By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Jax Turner, a member of the Kent Roosevelt golf team, has qualified for the next level of Drive, Chip and Putt, earning the runner-up and second qualifying spot at the Windmill Golf Center for boys 14-15.

JAX TURNER

Next step is the sub-regional qualifiers at Westfield Country club on Aug. 25 and finally the regional qualifier at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky. in September.

GOOD PARK REVISITED…

It was an exciting week at Good Park Golf Course in Akron following Taylor Blazek and James Morgan, both members of the Southeast Pirates golf teams.

Blazek stayed at the top of the leaderboard for three straight days beginning with the qualifying round and earning the championship.

Morgan took over the leaderboard on the first two days and only lost the championship by one stroke to a golfer firing 68 on the final day. Morgan earned the runner-up spot.

The two golfers, reigning Players of the Year in the Portage Trail Conference, gave notice they are the players to beat as Southeast moves to the Mahoning Valley Conference League this fall.

NOPGA TOURNAMENTS RESULTS

The junior tours continue, hosted by the NOPGA, leading up to the Kenny Novak championship July 29-30 at Club Walden in Aurora.

This week, tournaments and local results included a victory in the boys 14-15 age division by Jacob Rainieri of Mogadore who fired a two-over-par 72.

ERIE SHORES, North Madison – Par 70

Girls 16-19: Gianna Rodenhauser, Aurora (12^th – 99).

Boys 14-15: Jacob Rainieri, Mogadore (1^st – 72); Jackson Sarver, Aurora (17^th – 82).

Boys 11-13: Andrew VanDamme, Kent (2^nd – 75).

DAVID BENJAMIN

It was a sad moment when I saw the death notice for David Benjamin of Aurora.

DAVID BENJAMIN

I have talked, messaged, emailed, written about and played golf with David for more than 15 years.

We shared the passions we both had for love of our families and love of golf.

David often had something for this golf column from his many travels to outstanding golf courses as well as his knowledge of the history of Canterbury Golf Club in Beachwood and his pride in meeting and knowing many of the golfers who are professionals and amateurs in northeast Ohio and on tour.

A generous and kind man, David bragged about his daughters and grandchildren as well as his wife, Ann Womer Benjamin, the mayor of Aurora.

I looked forward to his comments on social media and his messages. He found humor in things that were happening but also got to the heart of what was important.

Golf is fun and golf is a family sport. No one knew that better than David Benjamin.

My heart goes out to his family as does the hearts of everyone in the golfing community that knew him.

PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEURS REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Portage County Kids Am is July 21 and the last day to register is this Thursday.

Portage County Junior Am is July 22-23 and the last day to register is this Friday.

Portage County Amateur is July 27-28. Final day to register is July 25.

Go to the Facebook page Portage County Amateurs, register online at PCgolf.net or stop by Windmill Lakes, Raccoon Hill or Sunny Hill golf courses to register in person for any of the Amateurs.

Look forward to seeing all golfers compete.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULES

PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEURS

Register at host golf courses, online at pcagolf.net or via mail. For info call/text 330-206-9083, email golffam2@gmail.com, or log onto the Portage County Amateurs Facebook page.

JULY 21 _ 10^th Portage County Kids Amateur, Sunny Hill Golf Course, Brimfield.

JULY 22-23 _ 18^th Matt Mishler Portage County Junior Amateur, Sunny Hill Golf Course, Brimfield and Windmill Lakes Golf Course, Ravenna.

JULY 27-28 _ 94^th Portage County Amateur, Windmill Lakes Golf Course, Ravenna and Raccoon Hill Golf Club, Kent.

AUG. 24-25 _ 54^th Portage County Senior Amateur, Windmill Lakes Golf Course, Ravenna and Raccoon Hill Golf Club, Kent.

TOURNAMENTS AND EVENTS

(To add an event to the calendar, text or call 330-206-9083 or email golffam2@gmail.com.)

NOPGA Junior Events (register a at northernohiopga.com)

Monday-Tuesday _ 48^th Ohio Junior Girls Championship, Marion Country Club, Marion. (WOSGA.org)

JULY 22 _ Ohio Girls Golf Foundation High School Showcase, Avon Oaks Country Club, Avon. (Sponsored by NOPGA)

Monday-Tuesday _ NOPGA 36 Hole Jr. Series, Windmill Lakes, Ravenna.

JULY 30-31 _ 41^st NOPGA Jr. Tour Championship, Club Walden, Aurora.

OUTINGS, TOURNAMENTS AND EVENTS

JULY 26 _ Olive Tree Family Foundation 4^th Golf Invitational, Raintree Golf Club, Uniontown. (Four-person scramble, $125/golfer, info _ Troy Luckenbaugh 330-671-0073, email olivetree@olivetreefamilyfoundation.org) Register at olivetreegolf.com. Deadline July 13.

AUG. 4 _ Rootstown Rover Sports Booster Outing, Sunny Hill Golf Course, Brimfield. (8:30 a.m. shotgun start).

AUG. 10 _ Southeast Athletic Boosters, Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course, Lake Milton. (Four-person scramble, $100 per person includes golf, beverages, breakfast, lunch and dinner.) Call Bruce Leifeit 330-885-1327, Brenda Thomas 330-310-1515.

AUG. 10 _ Camp Quality Charity Golf Outing, Paradise Lake Golf Course, Suffield. (Four-person scramble, $400 by July 4, $460 after July 4, Information at 330-968-8924 or ohio@campqualityusa.org.)

AUG. 17 _ Browns Backers 17^th Golf Outing, Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course, Lake Milton. (Four-person scramble, 8:30 a.m. shotgun start, $90 per person.) Registration deadline Aug. 10. Call Gary 330-207-5939 or Rodney 330-718-8176 for info. Registration form available on Lake Milton Browns Backers Facebook page.

WOMEN

JULY 22-25 _ 101^st Women’s Ohio State Amateur Championship, Belmont Hills Country Club, Clairsville (WOSGA.org)

JULY 22-25 _ 8^th Women’s Mid-Amateur, Belmont Hills Country Club, St. Clairsville. (WOSGA.org).