Blake Furgerson of turned an eight-shot deficit after two rounds of the 2008 Northeast Ohio Amateur into a six shot victory, courtesy of a stunning 66-69 finish at Fox Meadows GC in Medina today. Complete results are posted to the NOGA website here. Plain Dealer story here.

Love ‘go for broke’ golf? Skins games across the Northeast Ohio area are in full swing. Here’s where you can get in the game:

- The Monday $100 Big Skins Game at Chippewa GC in Doylestown is turning into a must-play event; it’s pretty routine to get 22+ guys just about every week. This weekly Monday game is open to all, so simply show up prior to the 11:30 start and check in at the pro shop to get into the game. More info here. (SCHEDULE NOTE: the July 14th Monday game will be held at 11 a.m. at Rosemont CC in Fairlawn due to an outing at Chippewa!!)

- The Wednesday $100 Skins Game at Grey Hawk GC in LaGrange resumes this week (July 2), with play starting at 1:30. Another open series, this skins game will now run every Wednesday at Grey Hawk for the rest of the season. Again, no pre-registration required; simply show up, check in and play. $30 golf/cart, $100 skins game entry.

- The Greater Cleveland Skins Game gears up again this Thursday at Pleasant Hills in Chardon at 5 p.m.

- Ironwood Golf Course in Hinckley will run it’s annual July 4th $50 Big Skins Game this coming Friday starting at 10:30 a.m. Again, no pre-reg required; simply show up and play.

Know of other open/weekly skins games or events? Email me the details to spread the word…

– Allen Freeman

Anthony Yacovazzi of Hudson posted six birdies in 14 holes at Sharon Golf Club to cruise to a 4 and 2 finals win over Randy Skorman, winning the 2008 Akron District Golf Association Match Play Championship.

But it wasn’t an easy march to get to the finals for the 21-year old Yacovazzi, as he had to face down some veteran ADGA players over his final two matches.

The two semi-final matches, played at Good Park, pitted Skorman against Larry Horner, and Dave Oates against Yacovazzi.

In the first semi-final match, Skorman used some great long iron play to post two eagles and a birdie in his round, ending the ‘giant-killer’ march of Horner, who had beaten the qualifier medalist and some talented young players to reach the semis. Skorman defeated Horner going away.

In the second semi-final match, Oates jumped out to an early 2-up lead after two holes, but the steady Yacovazzi kept plugging along and tied the match after six holes. Oates had trouble driving the ball in play much of the day and it finally caught up to him on the tenth, as Yacovazzi won that hole to go 1-up. But there was no quit in Oates, as he birdied the 12th to square the match. The match remained square until Oates three-putted the 16th, which ended up as the decisive margin in Yacovazzi’s 1-up win in the semis.

The Match Play win is Yacovazzi’s first individual title in the ADGA. Complete results of all the 2008 matches can be found here.

The ADGA’s next event is the Lazor Memorial 2-Man Better Ball Match Play event. The qualifier for that event will be held at Chippewa GC in Doylestown on Saturday, July 12. Complete details and registration information can be found on the ADGA website.

– Tim Davis and Allen Freeman

Fred Miller of Aurora did a great job of keeping the ball in play on a very windy day, and grabbed his first CGA win of the season at the stroke play event at Gleneagles GC in Twinsburg on Sunday.

Coming off recent knee surgery, Miller posted a 3-over par 39-36=75 to win by one shot over Allen Freeman and Mike Kracker.

Three skins were won on the day: birdie on the par-3 6th by Fred Miller; birdie on the par-4 3rd by Mike Angie; and birdie on the par-4 18th by Allen Freeman.

Freeman’s T2 finish and skin pushed him back to the top of the season-long points list, leading Kory Oslie by 40.

The next Championship Golf Association event is an individual stroke play tournament at Punderson GC in Newbury on Sunday, July 6 at 9 a.m. To enter, visit the CGA website or call 216-556-0219.

Final Results, 2008 CGA Gleneagles Stroke Play Event
Fred Miller   75
Mike Kracker   76
Al Freeman   76
Pat Tyrell   79
Bill Mooney   79
Mike Angie   80
Mike Mintz   80
Mark Ciccarello   80
Kyle Krumlauf   81
Jeff Jenkins   81
Bob DeJulius   82
Tony Ianazone   83
Scott Coe   85
Brian Tischler   85
Joe Denk   86
Steve Tishler   88
Bob Hanley   NC

– Allen Freeman

A bundle of skins were won at Thunder Hill in Week 11 of the Greater Cleveland Skins Game.

Mike Angie grabbed two skins with birdies on the 4th and 6th holes, and in doing so moved up eight spots on the Greater Cleveland Skins Game Leaderboard. Steve Blackburn Sr. captured a skin at number five. For the second playing in a row at Thunder Hill, Paul Kish birdied the tough 7th hole for a skin. George Martin birdied the 8th hole for the final skin of the night. Skins were worth $53.20 each.

Anthony Maenza grabbed the pin shot on #3 and George Martin had the pin shot on #9, worth $47 each.

Steve Blackburn Jr. still leads the Greater Cleveland Skins game but was shut out for the second straight week. Current Leaderboard standings below.

The Greater Cleveland Skins Game moves to Pleasant Hills this Thursday, July 3 starting at 5:30 pm. Green Fees will be $17.50 riding and $10.50 walking. Any players that want to play a “warm up 9 hole round” before the scheduled skins game must call the course first to make such arrangements.

Player are reminded that the Big $60 “Double Down” 9 Hole Skins Game is coming up Thursday, July 24 at Chardon Lakes GC. Only players that have participated at least one time in the Greater Cleveland Skins game can play that night.

Greater Cleveland Skins Game Leaderboard After Week 11
1) Steve Blackburn Jr.   $1113.07
2) Mark Foss   $563.50
3) Paul Kish   $557.80
4) John Niedzialek   $308.33
5) Dave Sotka   $294.83
6)  Brian McGinty   $264.50
7) Geoff Nicely   $236.50
8) George Martin   $229.70
9) Russ Rybka   $201.00
10) Mike Angie   $186.90
11) Corey Iacofano   $168.66
11) Rob Schustrich   $168.66
13) Garry Zehe   $166.50
14) Steve Blackburn Sr.   $162.00
15) Anthony Maenza   $127.00
16) Nick Anagnost   $107.33
17)  Phil Bosc   $103.50
18) Jeff Ettinger   $84.00
19) John Zook   $77.00
20) Al Freeman   $63.00
20) John Distefano   $63.00
22) Jim Lebzelter   $52.50
23) Dan Lanese   $45.50
24) Clff Paxson   $45.50
25) Tom Bond   $45.50

– John Niedzialek

Doug Barber posted a 2-under par 69 at Good Park GC in Akron to take the second round lead in the 2008 Northeast Ohio Amateur. See the Plain Dealer story here. Scores from the NOGA website are here. Rounds 3 and 4 will be played at Fox Meadow GC in Medina on Monday.

– Allen Freeman

Final results from the 2008 Ohio Public Links Mid-Amateur Championship, held at Chapel Hill Golf Course in Mt. Vernon OH, June 23 & 24:

– Allen Freeman

The first week of the $100 Big Skins game at Gray Hawk Golf Club in LaGrange last Wednesday was a resounding success. 17 players and a well conditioned golf course were a great start.

Unfortunately, there will be no event this Wednesday, June 25 due to a previously scheduled outing. But the game will resume next Wednesday, July 2 at 1:30 and will be held every Wednesday thereafter (it’s now booked on their schedule!).

If you are interested in playing in this open skins game, the details are here. See you at Grey Hawk…

– Allen Freeman

See the Plain Dealer story here on the first round of the 2008 Northeast Ohio Amateur Championship, played Monday at Oakwood Country Club. Scores from the NOGA website are here. Round 2 will be held at Good Park GC in Akron on Wednesday.

– Allen Freeman

Week 7 of the Chippewa Monday Night Scratch League was a rain out (actually, a lightning-out). The league picks up again this Monday with regular play.

IMPORTANT NOTE: the NEOHgolf.com email that went out was in error regarding Steak Night. Because of the rain out this past Monday, the First Cash Night/Steak Night has been rescheduled for Monday, July 14th. Mark your calendar and sorry for the email error..

– Allen Freeman

Mike Kracker and Chris Okeson tied for the top spot in the Championship Golf Association’s Modified Stableford event at The Quarry in North Canton on Sunday.

The pair each posted 22 points (1 point for par, 3 for birdie), with Kracker making 4 birdies and 10 pars while Okeson posted 3 birdies and 13 pars. Complete results and skin winners are posted below.

The next CGA event is an individual stroke play tournament at Gleneagles GC in Twinsburg on Sunday, June 29 at 9 a.m. To enter visit the CGA website or call 216-556-0219.

2008 CGA Modified Stableford Event, The Quarry
Ps   Name             Total Points
T1  Okeson, Chris  22  (3 Birdies, 13 Pars)
T1  Kracker, Mike  22  (4 Birdies, 10 Pars)
T3  Tyrrell, Pat  19  (3 Birdies, 10 Pars)
T3  Miller, Fred  19  (3 Birdies, 10 Pars)
5   Strang, Lance  17  (4 Birdies, 5 Pars)
T6  Coe, Scott  15  (2 Birdies, 9 Pars)
T6  Ash, Shane  15  (2 Birdies, 9 Pars)
8   Ciccarello, Mark  12  (2 Birdies, 6 Pars)
9   Jenkins, Jeff  11  (1 Birdie, 8 Pars)
10  Angie, Mike  9  (1 Birdie, 6 Pars)
11  Simoniello, Mike  7  (0 Birdies, 7 Pars)

SKINS:
Coe, Scott (Hole: 4  Score:  3)
Strang, Lance (Hole: 5  Score:  3)
Tyrrell, Pat (Hole: 10  Score:  3)
Kracker, Mike (Hole: 12  Score:  2)
Tyrrell, Pat (Hole: 14  Score:  3)
Coe, Scott (Hole: 16  Score:  3)

– Allen Freeman

The Akron District Golf Association kicked off its 2008 Match Play Championship this weekend at Good Park GC in Akron, with the Qualifier and Round of 32 being contested.

Results of the qualifying round that set the match play bracket are posted below. Vaugh Snyder was medalist at 2-under par 69, and a score of 79 was required to gain a spot in the matches:

1   Dave Oates – Exempt
2   Vaughn Snyder 36-33–69
3   Randy Skorman 36-34–70
4   Brad Wright 35-35–70
5   Dean Cutlip 37-34–71
6   Jason Chadima 34-37–71
7   Josh Clay 37-35–72
8   Ryan Stefanski 39-34–73
9   Aaron Crewse 36-37–73
10   Joe Hedrick 36-37–73
11   Tom Baugh 39-35–74
12   Ryan Coll 38-36–74
13   Rick Bryson 35-40–75
14   Mark Guadagni 39-36–75
15   Chet DeLong 38-37–75
16   Mike Burnett 38-37–75
17   Chris Minear 40-36–76
18   Brian Beebe 36-40–76
19   Charlie Manocchio 37-39–76
20   Kevin Pikus 40-36–76
21   Anthony Yacovazzi 38-38–76
22   Ryan Maxwell 39-38–77
23   Mark Thomas 35-42–77
24   Tom Stack 36-41–77
25   Tim Davis 34-43–77
26   A.J. Spalding 37-41–78
27   Rob Loomis 39-39–78
28   Derek Duda 37-41–78
29   Troy Leavery 41-37–78
30   Tommy Li 40-38–78
31   Larry Horner 39-39–78
32   Kellen Erdman 41-38–79

Failed to Qualify:
David Marshall 39-41–80
Tom Seever 43-37–80
Rich Slivinski 40-41–81
Anthony Vanckunas 40-41–81
Mike Mozingo 40-41–81
Dave Chapple 43-39–82
Mychal Agarenzo 42-40–82
Jim Grosso 42-41–83
Nick Stoll 37-46–83
Bill Mooney 40-45–85
Rushi Oza 46-39–85
Brad Stewart 42-45–87
Jim Cea DQ
Joe Ungvary Jr. NC
Kevin Larizza NC

Skin: $390 ea
No. 2 – Jason Chadima – Eagle
No. 14 – Vaughn Snyder – Eagle
No. 18 – Randy Skorman – Birdie

ROUND OF 32 RESULTS
The first round matches were conducted Sunday morning, and there were a couple of upsets. But perhaps the most spectacular was the wily veteran and former ADGA Director Larry Horner upending the qualifier medalist Vaughn Snyder with a 21 hole overtime win.

Current match results are here. Matches will resume next Saturday at Good Park with a 7 a.m. shotgun start.

– Allen Freeman

Fourteen players tested the sporty back nine at Pleasant Hills, and three skins were won on the first three holes of play, worth $107.33 each.

John Niedzialek won a skin with a birdie on the par-4 first hole. Dave Sotka eagled the par-5 second hole and Nick Anagnost birdied the par-4 third.

Paul Kish hit it tight on the fourth hole to get the pin there, while George Martin captured the pin shot on the fifth hole. Each pin shot was worth $49.00.

Steve Blackburn maintains his big lead the on the Greater Cleveland Skins Leaderboard, but was shut-out Thursday night.

The Cleveland Skins Game moves to Thunder Hill GC this Thursday, June 26 starting at 5:00pm. Green Fees will be $15.00 riding; please thank the course management for providing Greater Cleveland Skins Game participants with this great rate on a great course. 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.

Greater Cleveland Skins Game Leaderboard Through Week 10
1) Steve Blackburn Jr.   $1,110.27
2) Mark Foss   $563.50
3) Paul Kish   $504.60
4) John Niedzialek   $308.33
5) Dave Sotka   $294.83
6) Brian McGinty   $264.50
7) Geoff Nicely   $236.50
8) Russ Rybka   $201.00
9) Corey Iacofano   $168.66
9) Rob Schustrich   $168.66
11) Garry Zehe   $166.50
12) George Martin   $129.50
13) Steve Blackburn Sr.   $108.80
14) Nick Anagnost   $107.33
15) Phil Bosc   $103.50
16) Jeff Ettinger   $84.00
17) Mike Angie   $80.50
18) John Zook   $77.00
19) Anthony Maenza   $77.00
20) Al Freeman   $63.00
20) John Distefano   $63.00
22) Jim Lebzelter   $52.50
23) Dan Lanese   $45.50
24) Clff Paxson   $45.50
25) Tom Bond   $45.50

– John Niedzialek

Northeast Ohio golfers have their pick of tournament options this weekend:

- the Akron District Golf Association kicks off their two week Match Play event at Good Park with the qualifier on Saturday; details here

- the Championship Golf Association has an individual Modified Stableford points event at The Quarry in Canton on Sunday; details here

- SCAGA has a 2-Man Better Ball also at The Quarry on Saturday; details here

- the Golf Galaxy Tour plays a 2-Man Better Ball at Fowlers Mill in Chesterland on Saturday; details here

- the Cleveland Skins Game is at Pleasant Hill GC in Chardon on Thursday; details here

Pick a tournament format or a venue and register to play in one of these great events today!

–Allen Freeman

The pros at the challenging and well-conditioned Grey Hawk Golf Club in LaGrange (in southern Lorain County, at Routes 301 & 303) are launching a Wednesday $100 Big Skins game, matching the format of the Monday Chippewa skins game.

The Grey Hawk skins game is open to any player and will begin at 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Cost is $30 for the 18 holes of golf and cart, and $100 for the Big Skins pot. To play, simply show up by 1 and register in the pro shop; no advance registration required. Questions? Call the pro shop at 440-355-4844.

FOLLOW-UP (6/19/08): Based on my experience this past Wednesday, this new $100 skins game has potential. 17 players showed up for the initial game, the golf course was in great shape, and the pace of play was brisk. The guys at Grey Hawk did a great job running the game. The Grey Hawk $100 Skins Game could become the next ‘must-play’ weekday gig for serious competitors…

–Allen Freeman

In the always challenging Combined Score format (adding both player’s total 9-hole score together), the team of Randy Skorman and Tom Markham posted a great team round of even-par 70 to win this week’s Chippewa Monday Night Scratch League event. Showing the competitiveness of the league, their score was only a one-stroke win over Jim Niskanen and Tom Thompson.

A number of skins were won on the night, spreading around the wealth. So no major advances up the year-long season standings list, which is updated here.

Week 6 – 6/13/2008: Front Nine Combined Score
1  Markham – Skorman   70   $200.00 Gift Cert  $160 Pro Pot
2  Niskanen – Thompson   71   $100.00 GC 
T3  Ziggy – Seever  72 (SC)   $50.00 GC
T3  Marr – Li   72    
T3  Mallette – Kracker   72    

Skins: $80 ea    
Niskanen-Thompson #3 & #6
Cea – Pulk   #5 & #9 
Mallette – Kracker   #4

Senior Skins: $20 ea     
Niskanen-Thompson #3 + #6  
Cea – Pulk   #5 + #9
Olney – Brooker   #7  
M. Stiller – Leonard   #8
 
–Allen Freeman