By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Were you watching The Masters?

The annual tournament at Augusta is a must for golfers.

While the professional golfers often put on a clinic as they work their way around the tough 18 holes, some of the best parts of The Masters are played prior to the tournament.

The Drive Chip and Putt finals are held prior to the start of the tournament as youth golfers qualifying through local and regional sites advance to play their final rounds at Augusta.

It is a wonderful experience for junior golfers.

The Drive, Chip and Putt is followed by The Masters Par 3 Tournament that features the professional golfers, on the day prior to the start of one of the biggest tournaments in golf, playing with their families.

Young children are running around the course, trying to rake sand traps, playing in the sand traps and converting amazing golf shots and sinking long putts following in their dad’s footsteps.

Watching Poppy McIlroy, 4-year-old daughter of reigning champion Rory McIlroy, sink a long, difficult birdie putt and seeing her joyfully run into her father’s arms is the best The Masters’ had to offer.

LYNNE PLAISANCE

LYNNE PLAISANCE

Speaking of the Drive, Chip and Putt, Lynne Plaisance, executive director of the Ohio Girls Golf Foundation and Director of Operations for the Northern Ohio PGA, was at the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National.

Plaisance served as a chaperone for the Girls 7 to 9 age division.

It was a nice honor for Plaisance, who has built up the Ohio Girls Golf Foundation to a significant force for girls throughout Ohio.

KENT STATE’S COREY CONNORS

Kent State alum Corey Connors made the cut to the final weekend at The Masters.

This is Connor’s ninth time playing in the prestigious tournament, where he accomplished his best finish in 2022 when he tied for sixth place.

THE AMATEURS

Excitement continues to grow for the Portage County Amateurs as registration for the initial tournaments, focusing on youth golfers, continues to grow.

The success of the Kids Amateur and the Junior Amateur in recent years has seen some of the best golfers from the greater Portage County Area competing for recognition.

Please go to pcagolf.net for registration and information.

JUST FOR FUN

Birdie Shack in Kent opens weekends beginning April 17.

The popular miniature golf course will welcome putters Fridays from 4 p.m. to 9 p,m, Saturdays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The course is located at 2567 OH 59 between Ravenna and Kent.

BEN CURTIS FOUNDATION

The Ben and Candace Curtis Foundation continues to serve the children of northeast Ohio, helping to alleviate food insecurity.

Kent State alum and British Open Champion Curtis and his wife continue to recruit volunteers and host events that fund more than 12 school districts and send about 6,000 Birdie Bags to the schools for children to take home on weekends.

For volunteer opportunities and to support this outstanding foundation visit www.bencurtisfoundation.org.

GOLF CALENDAR

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

PORTAGE SPORTS GOLF SCRAMBLE

• To register for the third annual Portage Sports Golf Scramble set for June 7 at Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course email Tom Nader at tomnader@portagesports.com. Registration is $400 per team and limited to 32 four-person teams.

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 (play four holes) $15. Deadline July 16.

LOCAL OUTINGS AND SCRAMBLES

APRIL

Apr. 9—The Masters Par 3 Tournament @ Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course, Lake Milton.

Apr. 12—The Masters Fantasy Pro-Am Tournament @ Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course, Lake Milton.

MAY

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

May 16—KRI Foundation Golf Outing @ Paradise Lake Golf Course, Suffield.

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

JUNIOR GOLF

JULY

July 20—Ohio Girls Golf Foundation Showcase, Avon Oaks Country Club, Avon.

NORTHERN OHIO PGA (register at thenorthernohiopga.com)

June 30 – July 2—104^th Pyramid Treating Ohio Open, Firestone Country Club, Akron.

May 28-May 29—40^th Ohio Senior Open, Firestone Country Club, Akron.

NOPGA JUNIOR GOLF (register at thenorthernohiopga.com – registration now open)

NORTHERN OHIO PGA JUNIOR TOURS…

The NOPGA has several tours for juniors including the Next Level Tour (36 hole events), Performance Tour (18-hole events) and Futures Tour (9 holes).

The Futures Tour are unique nine-hole events giving junior golfers a chance to experience tournament golf in a fun environment.

Members receive a gift and a personalized caddie bib.

SCHEDULE

May 23-24—Next Level at Tannenhauf Golf Club, Alliance.

May 26—Performance Tour, Lake Forest Country Club, Hudson.

May 30-31—Next Level, Mill Creek Golf Club, Boardman

June 2—Performance Tour, Ellsworth Meadows, Hudson

June 2—Futures Tour, Ellsworth Meadows, Hudson

June 8-9—Next Level at Alliance Country Club, Alliance

June 19—Futures Tour, Mill Creek Golf Club, Boardman

June 22-23—Junior PGA Section Championship, Glenmoor Country Club, Canton

June 24—Futures Tour, Tannenhauf Golf Club, Alliance

July 6—Performance Tour, Silver Lake Country Club, Stow

July 7—Performance Tour, Tanglewood Golf Club, Chagrin Falls

July 9-10—Next Level @ Fox Den, Stow

July 14-15—Next Level @ Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Ravenna.

July 23—Futures Tour, Mud Run Golf Course, Akron.

July 27-28—43^rd NOPGA Jr. Tour Championship, Oberlin Country Club, Oberlin