 60-69 and 70-and-older for men. New this season, a Senior Women’s Division of nine holes each day, with registration $60 by Aug. 20.

THE AMATEURS LOVE KIDS

The 19th Matt Mishler Junior Portage County Amateur tees off at Sunny Hill on July 22 and Windmill Lakes on July 23.

Separate age divisions for boys and girls include 16-19, 13-15 and 12-and-under, Ages 13 to 19 compete over 18 holes both days, 12-and-under play nine holes each day, but experienced youth may play up a division if they and their parents approve.

The 11th Kids Amateur provides a unique tournament experience for youth ninth grade and younger. For high-school freshmen and others it may be a first tournament experience.

High-school golfers volunteer to help the junior golfers in the Kids Am that includes four separate age divisions: Grades 8-9, 6-7 playing nine holes, grades 4-5 competing over six holes and grades 3-and-below golfing four holes.

All competition in the Kids Am is at Sunny Hill Golf Course and provides a unique experience for the younger golfers. Anyone who has never competed in a tournament is encouraged to compete but the Kids Am welcomes the return every year of many kids.

The Kids Am competes on July 20 at Sunny Hill Golf Course and is $20 for grades 4-9 and $15 for grades 3-and-younger.

For additional information on the Amateurs please feel free to email golffam2@gmail.com or text 330-206-9083. Registration is available at pcagolf.net, at all host golf courses or via mail.

NORTHERN OHIO PGA

The Northern Ohio PGA events scheduled on their website for professionals, amateurs and juniors.

A few highlights include:

May 28-29—40th Ohio Senior Open at Firestone Country Club’s Fazio Course.

June 2—Kenny Novak Pro-Junior-3 Am at Club Walden in Aurora.

June 30-July 2—104th Ohio Open at Firestone Country Club.

July 14-15—36-hole Junior Series Championship at Windmill Lakes.

July 21—Ohio Girls Golf Foundation Showcase at Avon Oaks.

July 28-29—42nd NOPGA Junior Tour Championship at Barrington Golf Club.

Log onto www.thenorthernohiopga.com for registration and additional information.

This column will also include a calendar and additional highlights and results beginning next week.

SHARE YOUR SUCCESS

Information for the column including tournaments, leagues and adult and junior golfers successes may be shared at golffam2@gmail.com or text 330-206-9083. We look forward to sharing the accomplishments of all golfers throughout the Spring and Summer.

Special thanks to Portage Sports, Fairways at Twin Lakes, Windmill Lakes, Raccoon Hill and Sunny Hill for their sponsorship and continued support of the Portage County Amateurs.