Mill Creek draws top amateur golfers

The U.S. Amateur Qualifier will be the first major event here since 1978.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mill Creek Golf Course will play host to the U.S. Amateur Qualifying Tournament July 29, featuring the top amateur golfers from Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.
This is the first of many top-notch tournaments that Mill Creek's director of golf, Dennis Miller, and head professional Andy Santor have in mind for the area's only 36-hole layout.
Since Miller and Santor have taken over the golf activities at the course, they, along with Greens Superintendent Kurt Petroff, an 18-year veteran at the course, have made many improvements.
And they aren't finished.
Eligibility
Miller said the U.S. Amateur qualifier will be open to the top 136 amateurs with a USGA handicap of 2.4 or better.
"It will be a 36-hole event and they will play both 18s here in the same day," Miller said. "You don't have to be a member of a country club to enter, but you must have a verified USGA handicap of 2.4 or better."
Miller said he told the Northern Ohio Golf Association last year he was interested in promoting more amateur golf in the state.
This event will be the first major tournament at the layout since the Ohio Open in 1978, which was won by Bobby Lewis of Warren. Lewis will serve as the captain for the U.S. Walker Cup team this year.
"The golf course will play quite a bit different for the amateurs," Miller said.
"We've recently purchased a new rough mower and we will lengthen the roughs to near U.S. Open length.
"We will also narrow some of the fairways and we've purchased 800 tons of new sand for the bunkers. Weather permitting, the greens will be fast and firm."
Mother Nature's influence
Weather is always a big question at Mill Creek.
"When this course gets wet, it stays wet for a long time," Miller said.
"There are just too many trees and the sun never gets to most of the course. If the weather holds up, this course will be in as fine of condition as these guys have ever seen."
Last year, Petroff and his staff finished laying all the asphalt cart paths on the South Course. He also has laid 22,000 square feet of sod and over a mile of drainage throughout the course.
They also have completed all the forward tees on the South Course for seniors and women.
"We're going to start on the North Course as soon as we figure where to put them," Miller said. "The same goes for the cart paths on the North Course.
"We now take tee times all year round and we offer a fully stocked pro shop," he added. "We are just trying to make this place as accessible as possible for all our local golfers."
On the links
Even with his busy schedule, Miller still finds time to play a few rounds. He just returned from competing in the PGA Club Professionals Championship in New Mexico.
"What an experience that was," he said.
"The course was 7,625 yards long, but because of the elevation, it didn't play that long. I led the entire field in driving distance with a 333-yard average and that included a lot of 3-woods."
After two rounds he was tied for 16th place. The top 25 earned a spot in the PGA Championships, but he shot a third-round 77.
He finished the tournament 9-over-par, and 6-under made the top 25.
He played in the U.S. Open qualifier earlier this year and was 3-under with nine holes to play and ended up missing a spot by four shots.
While Miller has been playing, Santor has been minding the store.
"I haven't played golf in 15 days," Santor said.
"I'm looking forward to playing now that Dennis is back."
Miller and Santor also have scheduled an Old Time Golf Outing for Aug. 6 in conjunction with the Ohio Bicentennial.
"We've got Todd Book of Portsmouth coming. He runs Old Hickory Golf Company and he brings old all-wooden clubs and old golf balls and even old time golf costumes for anyone interested in playing," Miller said. "It should be a fun day."
mollica@vindy.com