Champions in the County Division of the 95th Portage County Amateur were (left to right) James Morgan, Luke Harrington and Dove Fall.

By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

I have to admit that I am honored to host the Portage County Amateur each season.

Imagine … this was the 95^th Portage County Amateur.

With only five short years until the 100^th Portage County Amateur, it is one of the longest-running events in the state.

This season’s amateur championship did not disappoint.

It featured returning golfers that were once high-school standouts, current high-school golfers, and talented women, all from both within Portage County and outside the home county’s boundaries.

The Portage County Amateur is unique, played on two courses over two days within the Portage County limits and includes three divisions: Golfers living within Portage County, golfers residing out of the Portage County boundaries and women.

In both the County and Open divisions, the golfers play from the same tees so everyone can compare how they played against the field but the Amateur has always honored the best golfers in Portage County while welcoming everyone year-after-year.

This year’s Amateur did not disappoint although it was only the fourth time in Amateur history that the event had to be shortened to 18 holes due to the torrential rain that fell on Windmill Lakes Golf Course during the opening round.

The event became a one-day tournament, competed at the challenging Raccoon Hill Golf Club in Kent.

Windham’s David Pifer served as the enthusiastic starter at the 95th Portage County Amateur.

In the County Division, champions included former Aurora High School standout Lucas Harrington shooting a 1-under-par 70, Dove Fall of Windham, former high school golf coach and manager of Sugarbush Golf Club in Garrettsville, firing a 1-over-par 72 and current high-school senior and 2024 state qualifier James Morgan carding a 73.

First-time champion Christina Nagy of Macedonia won the women’s championship, winning by two strokes over Hannah Higgins of North Canton. Rounding out the top three was Jayln Bruns of Fort Recovery.

Finally, in the Open Division, Zach Huscusson of Canton scored a 1-over-par 72 to top former Aurora standout Andrew Hinton (73) of Hilliard and Michael Furey of Lakewood (74) an alumnus of the John Carroll men’s golf team.

It is a reunion of sorts for many of the golfers who competed in high school or college together when they meet on the links of the Portage County Amateur.

Windmill Lakes and Raccoon Hill Golf Clubs offer the perfect competitive challenge since they are uniquely different from each other.

Thanks to both golf courses and their managers, Mike Maxwell at Windmill Lakes and Jason Turner at Raccoon for welcoming the Amateur year after year.

A special thank you to David Pifer of Windham, who is the enthusiastic starter for the Amateur at Raccoon Hill each year.

Thank you also to the Amateur sponsors: Portage Sports, Fairways at Twin Lakes and Birdie Shack for their continued support.

NEXT UP, THE SENIOR AMATEUR

The final tournament under the Portage County Amateurs umbrella is scheduled to compete at Windmill Lakes and Raccoon Hill Golf Clubs the final weekend in August.

Men compete in age divisions 50-59, 60-69 and 70-plus.

The senior amateur is such a fun event with golfers returning regularly each year, enjoying the competitive challenge and often seeing old friends that they may not have seen for a year.

To compete, please register at PCAGolf.net, register at host golf courses or call 330-206-9083, email golffam2@gmail.com, for additional options. You may register online, in person or mail in your registrations.

Looking forward to seeing everyone on the growling list of golfers competing in the 55^th Portage County Senior Amateur.

75^th NOPGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

MARK SIERAK

The Northern Ohio hosted the 75^th Professional Championship that qualifies the winning golf professionals to the 58^th PGA Professional Championship scheduled for April 26-29 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, OR.

It was an amazing demonstration of golf course management and skill as the five qualifying professionals played three rounds at Tippecanoe Country Club in Canfield.

The five qualifying professionals and their three rounds include:

• Jaysen Hansen, Toledo Country Club head professional — 71-69-69 212
• Jim Troy, Golf Dome instructor — 75-70-67 212
• Anthony Panepento, Canterbury Golf Club assistant — 76-67-70 213
• Mike Stone, Belmont Country Club Director of Instruction — 72-73-69 216
• and Mark Sierak, Optimus Golf owner and former head professional at Barrington Golf Club — 71-73-72 216

Sierak is also the Regional Impact Officer for the Northern Ohio Folds of Honor.

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.

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.

SEPT. 6: Randolph Volunteer Fire Department Golf Scramble: Paradise Lake Golf Club, Suffield.

Oct. 4: CHUBBS PETERSON MEMORIAL SCRAMBLE: Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course, Lake Milton. (Happy Gilmore inspired) four-person scramble. $100 per person includes lunch, dinner, drink tickets, tee gift and skins. 330-654-4100

Oct. 19: CROSS COUNTRY SCRAMBLE: Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course, Lake Milton. Four-person scramble, nine created holes across the 18-holes of Olde Dutch. $200 per team includes golf, cart, two drink tickets, skins, food and prizes. 330-654-4100

Nov. 1: GREENS KEEPER’S REVENGE: Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course, Lake Milton. Four-person scramble, $300 per team includes golf, cart, two drink tickets, skins, food and prizes. 330-654-4100

PORTAGE COUNTY SENIOR AMATEUR

Aug. 30-31: Raccoon Hill Golf Club, Kent and Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Ravenna. Divisions: Ages 50-59, 60-69, 70-plus. Register via Venmo or Paypal at PCAGolf.net, register at host courses including Sunny Hill Golf Club, host of the Kids Am and Junior Am; obtain registration form on webpage or Amateurs Facebook page and mail to: 2739 Tallmadge Road, Ravenna, OH 44266. Registration fee $90 by Aug. 8, $100 by Aug. 27.