Par For The Course | Kent State's Jordan Gilkison first amateur to win Ohio Open in 44 years
The first amateur to win the 101st Ohio Open in 44 years is a sophomore on the Kent State University men’s golf team.
Jordan Gilkison stunned the 62-player field that made the cut, firing a 5-under par 65 at Westfield Country Club on the third and final day.
Gilkison scored rounds of 72-63-65 to finish 10 under 200 and edge Wright State senior Mikkel Mathiesen by one stroke.
The last time an amateur won the prestigious Ohio Open was Bobby Lewis in 1978 when the event was held at Mill Creek in Boardman. Only five other amateurs, including Jack Nicklaus in 1956, have won the state championship.
Gilkison’s older brother, Josh, a Kent State alum and a former member of the men’s golf team, tied for fourth place with a score of 7-under 203.
Jordan Gilkison is a native of Springboro and is a former OHSAA Division I state champion and the reigning Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year.
More: Kent State completes rally, claims sixth straight title at MAC Championships
Jake McBride of Hartville, who was the defending champion, finished fourth with a three-day total of 203. Also making the cut were Nathan Tarter (209) of Mogadore 209, 19th; D.J. Holub (211) of Twinsburg, 27th; Jack Vojtko (219) of Stow, 59th, and Tyler McHugh (221) of Aurora, 61st.
Olde Dutch Mill Junior Tournament
Boys and girls in eight age divisions compete for trophies and prizes and are entered into a $500 scholarship drawing at the Olde Dutch Mill Junior Golf Tournament scheduled for July 8.
Registration is $40 for ages 13 to 18 and $25 for ages 8 to 12. Registration fee includes greens fee, range balls, lunch and beverage.
Age divisions include 8-10, 11-12, 13-15 and 16-18.
To register call 330-654-4100 or email oldedutchmill@yahoo.com.
Portage County Amateurs
Deadlines are approaching to compete in the series of Portage County Amateurs this summer. Tournaments are ready to start with the Kids Amateur, the Junior Amateur and the Amateur competing in July.
The 8th Kids Am kicks off the series, scheduled for July 24 at Sunny Hill Golf Course in Brimfield.
The 15th Matt Mishler Junior Amateur follows on July 28-29 at Sunny Hill and Windmill Lakes with the 92nd Amateur traveling to both Windmill Lakes and Raccoon Hill to end the month on July 30 and 31.
Questions may be directed to golffam2@gmail.com or 330-206-9083. Registration is available online at PCAGolf.net or by registering for any of the events at all three golf courses via check or cash. Mail-in registration is available with information on the website.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Amateurs this season.
How to report news
To be added to the golf calendar, provide league results or share great golf shots and holes-in-one, email golffam2@gmail.com or call 330-206-9083.
AREA GOLF CALENDAR
RECORD-COURIER PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEURS
Register at host courses, via mail or online at PCAgolf.net
July 24: 8th PORTAGE COUNTY KIDS AMATEUR, Sunny Hill Golf Course, Brimfield. (Preschool-9th grade from $15 to $20).
July 28-29: 15th MATT MISHLER PORTAGE COUNTY JUNIOR AMATEUR, Windmill Lakes, Ravenna and Sunny Hill Golf, Brimfield. (Ages 12 and under/$45, Ages 13 to 19 $60.
July 30-31: 92nd PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEUR, Windmill Lakes, Ravenna and Raccoon Hill, Kent. (County, Open and Women’s Divisions – 18-Holes, $85/person).
Aug. 27-28: 52nd PORTAGE COUNTY SENIOR AMATEUR, Windmill Lakes, Ravenna and Raccoon Hill, Kent. (Ages 50 and older, four divisions, $85/person).
Info: Email PortageCountyAm@gmail.com, text 330-206-9083)
OTHER AREA EVENTS
July 15: Olive Tree Family Foundation 2nd Annual Golf Invitational, Raintree Golf and Event Center, Uniontown. (Four-person scramble, $100 per person, olivetreegolf.com, olivetree@olivetreefamily foundation.org)
July 16: Kent Roosevelt Football Golf Outing, Fairways at Twin Lakes, Kent. (11:30 registration, noon shotgun start, four person scramble, $90 per person, $360 per foursome.)
July 22: Big Brothers/Big Sisters Golf Outing, Sugar Bush Golf Course, Garrettsville. (Four-person scramble, 18-holes, 95 per person. Call 330-805-0266.)
July 31: 4th Annual Adaptive Sports Ohio Golf Tournament, Olde Dutch Mill, Lake Milton.
Aug. 7: Nancy Cannon Memorial Golf Scramble, Paradise Lake, Suffield. (Four-person scramble, $100 per golfer, 7:30 a.m. registration-breakfast, 8 a.m. shotgun start. Info at nancycannonmemorial@gmail.com, 330-671-0064.)
Aug. 19: 36th Hattie Larlham Golf Classic, Sugar Bush Golf Club, Garrettsville. (Four-person scramble, 18-Holes. Morning/afternoon flights.)
JUNIOR GOLF CALENDAR
Wednesday-Friday: Good Park Junior Tournament, Good Park Golf Course, Akron. ($65, www.goodparkgolf.com, 330-375-2092.)
Friday: Olde Dutch Mill Junior Golf Tournament, Olde Dutch Mill, Lake Milton. $40 ages 13-18, $25 ages 8-12. (oldedutchmill@yahoo.com, 330-654-4100)
Friday: 18-Hole NOPGA Junior Series, and 9-Hole Futures Fox Den, Stow. (www.thenorthernohiopga.com.)
Saturday: Drive, Chip and Putt Local Qualifying, Windmill Golf Center, Macedonia. (www.thenorthernohiopga.com.)
July 12: Drive, Chip and Putt Local Qualifying, Lake Forest, Hudson. (www.thenorthernohiopga.com.)
July 13-14: 18-Hole NOPGA Junior Series, Windmill Lakes, Ravenna. (www.thenorthernohiopga.com.)
July 15: Greatest Golfer Junior In the Valley Junior Series, Olde Dutch Mill, Lake Milton. (330-654-4100.)
July 22: 9-Hole Futures Tour Championship, Mud Run, Akron. (www.thenorthernohiopga.com.)
July 25: Ohio Girls Golf Foundation Showcase, Avon Oaks Country Club, Avon. ($60/18-holes. lynne@oggf.org, 440-479-9579.
July 26-27: NOPGA Junior Tour Championship, Club Walden, Aurora. (www.thenorthernohiopga.com.)
Aug. 8: NOPGA Collegiate Preview, Alliance Country Club, Alliance. (www.thenorthernohiopga.com.)
USGA LOCAL QUALIFYING
Tuesday: U.S. Women’s Amateur Qualifying, Lake Forest Country Club, Hudson. (Entry deadline has passed)
Thursday: U.S. Amateur Qualifying, Weymouth Country Club, Medina. (Entry deadline has passed)
July 28: U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying, Sand Ridge Golf Club, Chardon. (Entry deadline July 6)
Aug. 11: U.S. Mid Amateur Qualifying, Avon Oaks Country Club, Avon. (Entry deadline July 6)
Aug. 25: U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Qualifying, Portage Country Club, Akron. (Entry deadline July 27)
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Portage County and area amateur golf news and notes for July 3
