By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

With the 55^th Portage County Senior Amateur in the record books, the series of four Amateurs have concluded for another season.

From young golfers from age 6 to senior golfers in their 80s, the Amateurs have been a staple on the golf calendar for 95 years.

A regular event in the county dating all the way back to 1930.

It is a rich history of champions, with the Senior split from the Amateur in 2015 even though there had been a Senior Division within the Amateur, the Junior Amateur beginning in 2006 and the Kids Am in 2014.

The progression of golfers has been one of the best to watch for those of us involved in the Amateurs.

Junior golfers and Kids Amateur competitors continue to solid success in high school and college.

Scan the scoreboards from the Kids and Junior Amateurs and you will find current high-school standouts from Southeast, Kent, Rootstown and Mogadore.

Amateur champions continue to golf their way to the winning circles in the senior divisions.

The very first Amateur champion in 1930 was Don Ulrich of Kent who also won several other events including a Rotary Ohio State Championship with his partner, Bill Gressard, a Portage County Amateur champion from 1946 through 1948.

Other Amateur champions have included Mike Morrow, Randy Dietz among a long list of both male and female golfers who later became golf professionals.  

THIS YEAR

There have been many exciting rounds in all four amateurs as well as playoffs or shortened tournaments due to the weather.

This year’s Senior Amateur included on the best rounds in recent history, fired by Dave Peck in the 60-69 Gold Division.

Peck’s round at Windmill Lakes Golf Course was 5-under-par 65 on the front nine and even-par on the back. It is a round worth revisiting for the four-time champion. Peck is the retired superintendent of Grantwood Country Club in Solon and continues to work part-time at Pepper Pike Golf Club.

A FEW SCRAMBLES STILL ON THE CALENDAR

There are several scrambles and events remaining on the golf calendar but leagues and tournaments are winding down.

Many of us will continue to play golf all winter, weather permitting at golf courses that are open throughout the year.

Leagues are invited to send the photos of their champions in th final weeks of their play.

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.