Zoar golf tourney will honor and remember those who have contributed to the game
The annual Zoar Memorial Amateur Championship is set for Saturday and Sunday at Zoar Golf Club.
The 36-hole tournament features some of the best amateur players from Ohio and surrounding states. The 2021 champion, Dylan Kauffman from Sugarcreek, is unable to defend his title this year so the Champions Crystal is up for grabs.
In the Senior Division, Matt Bitikofer from Strasburg is returning to defend his title.
Past champions also returning include Eric Crone, Brad Baker, Rob Schustrich, Dave Clarke and Aaron Crewse.
As is the tradition, the tournament will honor and remember those who have contributed to the game of golf.
This year’s honoree is Dr. Barb Easlick. A native of Dover, she was a three-sport star at Kent State University. Upon graduation, she worked at Bent Tree Golf and Racquet Club in Sarasota, Fla., and began her quest to join the LPGA Tour, coming close several times. She worked with PGA Professionals Johnny Kindred and David Leadbetter then came home to Dover and became the golf instructor at Zoar Golf Club for over 25 years.
She also served as the women’s basketball coach and started the softball program at Malone University before becoming a professor in the School of Business. Easlick was inducted into the Malone Hall of Fame in 2002 and retired from Malone University in 2015 after 30 years of service. Today she spends her Winters in Wildwood, Fla., and her summers in Grand Junction, Colo.
The Zoar Memorial will also honor Max McConnell of Coshocton, who owned and operated the hardware store in Roscoe Village.
He started caddying at Hilltop GC in 1936 when most players tipped a nickel. He finished second in the state amateur championship in 1940. McConnell won the county championship, known as the Tribune Tournament, in 1938 at age of 16, winning five more times.
When asked why he never turned pro, he said, “It was considered a gypsy life back then and the winners made very little money.”
McConnell was a veteran of World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Silver Star, and a presidential citation for “unselfish gallantry on the battle field as a medic.” He was credited with helping his platoon receive the presidential citation, mentioning his leadership enabling the men to stand strong while fighting five days straight with no sleep.
McConnell and his wife Mary Ann have three children. Mark was the PGA professional for 22 years at Sewickley (Pa.) Country Club in Pennsylvania. Cynthia played at Ohio State from 1974-78 and taught in the Dublin school system. Craig is in his 28th year at Oak Shadows Golf Club after spending five years at Union Country Club.
The first round of the Zoar Memorial starts at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Zoar Golf Club.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Zoar Memorial Amateur Championship on tap this weekend
