By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Many recent golfers from schools in Portage County are competing in college, some are coaching high school golf teams and others have moved onto other professions.

Jake Britton, an alumnus of Garfield, is wearing several hats these days, including the Garfield G-Men varsity boys golf team.

However, Britton has dual professions outside of coaching.

Currently in his second year as the high-school coach, Britton graduated from Garfield in 2021 having played on the varsity golf team all four years.

Why is he coaching?

“I love the game and enjoy helping younger players improve, build confidence and develop a lifelong passion for golf,” Britton said.

He also loves drones.

“I have been into drones ever since I was younger,” said Britton.

One of his goals, to become a professional drone pilot.

“To become a commercial drone pilot, I needed to pass the FAA’s Part 107 exam to be licensed,” Britton continued.

He completed the FAA requirement in November 2024.

Following his completion of Part 107, Britton started his own company, SkyHawk Drone Services LLC.

His company has taken him all over for drone services.

“I have been to several states, including New York, Delaware, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Michigan, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Utah and Arizona,” continued Britton.

“These opportunities came through partnerships where my aerial-imaging skills, including scanning landscapes such as golf courses, were applied in ways that support the creation of immersive environments for training and simulation.”

Britton also graduated in May with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and is headed back to complete his Master’s in Accounting.
“My Master’s degree should be complete by this May. I currently work as an accountant at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin,” Britton concluded.

Golf coach, drone pilot, student and accountant.

You just never know the accomplishments of the coaches mentoring your athletes until you ask.

FOLLOWING COLLEGIATE GOLFERS

• Dillon Pendergast, graduated standout golfer from Mogadore, is now a junior playing for Cleveland State University.

During his sophomore season, Pendergast competed in 10 events, owning a 74.1 scoring average and carded his season-low round at the Red Flash Invitational, a 68, and tied for 19^th at the Horizon League Championship Tournament, helping the Vikings to a runner-up finish.

This year, Pendergast landed in the top five of the Golden Grizzlies Intercollegiate in Rochester, Mich., leading Cleveland State to a third-place finish.

Pendergast shot 1-under-par for the tournament as did his teammate Brody Simms from Dayton, and both were only three shots back from medalist honors.

The Vikings play five tournaments this fall, including one this weekend in Muncie, Ind., at the Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational hosted by Ball State.

• Gracyn Vidovic competed at the highest level in the state of Ohio playing for Aurora High School, advancing to the state tournament, leading Aurora to four district qualifying appearances and two sectional titles, earning Suburban League American Conference Player of the Year honors and averaging 72 during her senior season. Her low for an 18-hole round was 66.

She is continuing her success at Ashland University.

Competing in the first tournament for the Eagles, Vidovic shot a 77 at the Mount Union Invitational hosted by Tannenhauf Golf Course in Alliance.

Her 5-over-par round was good enough for third place in the 12-team tournament and helped lead Ashland to the overall championship.

Ashland competes in six total tournaments during the fall campaign.

• Brooklyn Millard, also from Aurora and alumni of the Greenmen program, is a member of the Toledo Rockets women’s golf team.

Millard, a sophomore this season, had an outstanding first year of college golf, playing in 11 tournaments.

Millard was ranked third on the team with a 77.2 stroke average and carded a pair of under-par rounds.

Toledo started its season at the Purdue Boilermaker Classic in West Lafayette, Ind., earning a 12th-place finish among the teams that included Kent State.

Millard carded the Rockets’ best round of the final day with a 4-over-par 76 and tied for 66^th place.

At the Inverness Classic in Toledo, the Rockets finished in 11^th place as Millard tied for 29^th place individually to lead the Rockets at 16-over-par 229 (82-71-76).

Toledo hosts the Rocket Classic on Oct. 6-7 at the Catawba Island Club in Port Clinton.

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 Summer and Fall.

GOLF CALENDAR

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

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.