Summer series highlights the Valley’s best in golf and events

There are a lot of golf courses in the Mahoning Valley.

That makes for a lot of golf holes.

Which are the best 18?

Surely that topic has filled many hours on the area courses.

The Vindicator, joined by Farmers National Bank, sets out today to highlight the “18 Greatest Golf Holes of the Valley.”

The series debuts today on Page B7 and will be part of every Tuesday Vindicator this summer. What is in print will be complemented by more features on vindy.com, including a chance for you to sound off.

What makes a great golf hole?

“There are some holes on the ‘greatest’ list where people need to think more than they do,” said Jonah Karzmer, president of the Youngstown Golf Association.

“Then there are some classic, old-school holes on [the list] that people don’t realize all the little nuances that make it a great hole.”

Karzmer knows Valley golf pretty well. A standout career at Boardman High School was followed by a collegiate career at Kent State and Youngstown State universities. Now he heads the YGA, and starting today, he’s on vindy.com blogging about each week’s hole.

“You did a great job picking the holes,” Karzmer said. “But I’ll also have some things to say about the omissions.”

The “18 Greatest” feature will be joined in the fall by our inaugural “Greatest Golfer in the Valley” tournament at The Lake Club, Mill Creek Golf Course and Trumbull Country Club. Play is Sept. 11, 12 and 18.

See Page B7 for more details.