Par for the Course: Pirates Play Golf receives scholarship gift

I would welcome everyone to the golf season with the first Par for the Course weekly column, however, the weather has been fantastic, and golfers have been out in droves playing local fairways.

Leagues are filling fast, new leagues are forming and tournaments are completing the golfing calendar for everyone who loves the game.

With the Masters Tournament in the books, it is time to focus on local golf, what’s coming as well as accomplishments and honors.

Pirates Play Golf

The Southeast varsity golf program has been welcoming youth, ages kindergarten through fifth grade, through the popular Pirates Play Golf program for more than five years. Cindy Fesemyer, varsity girls golf coach and retired Southeast Elementary physical education instructor, started the program.

Students who first experienced the game of golf through the program are now members of the high school varsity boys and girls golf teams.

This season, the Northern Ohio PGA recognized the importance of the after-school program, providing a $2,500 scholarship through the Northern Ohio PGA Section Foundation.

“The after-school golf program for the elementary school students helps grow the game of golf in northern Ohio,” said Danielle Nicholson, Northern Ohio PGA Foundation Director.

David Griffith, executive director of the NOPGA, and Nicholson visited the first session of Pirates Play Golf, featuring students from kindergarten through second grade and watched the students in action at full-swing, chipping and putting stations.

International Women's Day

The Northern Ohio PGA celebrated International Women’s Day, as they welcomed more than 30 girls to the Golf Dome in Chagrin Falls for a Girls Golf Night.

Local women working in the golf industry were on hand to teach clinics and explain why they chose golf as their profession and help guide the next generation of girls golf through clinics and small group sessions.

Portage County Amateurs

The long tradition of Portage County golf tournaments continues this season with the four Portage County Amateurs scheduled in July and August.

The 93rd Portage County Amateur continues a long tradition. Held the final full weekend in July, the event is 36 holes — 18 holes at Windmill Lakes in Ravenna on July 29 and 18 holes at Raccoon Hill in Kent.

Divided into three divisions (men residing in Portage County, men residing outside Portage County and women regardless of where they reside), the event winners are determined by total strokes. Golfers high school age and older are welcome.

The 53rd Portage County Senior Amateur competes the final weekend in August at Raccoon Hill on Aug. 26 and Windmill Lakes on Aug. 27. There are divisions for ages 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and older as well as women as golfers compete in the 36-hole tournament, with 18 holes each day.

The Amateurs welcome The Fairways at Twin Lakes and Birdie Shack, both of Kent, as title sponsors for the 17th Matt Mishler Junior Portage County Amateur and the 9th Portage County Kids Amateur.

The Junior Portage County Amateur tees off on July 24 at Windmill Lakes and July 25 at Sunny Hill Golf Course in Brimfield with three separate age divisions for boys and girls: 16-19, 13-15 and 12 and under. Ages 13 through 19 play 36 holes (18 at each course) while the 12 and under divisions will play 18 holes (nine at each course).

Finally, the 9th Kids Amateur had its largest participation in 2022 with more than 50 young girls competing. Taking place at Sunny Hill Golf Course in Brimfield, age divisions for boys and girls include grades 8-9 and 6-7 playing nine holes, grades 4-5 playing six holes and grades 3 and under playing four.

High school golfers help the youth golfers in the Kids Am as they compete, often in their first tournament, learning how to keep score, find golf balls, pace of play and respect for the game, including shaking hands when play is completed.

Designed to be a fun tournament, the event has been a favorite of youth golfers.

Registration forms are available at host courses (Windmill Lakes, Raccoon Hill and Sunny Hill), the sponsor course (Fairways at Twin Lakes), online at www.pcagolf.net and on the Facebook page "Record Courier Portage County Amateurs." Online registration is available through Venmo and PayPal.

For information call 330-206-9083.

Putt Around Downtown

Main Street Kent brings back the popular "Putt Around Downtown" this season sponsored by Jimmy Beers Golf, the Kaulig Companies and the Northern Ohio Golf Charities and Foundation.

On May 6, everyone is welcome to pick up a Jimmy Beers golf ball, scorecard, course map, drink ticket and raffle ticket. Registration is $15 per person at www.eventbrite.com/e/608928620897. Find the link on the Main Street Kent Facebook page.

Hours are noon to 5 p.m.

Tournament Calendar

(Please call 330-206-9083 or email golffam2@gmail.com to add an event to the calendar.)

Portage County Amateurs

Register at host courses, online at pcagolf.net or via Venmo and PayPal. Call 330-206-9083 for information.

93rd PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEUR, July 29-Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Ravenna; July 30-Raccoon Hill Golf Club, Kent. Registration deadline $90 by July 10, $100 by July 26.

Portage County, Open and Women’s Divisions.

53rd PORTAGE COUNTY SENIOR AMATEUR, Aug. 26-Raccoon Hill, Kent; Aug. 27-Windmill Lakes, Ravenna. Registration deadline $90 by Aug. 6, $100 by Aug. 23rd. Divisions: age 50-59, 60-69, 70 and older, women.

KIDS AND JR. AM TITLE SPONSORS: Fairways at Twin Lakes and Birdie Shack, Kent.

27TH MATT MISHLER PORTAGE COUNTY JUNIOR AMATEUR, July 24-Windmill Lakes, Ravenna; July 25-Sunny Hill, Kent. Registration deadline July 20. $60 for divisions ages 16-19 and 13-15, $45 ages 12 and under.

9TH PORTAGE COUNTY KIDS AM, July 23 at Sunny Hill Golf Course, Kent. Boys and girls grades 8-9 and 6-7 $20 for nine holes; grades 4-5 $20 for six holes; grades 3 and under $15 for 4 holes. Deadline: July 19.

Local Scrambles, Events and Tournaments

May 8: Fairways at Twin Lakes Spring Two Man Scramble. (Call 330-673-7888.)

May 13: Rootstown Wrestling Golf Scramble, Sleepy Hollow Golf Club, Alliance. ($400/team; Call Erin Brunner 330-431-1273.)

May 26: Main Street Ravenna’s first golf outing, Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Ravenna. ($125/person, other options available; Call 330-235-9509.)

May 28: Waterloo Athletic Booster Annual Golf Outing, Paradise Lake Golf and Banquet Center, Suffield. ($110/person; call Todd Wise 330-842-9279.)

May 31-June 1: 37th Ohio Senior Open, Firestone Country Club, Akron. (Deadline May 24, register at www.thenorthernohiopga.com.)

June 10-12: Northeast Ohio Amateur Championship, Windmill Lakes Golf Cub, Ravenna. (Call the Northern Ohio Golf Association at 440-686-1070).

June 11-12: Northeast Ohio Women’s Amateur Championship, Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Ravenna. (Call the Northern Ohio Golf Association at 440-686-1070)

July 26-28: 102nd Ohio Open, Westfield Country Club, Westfield Center. (Deadline June 19, register at www.thenorthernohiopga.com.)

Junior Tournaments

(The Northern Ohio PGA has a host of tournaments throughout northern Ohio for all ages and skills. Local tournaments are included here. For a complete list and to register online, log onto www.thenorthernohiopga.com and click junior golf.)

July 5-6: Windmill Lakes, Ravenna 36-hole NOPGA JR. Series Championship.

July 7: Fox Den, Stow 18-hole NOPGA Jr. Series.

July 25-26: 40th NOPGPA Jr. Tour Championship at Club Walden, Aurora.

Aug. 14: 18-Hole Collegiate Series, Barrington Golf Club, Aurora.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Par for the Course: Pirates Play Golf receives scholarship gift