By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

KENNY NOVAK CHAMPIONSHIP

The conclusion of the Junior Tours hosted by the Northern Ohio PGA culminates in the NOPGA Kenny Novak Championship at Walden Golf Club in Aurora on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The invite-only championship features players that have earned their way into the tournament through victories and great efforts throughout the NOPGA junior season.

Local athletes invited to compete for the Kenny Novak Championship include: Gracyn Vidovic and Gianna Rodenhauser, both of Aurora, and Adrianna Mineo and Ashlyn Leavery of Kent, all competed in the girls 16-19 age division; Mica Thirion of Ravenna in the boys 16-19 age division; Jax Turner of Kent and Jacob Rainieri of Mogadore in the boys 14-15 age division and Andrew VanDamme of Kent in the boys 11-13 age division.

NOPGA FUTURES TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Ayreana Rippey of Suffield took home the championship in the Futures Tour hosted by Mud Run Golf Course in Akron.

Rippey fired a 40, good for 6-over-par during the nine holes. Rippey bested Ayla Scritchfield of Canton by four strokes for the victory.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE YOUTH PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEURS

The Portage County Matt Mishler Junior Amateur is now 18 years old and the Portage County Kids Amateur recorded scores for the 10th annual event.

Bryan Harvey (left) laughs during a moment with youth golfer.

The importance of providing practice and tournament competition for junior golfers is important, not only so they may enjoy and compete in the game but also to learn the rules of golf, keeping score and etiquette.

Bryan Harvey, coach of the Kent Roosevelt varsity girls team, was the brainstorm for the Kids Am, giving his girls summer program an opportunity to be a part of the Portage County Amateur

Watching the success with more than 40 kids competing from third grade and under to golfers entering ninth grade, offering them a first tournament experience.

Kids start by introducing each other and shaking hands on the first tee and finish in the pavilion at Sunny Hill Golf Course to receive medals, certificates and enjoy ice cream before gathering for a group photo.

The Matt Mishler Junior Portage County Amateur is a nice progression from the Kids Am as junior golfers 12 and under through age 19 prepare for the middle school and high school seasons with practices starting this week.

I love to watch both the kids and parents in the Kids Am. Kids hit the ball five inches and parents cheer. It is the way golf should be.

I look forward to next year’s Kids and Junior Amateurs. They are literally a great experience for everyone involved.

Youth golfers share a moment together during play at the 10th annual Kids Amateur golf tournament.

NOPGA TOURNAMENTS RESULTS

Local golfers continue to compete well in tournaments sponsored across northeast Ohio in the NOPGA events.

9-HOLE FUTURES TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP @ MUD RUN GOLF COURSE, AKRON

Boys 12-16: Champion: Eric Brio, Concord 39. 9. Nathan Kinter, Rootstown 47.

AYREANA RIPPEY

Girls 12-16: Champion: Chloe Wu, Solon 43. 6. Makenna Ward, Kent 53.

Girls 8-11: Champion: Ayreana Rippey, Suffield 40

9-HOLE FUTURES TOUR @ NORTH OLMSTED GOLF COURSE, NORTH OLMSTED

Boys 12-16: Champion: Eric Brio, Concord 33. 7. Alex Gruber, Aurora 45.

Girls 12-16: Champion Chloe Wu, Solon 33. 8. Makenna Ward, Kent 49.

Girls 8-11: Sai Kohara, Cuyahoga Falls 35. 3. Ayreana Rippey, Mogadore 40.

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.

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)

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

OUTINGS, TOURNAMENTS AND EVENTS

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. 14 – Kent State University Rango Invitational, Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Ravenna.

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.