Posts from — May 2008

The birdies — and an eagle — were flying at Chardon Lakes Thursday May 29th on a beautiful evening for golf. 

Brian McGinty birdied the 172-yard 11th hole, Mark Foss eagled the 471-yard 12th, Mike Angie birdied the 205-yard 14th hole, and George Martin made the most of his first appearance to the Greater Cleveland Skins Game with a birdie on the 382-yard 16th. Each of these birdies captured a skin worth $80.50 each.

Pin shot winners were Steve Blackburn Sr. on #11, and Paul Kish on # 14. Pin shots paid $49.00 each.

Steve Blackburn Jr. maintains the season-long lead in the quest for the Thompson Cup. But with his eagle skin, Mark Foss picked up some ground in the chase.

The Skins Game moves to Powderhorn GC next Thursday, June 5 starting at 5:00pm. Green fees will be $13 riding and $6 walking.  Please thank the course management for providing Greater Cleveland Skins Game participants with this special rate. Any players that want to play a “warm up 9 hole round” before the scheduled skins game must call the course first to make arrangements.

2008 Greater Cleveland Skins Game Leaderboard
Steve Blackburn Jr.  $740.60
Mark Foss  $563.50
Paul Kish  $317.60
Brian McGinty  $264.50
Geoff Nicely  $236.50
Russ Rybka  $201.00
Dave Sotka  $187.50
Garry Zehe  $166.50
Steve Blackburn Sr.  $108.80
Phil Bosc  $103.50
Jeff Ettinger  $84.00
Mike Angie  $80.50
George Martin  $80.50
John Niedzialek  $63.00
Al Freeman  $63.00
Jim Lebzelter  $52.50
Dan Lanese  $45.50
Cliff Paxson  $45.50
Tom Bond  $45.50

–John Niedzialek

The local qualifier for the 2008 Ohio Amateur Championship was held Tuesday, May 27 at Elyria Country Club. Dan Rush of Avon grabbed medalist honors with a smooth 3-under par 69, winning by two shots over Ben Cavey of Wadsworth and Zach Glassman of Highland Heights.

A score of 76 was needed to advance to the tournament proper, to be held at Findlay Country Club July 15-18.

Complete results for all players who participated in the qualifier are posted here.

–Allen Freeman

There are some great golf events coming up these first few weeks of June, and it’s time to get your entries in:

- the ADGA hosts its 54-Hole Stroke Play event this coming Saturday-Monday at Seven Hills GC, Brookledge GC and Portage CC; details here

- SCAGA holds its 36-hole individual stroke play event at Tam-o-Shanter this Saturday and Sunday; register here;

- the CGA will play an 18-hole individual stroke play event at Ironwood GC in Hinkley this Sunday; register here

- the Ungvary Memorial 2-Player Jumble will be played Saturday, June 7th at Akron’s Good Park GC; details here

- the CGA then travels to the fun Sugarbush GC for an individual event June 8th; register here

- the Ashland Am-Am 2-Player Better Ball will be played June 14 & 15 at the great Country Club of Ashland; details here

Plus the Greater Cleveland Skins Game is at Chardon Lakes GC this Thursday, May 29, and the Chippewa Monday Scratch League resumes this coming Monday after the Memorial Day break.

See it all on the NEOHgolf.com Tournament Calendar!

In my humble opinion, the beginning of June is the best time of the season to play golf in greater Cleveland and Akron. So get those entries in TODAY!

–Allen Freeman

Northeast Ohio golfers looking for another competitive event option should check out the tournaments of the Golf Galaxy Tour.

The events are a series of 2-player scrambles and better balls contested over the better public courses of greater Cleveland and Akron.

All of the prize payouts are made in Golf Galaxy gift certificates, but with an interesting twist: teams that win any event using the new Callaway iTour golf ball earn an additional $500 for the team in gift certificates as a bonus. So the return to the winning team is worthwhile if you play the bonus ball (but, candidly, not so much if you don’t, or don’t win).

Entry fees per player are listed below, which includes the green fees and carts. Players who choose to become “members” get the discounted VIP entry fee listed in parenthesis, but membership is not required. There are other optional games and prize levels that are too detailed to explain here; check the Golf Galaxy Tour website for details.

SAVE SOME MONEY WHEN YOU PLAY: enter the coupon code NEOHGOLF during any online registration and save $10 off the tournament entry fee or VIP Membership. Click here to learn more about any of these events. 

2008 GREATER CLEVELAND GOLF GALAXY TOUR SCHEDULE
- Saturday, June 7: Little Mountain CC, Concord, OH. 1:00 PM
$93 ($83 for VIPs) Best Ball Format.
- Saturday, June 21: Fowler’s Mill GC, Chesterland, OH. 1:30 PM
$89 ($79 for VIPs) Best Ball Format.
- Saturday, July 26: Greyhawk GC,  Lagrange, OH. 11:00 AM
$81 entry fee ($71 for VIPs) Best Ball Format.
- Saturday, August 9: Windmill Lakes GC, Ravenna, OH.  11:00 AM
$84 entry fee ($74 for VIPs) Best Ball Format.
- Saturday, August 23: Blue Heron GC, Medina, OH. 11:00 AM
$97 entry fee ($87 for VIPs) Scramble Format.
- Saturday, September 6: The Quarry GC, Canton, OH. 12:00 PM
$86 entry fee ($76 for VIPs) Best Ball Format.

All of these events are now posted to the NEOHgolf.com Tournament Calendar.

Click here to visit the Golf Galaxy Tour website to learn more about or enter any of these events.

–Allen Freeman

Kory Oslie of Ashland made it back-to-back wins, taking the Championship Golf Association stroke play event at Fowlers Mill GC in Chesterland on Sunday.

Oslie posted an even par round of 71 on the Maple and Lake nines to win by two strokes over Mike Angie and Mark Thomas. The victory jumps Oslie to the top of the CGA’s season-long points list.

The next CGA tournament is another individual stroke play event on Sunday, June 1 at Ironwood GC in Hinckley. To register for that event, visit the CGA website or call 216-556-0219.

2008 CGA Fowlers Mill Stroke Play Results
Oslie, Kory  34-37=71
Angie, Mike  35-38=73
Thomas, Mark  38-35=73
Foss, Mark  38-37=75
Sowa, Greg  40-35=75
Freeman, Al  35-42=77
Ciccarello, Mark  38-40=78
Coe, Scott  36-42=78
Hanley, Bob  38-40=78
Koelsch, Ted  37-41=78
Borlin, Mark  40-39=79
Davis, Gary  38-41=79
Jenkins, Jeff  39-40=79
Mintz, Mike  37-42=79
Mooney, Bill 37-42=79
Selzer, Todd  40-39=79
Smith, Brian 44-35=79
Heran, Scott  38-42=80
Marshall, Dave  38-42=80
Thompson, Drew 40-40=80
Congin, Gary 39-42=81
Feist, Steve  40-41=81
Lynch, Michael  40-41=81
Rybka, Russ  38-43=81
Boarman, Lou  40-45=85
DeJulius, Bob  45-43=88
Mezarous, Gary  43-46=89
Semenello, Mike  45-45=90
Smiley, Brad  46-45=91
Sidun, Jim  48-45=93

SKINS
Semenello, Mike (Hole: 8  Birdie 3)
Koelsch, Ted (Hole: 15 Birdie 3)
Smith, Brian (Hole: 17 Eagle 3)

–Allen Freeman

Birdies were scarce at Thunder Hill GC in Madison on Thursday — only four birdies were made by the entire field on the day!

Steve Blackburn Jr. of Willowick made the most of his birdie on the long par-4 fifth hole, capturing the only skin and the entire $299 pot. Blackburn Jr., the 2006 Greater Cleveland Skins Game Champion and the 2007 Greater Cleveland Shoot-Out Champion, climbs to the top of the 2008 Leaderboard in quest of his second Thompson Cup.

Pin shot winners were Dan Lanese on the third hole and Cliff Paxson on the 9th hole worth $45.50 each.

The Cleveland Skins Game moves to Chardon Lakes GC on Thursday, May 29 starting at 5:00pm. Green Fees will be $21.00 riding. Any players that wants to play a “warm up 9 hole round” before the scheduled skins game must call the course first to make such arrangements.

2008 Greater Cleveland Skins Game Leaderboard
Steve Blackburn Jr.  $740.60
Mark Foss  $483.00
Paul Kish  $268.60
Geoff Nicely  $236.50
Russ Rybka  $201.00
Dave Sotka  $187.50
Brian McGinty  $184.00
Garry Zehe  $166.50
Phil Bosc  $103.50
Jeff Ettinger  $84.00
John Niedzialek  $63.00
Al Freeman  $63.00
Steve Blackburn Sr.  $59.80
Jim Lebzelter  $52.50
Dan Lanese  $45.50
Cliff Paxson  $45.50
Tom Bond  $45.50

– John Niedzialek

Looking for a different type of event in which to compete? Thunder Hill GC in Madison is hosting a 2-Player “Golf and Fish” Tournament, to be held on May 31. A two-player “jumble event” preceeds a fishing event, with prizes, food and live entertainment included. Details on the PDF entry blank here, or call the Thunder Hill Pro Shop at 440-298-3474.

–Allen Freeman

The Chippewa Scratch League held its first night of “combined score” (where both players nine-hole scores count for the team total) — and, candidly, the golf course won.

Three teams tied for the victory with a total score of six-over par 78, which pretty much says it all. Congrats to Mike Armour and Tommy Li, Tom Stiller and Dave Petracca, and Sam Spino and Dave Oates for grinding their way to the win.

There were also a number of skins won (complete results below), again showing that the golf course had more teeth than any team of players this early in the season. But cash is cash…

NOTE there is no league play next Monday due to the Memorial Day holiday; play will resume Monday, June 2.

Week 3 Results – 5/19/08: Combined Score, Back Nine
T1st Armour – Li 78  
T1st T. Stiller – Petracca 78   
T1st Spino – Oates 78 
($56 per team Pro Pot; Gift Certificates TBD) 

Skins – $120 each   
Thompson – Niskanen #10  
Olney – Pillitiere #13
Spino – Oates #15
Armour – Li #17 
 
Sr. Skins – $15 each  
Niskanen-Thompson #10 & #11  
Cea – Davis #12
T.Stiller – Petracca #14 & #15  
Kline – Kline #18

Note: the year-long 2008 Chippewa Scratch League Standings will be posted weekly once the final number of teams are determined for gift certificate prize amounts.

–Allen Freeman

In cold, windy and wet conditions (which is starting to sound like a broken record this spring), Kory Oslie posted a great front-nine score of 35 and a two-over par 73 to lap the small field at the Championship Golf Association stroke play event at Eagle Creek in Norwalk on Sunday. Oslie won by four shots over Norton Brick of Elyria.

The next CGA event is an individual stroke play tournament at Fowlers Mill GC in Chesterland on Sunday, May 25. To enter, visit the CGA Website or call 216-556-0219.

FINAL RESULTS, CGA STROKE PLAY AT EAGLE CREEK
Sunday, May 18, 2008

Oslie, Kory  35-38=73
Brick, Norton  42-35=77
Koelsch, Ted  38-40=78
Selzer, Todd  38-40=78
Schembechler, Richie  39-40=79
Angie, Mike  40-41=81
Ash, Shane  39-42=81
Bartko, Paul  44-40=84
Wilkens, Pat  43-41=84
Jenkins, Jeff  42-43=85
Selzer, Adam  44-42=86
Smith, Brian  40-46=86
Tischler, Brian  48-43=91
Schembechler, Rich  48-46=94
Tischler, Steve  45-49=94
Means, Matt  48-51=99

SKINS
Oslie, Kory (Hole: 9  Score:  3)
Schembechler, Richie (Hole: 10  Score:  2)
Koelsch, Ted (Hole: 11  Score:  4)
Brick, Norton (Hole: 16  Score:  2)
Bartko, Paul (Hole: 18  Score:  4)

–Allen Freeman

On yet another blustery, cold and rainy golf day, the team of Jeff Meighen, Tom McClary, Danny Mosholder and Chuck Moore posted a solid score of 14-under par 56 to win the ADGA 4-Man Scramble at the Fairways of North Canton by one shot.

The putting was difficult with sweeping hole locations, but the golf course was in great shape. The combination of tricky greens and challenging weather kept the scores from going too low.

Two teams tied for second at 13-under par, and two eagle skins were won on the day. Complete results posted below.

The next ADGA event is the 54-hole Individual Medal Play, starting May 31 on three courses. To enter, visit the ADGA online registration form or call 440-848-8364.

2008 ADGA Four Man Scramble sponsored by Sattler Machine
Fairways of North Canton , Saturday, May 17, 2008

1  Jeff Meighen / Tom McClary / Danny Mosholder / Chuck Moore  56  -14
$1,000
T2  Allen Freeman / Ryan Stefanski / Ty Kovach / Drew Thompson  57  -13
$700
T2  Charlie Schrader / Tom DeFrancesco / Paul Nehlsen / Mike Lutz  57  -13
$700
T4  Fred Martin / Tom Stack / Joe Hedrick / Jim Tarter  58  -12
$160
T4  Mike Burnett / Mike Mozingo / Ted Koelsch / Andy Minno  58  -12
$160
T4  Dave Barnes / Pat Wheeler / Dennis Wheeler / Steve Fricker  58  -12
$160
T4  Charlie Manocchio / Tom McBride / Bart Williams / Ross Beal  58  -12
$160
T8  Matt Considine/Colin Clemente/Michael Considine/Doug Underwood  59  -11
T8  Dan Marr / Mike Armour / David Trier / Joe Nemeth  59  -11
T10  Tom Seever / John Kern / Tommy Li / Dave Woodrum  60  -10
T10  Brad Shuff / Bill Stebelton / Kent Russell / Scott Savage  60  -10
T10  Scott Kline / Vic Kline / Chad Kline / Roger Kline  60  -10
13  Tony Cox / Dave Heffelman / Ric Haury / John Dzurik  61  -9
T14  Aaron Crewse / Jeff Gainer / Rich Lowry / Jeff Covert  62  -8
T14  Kevin Larizza / Tom Markham / Dean Cutlip / Randy Skorman  62  -8
T16  Tim Davis / Jim Cea / John Johnston / Dave Sattler  63  -7
T16  Tom Baugh / Mike Demeter / John Bader / Rob Yanko  63  -7
T16  Tom Stiller / Mike Stiller / Jeff Leonard / Tom Skidmore  63  -7
19  David Marshall / Jim Niskanen / Paul Trenta / Tom Thompson  NC  NC

Team Skins – $360 each
Eagle No. 11 Schrader / DeFrancesco / Paul Nehlsen / Mike Lutz
Eagle No. 17 Larizza / Markham / Cutlip / Skorman

–Allen Freeman

18 players vied for the $540 pot on a chilly, blustery day at Fowlers Mill GC today, and three skins worth $138 each were won.

Russ Rybka of Bainbridge made the most of his first trip to the Greater Cleveland Skins Game, as he cashed in on a pin shot/birdie combination on the 190-yard par-3 third hole, good for a $201 total.

Steve Blackburn Jr. won the second skin with an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole, knocking in a 50-foot bomb of a putt.

And Mark Foss continued his steady play and still sits atop the 2008 Greater Cleveland Skins Game Leaderboard after his birdie on the par-4 ninth hole captured the third skin of the evening.

Allen Freeman found his way onto the 2008 Leaderboard by capturing the pin shot on the seventh hole, worth $63.00.

The Skins game moves to Thunder Hill in Madison next Thursday (May 22) starting at 5:00 p.m. Green Fee rates will be $15.00 riding. Please thank the course management for providing Greater Cleveland Skins Game participants with this special rate. Any players that wants a “warm up 9 hole round” before the scheduled skins game must call the course first to make such arrangements.

2008 Greater Cleveland Skins Game Leaderboard
1) Mark Foss – $483.00
2) Steve Blackburn Jr. – $441.60
3) Paul Kish – $268.60
4) Geoff Nicely – $236.50
5) Russ Rybka – $201.00
6) Dave Sotka – $187.50
7) Brian McGinty – $184.00
8) Garry Zehe – $166.50
9)  Phil Bosc – $103.50
10) Jeff Ettinger – $84.00
11) John Niedzialek – $63.00
12) Allen Freeman – $63.00
13) Steve Blackburn Sr. – $59.80
14) Jim Lebzelter – $52.50
15) Tom Bond – $45.50

– John Niedzialek

Click here for complete results from the 2008 Ohio Senior Open, played May 14-15 at Firestone Country Club West Course…

–Allen Freeman