By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Many golfers and junior golfers will remember Craig Blike as he worked both as an intern and a junior golf tournament director for the Northern Ohio PGA from 2009 to 2016.

Blike, now a resident of Brady Lake with his wife and children, was also an outstanding wrestler for Archbishop Hoban.

Blike has continued to dedicate himself to the sport of wrestling and was recently awarded the 2026 Great Midwest Excellence in Officiating by the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.

The conference announced Blike as the male recipient of the 2026 award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to collegiate wrestling officiating and his continued commitment to excellence within the profession.

The conference noted that Blike has distinguished himself as one of the premier wrestling officials in the country through 14 years of officiating experience. Throughout his career, he has earned assignments at some of the sport’s most prestigious championship events and conferences, demonstrating excellence at every level of collegiate competition.

Blike was grateful to be honored by such an elite conference.

“The student-athletes, coaches and administrators dedicate their lives to this calling and, as officials, we aim to match that commitment, striving to be our best selves in every moment for the sport and everyone involved,” said Blike.

JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE

The Olde Dutch Mill Junior Golf League begins June 14 and runs through July 26 at the course in Lake Milton starting at 4 p.m. every Sunday.

Golfers receive on-course instruction from US Kids certified instructors as well as Olde Dutch Mill professional Mike Jenior.

Each week, junior golfers compete in fun drills and competitions that hone their skills and knowledge of the game. Golfers play nine holes each week paired with golfers in their age groups and enjoy an end of the season banquet and prize raffle.

Parents are encouraged to be spectators or caddy each week to spend time with their junior golfers.

Fee is $175.

For additional information, call 330-654-4100.

OHIO SENIOR OPEN

The 41^st Ohio Senior Open returns to the Firestone Country Club, Fazio Course this Wednesday and Thursday with more than 140 golfers in the field including Portage County golfers: Lou Boarman of Mogadore, Mitch Camp, Tom Laubacher, Russell Papa, Gary Trivisonno and Larry Lahnan of Aurora, Justin Long of Ravenna and Robert Schustrich of Windham.

Trivisonno and Camp are both past champions of the event and join 16 total past champions in the field.

Tee times begin on Wednesday at 8 a.m.

Note: Be sure and check the golf calendar for information on the Portage Sports outing, the Portage County Amateurs and the vast amount of golf scrambles and events hosted at golf courses throughout the greater Portage County area.

GOLF CALENDAR

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

PORTAGE SPORTS GOLF SCRAMBLE

The third annual Portage Sports Golf Scramble set for June 7 at Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course is sold out. For additional information email Tom Nader at tomnader@portagesports.com.

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

MAY

May 30—Southeast Youth Football and Cheer Golf Outing @ Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course, Lake Milton. $400 per person, four-person scramble.

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

Aug. 28—Ravenna Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing@ Windmill Lakes Golf Course, Ravenna.

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