By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Three of the four Portage County Amateurs are in the record books for 2025, with only the 55th Senior Amateur remaining to compete in the final weekend in August.

This week, this column focuses on the 11th Kids Am and its success.

It was the 11th year for the Kids Amateur that takes over the entire middle nine at Sunny Hill Golf Course in Brimfield. Robin Liggett, manager at Sunny Hill, and her staff are welcoming to the very young golfers, who sometimes skip down the cart path to get to their next hole.

The youngest group of golfers play four, six or nine holes — and, sometimes, it’s their very first-ever tournament or competition.

High-school golfers from Southeast, Kent Roosevelet and Rootstown walked with the golfers and helped them learn scoring, some course rules and etiquette.

At one point during the event, I watched five carts following two of the youngest girls as grandparents, parents and siblings cheered the kids in the tournament.

It is a wonderful experience for the kids to make friends and celebrate the joy of golf.

Bryan Harvey, successful coach of the Kent Roosevelt girls, who earned his 150^th victory during the 2024-25 season, was the inspiration for the Kids Amateur, wanting the golfers in his Little Girls League to be included under the Amateur umbrella of events.

It has continued to grow, with parents watching their kids and sometimes helping as needed.

This year, Keith Waesch, coach of the Rootstown Rovers, with 444 victories as the high school coach over the last 28 years, also helped the youngest golfers and aided with adding scorecards at the end.

Coach Harvey topped it off for the kids, bringing ice cream as an end-of-tournament treat on a hot day.

It is a fun gathering each year towards the end of July as junior athletes find the fun in the sport they will grow to love.

Next week, I will write a similar wrap-up for the Matt Mishler Junior Portage County Amateur.

GET YOUR KIDS INVOLVED IN GOLF

The 2025 Fall Junior Golf League at Olde Dutch Mill begins Sept.  an continues Sundays at 4 p.m. through Oct. 12.

The league is recommended for ages 6 to 14 and includes on-course instruction from Mike Jenior, head golf professional and director of golf at Olde Dutch Mill and certified U.S. Kids instructor. The league includes fun drills and competitions each week to hone junior golfers skills and knowledge. Prizes are given out each week.

Juniors will play nine holes paired in the same age division with an end of season banquet and prize raffle on Oct. 12.

Registration is $150.

Parents are encouraged to spectate or caddy each week and spend time wiwth their junior golfers.

Sign up by calling 330-654-4100.

SOUTHEAST BOOSTERS SCRAMBLE

The Southeast Athletic Boosters are hosting the annual Danny Wittenberry Memorial Golf Outing at Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course in Lake Milton. For the 12th year, the four-person scramble welcomes Pirates fans supporting the athletic boosters.

The $100 per person registration includes golf, beverages, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Contests include 50/50, skins game, hole-in-one contest, mulligans and hole prizes.

To register call Bruce Leifeit 330-885-1327 or Brenda Thomas 330-310-1515.

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 9: 12^th Annual Danny Wittenberry Memorial Golf Outing, Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course, Lake Milton. (Four-person scramble, $100 per person) Contact Bruce Leifeit 330-885-1327, Brenda Thomas 330-310-1515. Checks payable to Southeast Athletic Boosters.

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.

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.

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.

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^.