Posts from — August 2008
2008 Tri-County Regional Press Tournament
by Allen Freeman | August 30, 2008 Comments Off
Mens’ and Womens’ Club Champions, runners-up or golf course representatives from Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula Counties can enter the Tri-County Regional Press Tournament, to be played on Sunday, September 7th at Lost Nation Golf Course in Willoughby.
This in one of Ohio’s oldest amateur golf tournaments, started in 1928 and sponsored by the Painesville Telegraph and the late Bob Thompson. The tournament is played for the Silver Trophy, now a valuable antique that bears the names and courses of the winners and is displayed in Perry, Ohio.
If you reside in one of the Tri-counties and wish to play, contact Jim Evans at 440-354-4256.
Greater Cleveland Skins Game: Week 20 Results
by John Niedzialek | August 29, 2008 Comments Off
Allen Freeman and Rob Schustrich had their pockets full when they left Fowlers Mill on Thursday, capturing the two skins on the night worth $253 each. Freeman birdied the tipped-out, back tee par-4 1st hole of 459 yards, while Schustrich birdied Pete Dye’s crazy downhill, sidehill, dogleg-right par-4 6th hole.
Phil Bojc took the pin shot on Hole 3 and John Distefano grabbed Hole 7. Each pin shot was worth $77.
Freeman moved up 12 spots on the leaderboard with his big skin to 12th place, and Schustrich climbed to eighth place.
Steve Blackburn Jr. has been quiet for the last eight weeks but still holds the lead of the Greater Cleveland Skin Game, in his quest for the Thompson Cup.
The Skins Game moves to Chardon Lakes GC this Thursday, September 4th starting at 5 pm. Green Fees will be $21.00 riding and $15.00 walking. Players looking for a warm up 9-hole round before the scheduled skins game must call the course first to make such arrangements.
Also, players should check this Northeast Ohio Golf website for tee times for Monday’s Cleveland Shoot-Out, beginning at noon at Fowlers Mill. Groupings and Starting Times will be made on Sunday and posted to the website sometime Sunday evening.
Greater Cleveland Skins Game Leaderboard Through Week 20
1) Steve Blackburn Jr. $1,253.77
2) Mark Foss $1,035.00
3) John Niedzialek $874.50
4) Paul Kish $726.46
5) Mike Angie $438.39
6) Geoff Nicely $431.50
7) Nick Anagnost $429.33
8) Rob Schustrich $421.66
9) Ryan Stefanski $345.00
10) Dave Sotka $340.33
11) Steve Blackburn Sr. $340.00
12) Allen Freeman $316.00
13) George Martin $268.20
14) Brian McGinty $264.50
15) Russ Rybka $201.00
16) Phil Bojc $180.50
17)Corey Iacofano $168.66
18) Garry Zehe $166.50
19) Jim Lebzelter $151.83
20) Josh Krause $144.83
21) John Distefano $140.00
22) Anthony Maenza $127.00
23) Dan Lanese $98.00
24) Jeff Ettinger $84.00
25) John Zook $77.00
26) Clint Paxson $45.50
26) Tom Bond $45.50
28) Cliff Lawrence $36.00
29) Ron Rositani $33.00
30) Matt White $33.00
– John Niedzialek
Chippewa Scratch League – Week 15 Results
by Allen Freeman | August 26, 2008 Comments Off
The teams of Dan Marr / Mike Armour and Dave Oates / Sam Spino tied for first place in the scramble format at Chippewa on Monday, posting scores of 6-under par 29.
The tie for first moves Oates and Spino even further ahead in the season-long points race, to over $500 up on the third place spot; standings updated here.
The big skins carry over until Monday, September 8th, as there is no league this coming Labor Day Monday.
Week 15 – 8/25/08: Scramble – Front Nine
T1st – Marr – Armour 29 $ 90.00 PP $150.00 Gift Cert
T1st – Spino – Oates 29 $ 90.00 PP $150.00 GC
3rd – Chadima – Thompson 30 (SC) $ 50.00 GC
Skins: Carry Over
Sr. Skins: $40 ea
Mcendree – Cornelious #2
Olney – Brooker #5
T.Stiller – Petracca #8
–Allen Freeman
Labor Day Weekend Golf
by Allen Freeman | August 26, 2008 Comments Off
Some fun golf coming up, as September rolls around:
- The Turkeyfoot Club Championship is this Saturday and Sunday, a 36-hole individual stroke play event. Call the pro shop at 330-644-5971 for entry information.
- The Cleveland Shoot-Out will be played on Labor Day Monday, open to all players who have competed in at least two events this season in the Greater Cleveland Skins Game. Details here.
- Even though the scratch league takes the holiday off on Monday, the Chippewa $100 Skins Game will still go on starting at 11:45, according to Mike Armour. Simply show up and play…
- The ADGA Open at Raintree Country Club in Uniontown, 18-hole individual stroke play event, is coming up on Sunday, September 7. Entry deadline is Wednesday, September 3. See the ADGA website for details.
–Allen Freeman
Bohardt and Marlowe Medal at Local U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier
by Allen Freeman | August 26, 2008 Comments Off
Tom Bohardt of Concord Township and Richard Marlowe of Youngstown each posted 1-under par 70 at Acacia Country Club on Monday to qualify for the United States Senior Amateur Championship at Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas September 20 – 25.
Complete scores from the local U.S. Senior Amateur qualifier are here.
–Allen Freeman
Dr. Jeff Mallette Wins 2008 Chippewa Championship By One Over Dave Oates
by Allen Freeman | August 25, 2008 Comments Off
Dr. Jeff Mallette of North Canton posted sterling scores of 70-72 for an even par total of 142 to beat defending champion Dave Oates by a single stroke in the 2008 Chippewa Golf Club Championship in Doylestown this past weekend.
More than 100 competitors teed it up in the Chippewa Championship, by far the largest field for the event.
As always, the greens were lightning quick for the Chippewa Championship, and the hole locations were challenging but fair (except for Hole 15 on Saturday; that one was suspect). Players raved that the golf course was in immaculate condition, and even though the course played fast, a well-struck shot typically received a fair result.
Mallette and Oates ran out from the rest of the pack on the final six holes Sunday, making for a match play situation. The round turned on the 15th hole (where else?) when Oates made double-bogey. But Oates made a great par on the stretched-out 18th hole, forcing Mallette to hole a 5-footer on the last to win.
The big skins pot winners were Drew Thompson, who holed a 3-iron from 207 yards after hitting the tree off the tee on the 13th hole on Saturday; and Tom Markham, who in two days made the only birdie on the par four 5th hole.
Kudos as always to Kevin Larizza for his ability to host a championship event and a great shindig at the same time; to Brad Stewart and his staff for the condition of the golf course; and to Eric, Don, Dan, Chappy, Tim Davis, et al for keeping the tournament machine running smoothly.
2008 Chippewa Golf Club Championship, Final Results
August 23-24, 2008, Doylestown, Ohio:
Mallette, Jeff, 70-72 = 142
Oates, David, 71-72 = 143
Trier, David, 75-73 = 148
Okeson, Chris, 74-76 = 150
Marr, Dan, 74-76 = 150
Spino, Sam, 72-79 = 151
Hedrick, Joe, 74-77 = 151
Stefanski, Ryan, 73-78 = 151
Hahn, John, 77-74 = 151
Kracker, Mike, 76-76 = 152
Horner, Larry, 76-78 = 154
McBride, Tom, 77-78 = 155
Jadgchew, Jon, 82-73 = 155
Freeman, Allen, 80-76 = 156
Stiller, Tom, 80-76 = 156
Miller, Fred, 82-74 = 156
Niskanen, Jim, 78-78 = 156
Yazovazzi, Anthony, 79-78 = 157
Jenkins, Jeff, 76-82 = 158
Albright, Carl , 78-80 = 158
Li, Tommy, 79-79 = 158
Phipps, Darren, 80-78 = 158
Heran, Scott, 80-78 = 158
Koprevic, Kenny, 73-86 = 159
Grubb, Jordan, 77-82 = 159
Grabowski, J.J., 75-85 = 160
Garza, Roy, 76-84 = 160
Thomas, Mark, 78-82 = 160
Guenther, John, 81-80 = 161
Cea, Jim, 79-83 = 162
Stack, Tom, 79-83 = 162
Dorman, Mark, 85-77 = 162
Thompson, Tom, 84-78 = 162
Stewart, Brad, 82-81 = 163
Schultz, Carl, 83-80 = 163
Smith, Rick, 82-81 = 163
Slivinski, Rich, 81-83 = 164
Stiller, Mike, 81-83 = 164
Markham, Tom, 86-79 = 165
Agarento, Mike, 81-84 = 165
Canter, Dave, 85-82 = 167
Richards, Bill, 81-87 = 168
Dean, Jeff, 90-78 = 168
Culver, Kevin, 85-85 = 170
Stonkus, Jim, 79-91 = 170
Woodrum, Woody, 82-88 = 170
Marshall, David, 83-87 = 170
Saxon, Mike , 86-84 = 170
Fisher, Blake, 88-82 = 170
Czetli, Aaron, 84-88 = 172
Hanzel, Tim, 84-88 = 172
Brooker, Jerry , 87-86 = 173
Schwindeman, Matt, 88-85 = 173
Tombs, Pat, 91-82 = 173
Szwast, Terry, 87-87 = 174
Lewis, Alan, 87-87 = 174
Wenger, Jeff, 84-91 = 175
Thompson, Drew, 83-92 = 175
Bartko, Paul, 88-87 = 175
Seever, Tom, 90-85 = 175
McCoy, Ron, 82-94 = 176
Myers, Kris, 84-92 = 176
Heleaney, Chris, 87-89 = 176
Mooney, Bill, 82-95 = 177
Loomis, Rob, 84-93 = 177
Trudell, Chris, 86-91 = 177
Hamilton, Mike, 88-89 = 177
Feeney, Pat, 85-93 = 178
Gainer, Mitch, 88-90 = 178
Rybka, Russel, 81-98 = 179
Larizza, Kevin, 85-95 = 180
Morlan, Christian, 88-92 = 180
Cornelius, Bob, 92-89 = 181
Jackson, Phil, 89-92 = 181
Williams, Mark, 93-88 = 181
Carpenter, Jay, 93-89 = 182
Glauss, Gary, 92-91 = 183
Biachi, Fred , 83-101 = 184
Petit, Jeff , 98-92 = 190
Yaich, Mike, 83-108 = 191
Hale, Robert, 86-107 = 193
Kerns, Mike, 97-96 = 193
Lahl, Jim, 98-96 = 194
Coats, Bill, 93-102 = 195
Moennich, Sean, 99-96 = 195
Sullvan, John, 93-104 = 197
Hinton, George , 99-102 = 201
Rowe, Jim, 102-104 = 206
Farnsworth, Phil, 109-109 = 218
Guernsey, Bruce, 112-112 = 224
Grosso, Jim, NS
Harbert, Brant, 97-NC = NC
Johnson, Mark, 88-NC = NC
Leonard, Jeff, 84-NS = NS
Armour, Mike , 80-NC = NC
Kimson, Steve, NS
Alexander, Ben, 106-NC = NC
Houmard, Bill, 88-NC = NC
Peterson, Kurt, 84-NS = NS
Rehm, Tom, 99-NC = NC
Karic, Zoran, 90-NC = NC
Chapple, Dave, WD
Willgues, Kurt, 78-NC = NC
Lynch, Mike, 88-NC = NC
Price, Shane, 81-NS = NS
Davis, Tim, 80-NC = NC
Calabria, JIm, 79-NC = NC
Van Nostran, Doug, 87-NC = NC
Barnett, Chris, 73-NC = NC
Flossie, Joe, 80-NC = NC
–Allen Freeman & Dave Chapple
Greater Cleveland Skins Game: Week 19 Results
by John Niedzialek | August 22, 2008 Comments Off
Ryan Stefanski had some good fortune on Thursday. After nearly hitting his tee shot into the water crossing the fairway on the relatively short par-5 12th hole at Thunder Hill GC, Stefanski got up-and-down from the left fringe to make birdie. That birdie turned out to be the only skin on the day, and he grabbed the entire pot of $345.
Mike Angie took the pin shot on #11, and Dan Lanese took #16. Each pin shot was worth $52.50.
Angie’s pin shot moves him up to the fifth position on the season-long leaderboard, still led by Steve Blackburn Jr.
Next week, the Greater Cleveland Skins Game moves to Fowlers Mill GC on Thursday, August 28 beginning at 5 p.m. This is the final week for players to reach the two events required to be eligible for the Cleveland Shoot-Out on Labor Day Monday. Show up Thursday and submit an entry to John or the pro shop for Labor Day!
Greater Cleveland Skins Game Leaderboard Through Week 19
1) Steve Blackburn Jr. $1,253.77
2) Mark Foss $1,035.00
3) John Niedzialek $874.50
4) Paul Kish $726.46
5) Mike Angie $438.39
6) Geoff Nicely $431.50
7) Nick Anagnost $429.33
8) Ryan Stefanski $345.00
9) Dave Sotka $340.33
10) Steve Blackburn Sr. $340.00
11) George Martin $268.20
12) Brian McGinty $264.50
13) Russ Rybka $201.00
14)Corey Iacofano $168.66
14) Rob Schustrich $168.66
16) Garry Zehe $166.50
17) Jim Lebzelter $151.83
18) Josh Krause $144.83
19) Anthony Maenza $127.00
20) Phil Bojc $103.50
21) Dan Lanese $98.00
22) Jeff Ettinger $84.00
23) John Zook $77.00
24) Al Freeman $63.00
24) John Distefano $63.00
26) Clint Paxson $45.50
27) Tom Bond $45.50
28) Cliff Lawrence $36.00
29) Ron Rositani $33.00
30) Matt White $33.00
– Allen Freeman
2008 Cleveland Shoot-Out Entry Blank Available
by Allen Freeman | August 20, 2008 Comments Off
The Greater Cleveland Shoot-Out, an 18-hole stroke play event run in association with the Greater Cleveland Skins Game, will be held once again on Labor Day Monday at Fowlers Mill GC (entry blank here).
But the field is liminted: if you want to play in the Shoot-Out on Labor Day, you must play in at least two events of the Greater Cleveland Skins Game during the season. And you only have a two weeks left to do so!
The Greater Cleveland Skins Game moves to Thunder Hill GC in Madison this Thursday, August 21 starting at 5 p.m. The following Thursday, the Skins Game travels to Fowlers Mill. So even if you have not yet played this season, you can play this Thursday, play next Thursday, and then play for the big money on Labor Day.
Entry deadline for the Shoot-Out is Saturday, August 30 at 5 p.m., and payment must be included — NO EXCEPTIONS! See the entry blank for complete details.
– Allen Freeman & John Niedzialek
Cleveland Metroparks Announce 2008 “Fall Golf Tour” Tournaments
by Allen Freeman | August 19, 2008 Comments Off
The Cleveland Metroparks hosts a series of scratch amateur golf tournaments every fall at four of its golf courses, always featuring a series of team formats. Below are the Fall Tour 2008 events, with entry deadlines and links to each tournament’s entry blank:
2-Player Scramble, Big Met GC, Fairview Park
Saturday, September 6
Entry Deadline: Sunday, August 31; Entry blank here
2-Player Scramble / Better Ball, Shawnee Hills GC, Bedford Heights
Saturday, September 20
Entry Deadline: Sunday, September 14; Entry blank here
Barbour Cup 27-Hole Jumble, Sleepy Hollow GC, Brecksville
Saturday, October 11
Entry Deadline: Sunday, October 5; Entry blank here
3-Player Scramble, Manakiki GC, Willoughby Hills
Saturday, October 18
Entry Deadline: Sunday, October 12; Entry blank here
The entry fees for each event are very affordable, and players compete for gift certificates for pro shop merchandise as a part of that entry.
–Allen Freeman
Some Big Golf Events as Summer Winds Down…
by Allen Freeman | August 18, 2008 Comments Off
Some great golf to play this week and weekend:
Greater Cleveland Skins Game: The Greater Cleveland Skins Game moves to Thunder Hill GC in Madison this Thursday, August 21 starting at 5 p.m. That’s important because of The Greater Cleveland Shoot-Out: a limited-field amateur stroke play tournaments with a guaranteed first place prize of $750. The Shoot-Out will be held once again on Labor Day Monday at Fowlers Mill GC (entry blank here). But if you want to play on Labor Day, you must play in at least two events of the Greater Cleveland Skins Game during the season — and you only have a two weeks left to do so!
Chippewa Golf Club Championship: Over 60 players are already registered for this weekend’s big 36-hole individual stroke play championship at Chippewa. There will be a skins game, pari-mutuels, and more. The golf course is in FANTASTIC condition (the greens — phenomenal!), and the staff promises to find “challenging” pin locations that aren’t “scramble crazy.” More details on Chippewa’s web site. Deadline for entry is this Wednesday evening, so call the Chippewa pro shop now at 330-658-6126 to enter.
Thunder Hill Black Tee 2-Man Cash Scramble: Thunder Hill’s previously-scheduled scramble on July 20th was washed out in a heavy rainstorm. So the event has been rescheduled for this coming Sunday. Entry fee is $80/player, with a chance for the team to win $700 based on 25 teams. To enter, call the pro shop at 440-298-3474.
As always, check the NEOHgolf.com Tournament Calendar for all of the upcoming area golf events!
–Allen Freeman
Chippewa Scratch League – Week 14 Results
by Allen Freeman | August 18, 2008 Comments Off
The team of Tom Markham and Randy Skorman posted a 4-under par 32 to claim a victory in the better ball format at the Monday Chippewa Scratch League.
Sam Spino and Dave Oates put their fingers in the pot again with yet another skin, to increase their whopping lead in the 2008 season long points list by over $400 each; totals updated here. Complete results below:
Week 14 – 8/18/08: Best Ball – Back Nine
1st – Markham – Skorman 32 $240.00 GC $200.00 PP
T2nd – Kracker – Thomas 33 $75.00 GC
T2nd – Freeman – Snyder 33 $75.00
Skins
Spino – Oates #10 Eagle $280.00
Klline – Kline #11 Eagle $280.00
Senior Skins
Klline – Kline #11 Eagle $ 70.00
C.Mozingo – Martin #18 $ 70.00
– Allen Freeman
Fred Miller Wins Legacy For Second ’08 CGA Victory
by Allen Freeman | August 17, 2008 Comments Off
Fred Miller of Aurora overcame a double-bogey 7 at the par-5 eighth hole, followed that up with a birdie at the ninth (good for a skin), then posted a 1-under par back nine to win the Championship Golf Association’s stroke play event at the Legacy at Sweetbriar on Sunday. The victory is Miller’s second of the season, as he won the stroke play event at Gleneagles in Twinsburg as well.
Miller shot a 1-over par total of 73 to win by a single shot over Brian Smith of Amherst. Complete results below.
The next event on the CGA schedule is the “Big Skins Blowout” at The Fairways of North Canton on Sunday, September 14th. To enter this skins-only event, visit the CGA website or call 216-556-0219.
FINAL RESULTS, CGA STROKE PLAY EVENT, AUGUST 17, 2008
The Legacy at Sweetbriar, Avon Lake, OH
Miller, Fred 38 – 35 = 73
Smith, Brian 39 – 35 = 74
Angie, Mike 38 – 37 = 75
Brick, Norton 35 – 40 = 75
Sowa, Greg 38 – 37 = 75
Freeman, Al 37 – 39 = 76
Mills, Brandon 37 – 39 = 76
Thompson, Drew 39 – 37 = 76
Okeson, Chris 38 – 39 = 77
Heran, Scott 37 – 41 = 78
Mintz, Mike 37 – 41 = 78
Slife, Bill 46 – 38 = 84
Mooney, Bill 43 – 43 = 86
Jenkins, Jeff 43 – 45 = 88
Sidun, Jim 45 – 43 = 88
Moennich, Sean NC
SKINS:
Brick, Norton (Hole: 2 Score: 3)
Angie, Mike (Hole: 8 Score: 3)
Miller, Fred (Hole: 9 Score: 3)
– Allen Freeman
Greater Cleveland Skins Game: Week 18 Results
by John Niedzialek | August 15, 2008 Comments Off
Everyone has a lucky hole. Mark Foss finds the 12th at Powderhorn Golf Club to his liking: his birdie there held up again for a $149.50 skin.
Geoff Nicely notched the other skin on Thursday with a birdie on the par-3 17th hole, and also took the pin shot there. Nicely takes home $149.50 for his skin plus $45.50 for his pin shot.
Dave Sotka captured the other pin shot on #14 worth $45.50.
Blackburn Jr. still holds on to the season-long lead in the Greater Cleveland Skins Game. He was shut out again this week — after all four of his birdies were tied!
Players have only two more weeks to qualify to play in one of the highest paying tournaments of the year: The Greater Cleveland Shoot-Out. The Shoot-Out, an individual stroke play event, will be held Labor day at Fowlers Mill. This sponsored tournament offers a huge prize! If you want to play on Labor Day and haven’t yet played in two events this season, you only have a two weeks left to do so!
The Skins Game moves to Thunder Hill GC in Madison this Thursday, August 21 starting at 5 p.m. Green Fees will be $15.00 riding! Please thank the course management for these special green fees to our group. 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.
Greater Cleveland Skins Game Leaderboard Through Week 18
1) Steve Blackburn Jr. $1,253.77
2) Mark Foss $1,035.00
3) John Niedzialek $874.50
4) Paul Kish $726.46
5) Geoff Nicely $431.50
6) Nick Anagnost $429.33
7) Mike Angie $385.89
8) Dave Sotka $340.33
9) Steve Blackburn Sr. $340.00
10) George Martin $268.20
11) Brian McGinty $264.50
12) Russ Rybka $201.00
13) Corey Iacofano $168.66
13) Rob Schustrich $168.66
15) Garry Zehe $166.50
16) Jim Lebzelter $151.83
17) Josh Krause $144.83
18) Anthony Maenza $127.00
19) Phil Bojc $103.50
20) Jeff Ettinger $84.00
21) John Zook $77.00
22) Al Freeman $63.00
22) John Distefano $63.00
24) Dan Lanese $45.50
25) Clint Paxson $45.50
26) Tom Bond $45.50
27) Cliff Lawrence $36.00
28) Ron Rositani $33.00
29) Matt White $33.00
– John Niedzialek
Chippewa Scratch League – Week 13 Results
by Allen Freeman | August 11, 2008 Comments Off
The team of Troy Schonover and JP Jones blistered the front nine at Chippewa Golf Club Monday with a sizzling 7-under par 28 in the scramble format to win their first event of the season. The pair began their round with an eagle on the first (skin!) and continued the torrid pace to win by two shots.
Dave Oates and Sam Spino grabbed a share of second place on the night to build on their lead in the season-long points race, updated here.
Dave Petracca holed his second shot on #8 for eagle to grab another of three skins won on the night.
Week 13 Results – 8/11/08: Scramble – Front Nine
1st – Schonover – Jones 28 $200.00 Gift Cert $190.00 Pro Pot
T2nd – Niskanen – Thompson 30 $75.00
T2nd – Oates – Spino 30 $75.00
Skins: $160 ea
Schonover – Jones #1 Eagle
Brooker – Olney #3 Eagle
T. Stiller – Petracca #8 Eagle
Senior Skins: $40 ea
Brooker – Olney #1 Eagle
Niskanen – Thompson #6
T. Stiller – Petracca #8 Eagle
– Allen Freeman
Cavey and Metzendorf Medal at Local U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier
by Allen Freeman | August 11, 2008 Comments Off
Ben Cavey of Wadsworth and Daniel Metzendorf of Strongsville earned their way to the 2008 United States Mid-Amateur Championship by posting the low rounds of the day at the regional qualifier, a one-over par 73 at the challenging Lake Forest CC in Hudson today.
Four players followed with 74: Brian Sparrow of Chagrin Falls; David Brown of Pittsburgh; Eugene O’Byrne of Massillon; and Mark Telerico of Aurora. In a playoff for the remaining two spots, Sparrow and Brown earned their way into the championship field, and O’Byrne and Telerico are alternates.
The 2008 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship will be held at Milwaukee Country Club in River Hills, Wisconsin on September 6 – 11.
Complete results for the Northeast Ohio qualifier field are here.
Kyle Cobb Wins 2008 Cleveland Amateur Golf Championship in Four-Way Playoff
by Allen Freeman | August 10, 2008 Comments Off
For 71 holes, David Griffith of Broadview Heights played the steadiest of every competitor in the 2008 Greater Cleveland Amateur Championship field. But on the 72nd hole, one swing opened the door to three other players, and Kyle Cobb of Strongsville took advantage.
Griffith came to the final hole at Manakiki at 1-under par for the tournament and two shots in the lead after playing solid golf on a chilly, windy and occasionally wet day. But Griffith pulled his tee shot into the trees along the left of the 18th fairway and lost his ball in the ground cover. He had to return to the tee and suffered a double-bogey at the last, finishing the tournament at 1-over par 217.
2008 Sleepy Hollow course champion Nick Latimer from Kent, playing along side Griffith in the final group, launched his tee shot high and to the right into the trees, and it appeared he suffered the same fate as Griffith. But a marshal spotted his ball high up on the hill, and Latimer slashed it out of the scrub, across the cart path and into the fairway, inside 100 yards. From there he hit a great wedge shot to 3 feet and made the putt for an improbable par, to finish at 217 as well.
In the groups ahead, Cobb and two-time Cleveland Am champ Brad Steven of Concord tied for the low round of the day, each shooting 2-under par 70. Both players made the turn at 1-over par 37 for the front nine, but then both started a run.
Steven made birdie at the difficult tenth hole, then made eagle at the par-5 12th. Cobb, a junior-to-be at Cleveland State, birdied both of the back-to-back par fives at 12 and 13, then had the break of the tournament: a birdie at the par-3 15th from a tee shot that flew well into the wooded hillside left of the green, bounced out, and rolled to just a few inches for a tap-in. Both Steven and Cobb shot 3-under par 33 on the final nine, and a 217 total.
As the four-man playoff started, it began to rain and quickly turned into a downpour. All four players hit their tee shots to the 10th fairway in a deluge. Griffith and Steven went left behind a mound that blocks the green, while Latimer and Cobb found the right rough, but with an open shot. Then play was suspended due to lightning.
After an hour delay, the foursome returned to the 10th fairway, where Griffith and Steven laid up to just outside of 100 yards. Latimer hit his second in the right fringe just above the hole, then Cobb hit a solid shot to the center of the green, about 15 feet left of the hole and straight up the hill.
After misses by the other players, Cobb center-cut his birdie putt and made a small fist pump to claim the 2008 Greater Cleveland Amateur Championship.
A special congratulations to Tom Kochensparger and Mike Raby for conducting a great tournament, and to the Manakiki golf course maintenance staff for the incredible conditioning. The greens were the talk of the players, as they were smooth, rolled close to 11 on the stimp and were in “country club condition”.

. . .
2008 GREATER CLEVELAND AMATEUR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
FINAL RESULTS, AUGUST 8 – 10
Manakiki Golf Course, Willoughby Hills, Ohio
6,625 Yards, Par 72
| Pos | Player | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Rd 3 | TOTAL |
| 1 | Cobb, Kyle |
75 | 72 | 70 | 217 |
| 2 | Steven, Brad | 73 | 74 | 70 | 217 |
| 2 | Latimer, Nick | 72 | 72 | 73 | 217 |
| 2 | Griffith, David | 71 | 71 | 75 | 217 |
| 5 | Heestand, Matt | 71 | 73 | 74 | 218 |
| 6 | Blackburn, Steve | 78 | 69 | 72 | 219 |
| 7 | Stefanski, Ryan | 73 | 73 | 74 | 220 |
| 7 | Scott, Jacob | 75 | 70 | 75 | 220 |
| 7 | Glassman, Zach | 70 | 72 | 78 | 220 |
| 10 | Saari, Scott | 71 | 77 | 74 | 222 |
| 11 | Elber, Patrick | 73 | 76 | 74 | 223 |
| 12 | Smith, Brian | 74 | 76 | 74 | 224 |
| 13 | Yacovazzi, Anthony | 76 | 78 | 71 | 225 |
| 13 | Borlin, Mark | 77 | 75 | 73 | 225 |
| 13 | Monas, Kent | 72 | 79 | 74 | 225 |
| 16 | Barber, Doug | 81 | 72 | 73 | 226 |
| 16 | Metzendorf, Dan | 80 | 72 | 74 | 226 |
| 18 | Marino, Matt | 77 | 73 | 77 | 227 |
| 18 | Skirpstas, Peter | 77 | 71 | 79 | 227 |
| 20 | Gould, Brett | 74 | 81 | 73 | 228 |
| 20 | Okeson, Chris | 74 | 77 | 77 | 228 |
| 20 | Jastromb, Kyle | 75 | 75 | 78 | 228 |
| 20 | Latsko, Phil | 74 | 73 | 81 | 228 |
| 24 | Williams, Jonathan | 78 | 77 | 74 | 229 |
| 24 | Alshouse, Tom | 83 | 71 | 75 | 229 |
| 24 | Tournoux, Kevin | 72 | 78 | 79 | 229 |
| 27 | Lanier, Lorenzo | 78 | 76 | 76 | 230 |
| 27 | Higgins, Patrick | 74 | 76 | 80 | 230 |
| 29 | Grasso, Mike | 76 | 78 | 77 | 231 |
| 29 | Tuscano, Frank | 74 | 79 | 78 | 231 |
| 29 | Elber, Jack | 74 | 77 | 80 | 231 |
| 32 | Brinkman, Alex | 79 | 76 | 77 | 232 |
| 32 | Bowser, Michael | 79 | 76 | 77 | 232 |
| 32 | Grincewicz, Dan | 76 | 78 | 78 | 232 |
| 32 | Fritz, Eric | 76 | 78 | 78 | 232 |
| 36 | Foss, Mark | 78 | 77 | 79 | 234 |
| 36 | Madden, Danny | 78 | 75 | 81 | 234 |
| 36 | Semethy, Alan | 75 | 77 | 82 | 234 |
| 39 | Bailey, Andrew | 79 | 74 | 82 | 235 |
| 40 | Veverka, Brandon | 77 | 78 | 81 | 236 |
| 41 | Abercrombie, Scott | 78 | 74 | 85 | 237 |
| 42 | Thompson, Drew | 80 | 74 | NC | NC |
– Allen Freeman




















