Greatest starts this Tuesday

May 1, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

If you think the off-season has been interesting for the National Football League, wait till you see the second year of the Greatest Golf Holes of the Valley and Greatest Golfer of the Valley ventures launched by Farmers National Bank and The Vindicator. It all starts Tuesday. Quickly, here’s what you should watch for:

Golf Holes: We are again showcasing 18 Greatest Golf Holes of the Valley, and this year, it’s your turn to pick them. Last year, the Vindy picked its favorite 18. For the last month, more than 120 golfers have voted, and the first of their choices appears Tuesday. Here’s a Tuesday hint: It’s the starting point where generations got their start.

Golf tourney: The second year of our 5-county, all-Valley amateur event adds five courses and a junior component. Look for registration forms in today’s Vindy. Greatest champ ready to defend

Defending champ: We have six players who will have the chance to defend their titles from the 2010 event, and the first one has already stepped up. Bob Leonard, Kennsington, went to a four-hole playoff last year before besting Kurt Beler, Diamondback. Both Leonard and Beler are set to go in 2011. Said Leonard: “The Greatest Golfer event was an excellent opportunity to match golfing skills with others in this community at some of our finest courses. “Playing with such a great group in the Seniors Division made it all worthwhile. The feelings you get from tournament competition can only be expressed as awesome. I am already looking forward to this year and am hoping to get my other retirees to sign up. “I am planning to repeat as champ this year.” Petrosky gets last Greatest freebie

Foursome complete: To launch the 2011 Greatest, we offered a free foursome by giving away a spot each of the last four weeks for the Greatest Golfer tourney. Accepting invites have been Jeff Hapsic, Dave Tabak and Jim Johnston. Our last invite goes to Chuck Petrosky, who actually stroked them pretty well last year. Send us your golf pics!

Love golf? Or hanging with your golfing buddies? Then send us a photo of you on the course and we’ll occasionally run some. Send your .jpg files to sports@vindy.com.