By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Now that school is out, junior golfers are honing their skills before the high school and middle school golf season at area tournaments.

At Ellsworth Meadows in Hudson, in the Boys 16-19 age division, Jacob Rainieri of Mogadore captured his first victory of the season, firing a 1-over-par 72 to best Griffin Pickett of Painesville by one stroke.

Andrew VanDamme of Kent was the best in the boys 14-15 age division, carding a 76, two strokes better than Ryan Creech of Chesterland.

A nine-hole futures tour event was also held at Ellsworth Meadows at the same time. Local golfers and their finish in each age division included:

JACOB RAINIERI

JUNIOR TOUR ELLSWORTH MEADOWS 18 HOLES

BOYS 16-19

1. Jacob Rainieri, Mogadore 72; 5. Jackson Sarver, Aurora 78; 9. Mica Thirion, Ravenna 79; 17. Deacon Smith, Kent 82; 29. Brett Epple, Streetsboro 87; 39. Brady Allenick, Aurora 90.

BOYS 14-15

Andrew VanDamme, Kent 74; 13. Kellen Walter, Aurora 90; 21. Cole Marvaldi, Aurora 107; 22. Drew Lewis, Aurora 117; 24. Andrew Schmidt, Streetsboro 123.

GIRLS 11-15

5. Bennett DeLuca, Aurora 91.

GIRLS 16-19

4. Adrianna Mineo, Kent 83.

ADRIANNA MINEO

ELLSWORTH MEADOWS 9-HOLE FUTURES TOUR

BOYS 10-11

Bo Birchak, Lake Milton 48.

BOYS 12-16

Mason Dillon, Rootstown 43.

GIRLS 12-16

Makenna Ward, Kent 42; Ayreanna Rippey, Mogadore 47.

THIS WEEK

Junior golfers will be competing on Monday at Alliance Country Club in Alliance, Thursday at Turkeyfoot Lakes in Akron, Friday at Mill Creek in Boardman.

Log on to thenorthernohiopga.com for registration details regarding junior tournaments for the rest of the summer.

DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR THE PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEURS

Many of the junior golfers also compete in the Portage County Junior Amateur and Kids Amateur with high school golfers also eligible to compete in the 95^th Amateur.

Up first are the Kids Am at Sunny Hill Golf Course on July 20 and the Junior Amateur at Sunny Hill Golf Course and Windmill Golf Course on July 22 and 23.

In the Kids Am, junior golfers entering ninth grade and younger are welcome as high school golfers walk with the youngest golfers and help them with scoring and rules if needed. It is a great first tournament experience for young golfers as well as golfers returning year after year.

Register online at PCAGolf.net or register at the host golf courses: Windmill Lakes Golf Club in Ravenna; Sunny Hill Golf Club in Brimfield or Raccoon Hill Golf Club in Kent.

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.

GOLF CALENDAR

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

GOLF SCRAMBLES

June 14: 28^th Ravenna Football Golf Classic, Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Ravenna. Registration $500 per foursome. Complete Facebook form on Ravenna Ravens Football page.

Aug. 11: Ben Curtis Golf Classic, Barrington Golf Club, Aurora. (Includes a golf clinic with Ben Curtis). Email nicole@bencurtisfoundation.org to reserve a spot.

PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEURS

July 26-27: 95^th PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEURS: Windmill Lakes Golf Club July 26, Raccoon Hill July 27. County, Open and Women Divisions.

Aug. 30-31: 55^th SENIOR AMATEUR: Raccoon Hill Aug. 30, Windmill Lakes Aug. 31. Age divisions: 50-59, 60-69, 70-plus men and women.

July 22-23: 19^th MATT MISHLER JUNIOR PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEUR: Sunny Hill Golf Course July 22, Windmill Lakes Golf Course July 23. Age divisions 16-19, 13-15, 12 and under.

July 20: 11^TH PORTAGE COUNTY KIDS AM: July 20 at Sunny Hill Golf Course in Brimfield. Golfers entering ninth grade and younger.

For additional information on the Amateurs please 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

June 30-July 2: 104^th 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: 42^nd NOPGA Junior Tour Championship at Barrington Golf Club.

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

DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT LOCAL REGISTRATION

July 1: Windmill Golf Center, 1511 E. Aurora Road, Macedonia; July 12: Mill Creek Golf Club, W. Golf Drive, Boardman.

July 27: Medina Country Club, 5588 Wedgewood Road, Medina. Log on to thenorthernohiopga.com for registration and additional information.