Why John Hazy is in Greatest

May 8, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

John Hazy of Cornersburg is among the many of last year’s 100 Greatest Golfers to already sign back up for the 2011 tournament. Here’s what the Greatest means to him:

“The host courses roll out their respective red carpets. With Youngstown CC and Reserve Run joining in, it’ll only offer more delight.

From extra-smooth/quick greens, to spectators being permitted throughout the holes, “The Greatest” sets itself up like a pro event. Prepping for the tourney permits players to believe that the best is within their reach.

Overall, I look forward to “The Greatest” because it highlights what the game of golf is all about — a challenge in a natural setting that blends both an escape and a different trek each time you play, each shot you undertake. Indeed, “The Greatest” amps up this challenge by serving up a pressure-packed three-day extravaganza to enjoy.”

Name-dropping

Registration opened this week for the 2011 Greatest Golfer of the Valley tourney put on by Farmers National Bank and The Vindicator.

We’re almost at the 50-player mark in the first four days, and players already want to know who signed up. We’ll get the list online soon. Until then:

Scratch

Joe Strawinski, Mill Creek

Jason Murdock, East Palestine

Christopher Economus, Mill Creek

Brian Stauffer, East Palestine

Chris Eddinger, Salem Hills

Single-digits

Rob Donahue, Mill Creek

Rob Moore, Avalon South

David Cooper, Yankee Run

Tim Schwier, Firestone Farms

John Hazy, Mill Creek

Josh Foster, East Palestine

Greatest Hole No. 2

A beastly par 5 opens this classic Valley course, and it’s our second hole of the 2011 Greatest 18. A creek and an elevated green greet the golfer at the end of the 500-plus yarder. Tune in Tuesday

Vote for your Greatest hole

There are a few weeks left to vote for your favorite golf holes of the Valley. We are saluting the 18 Greatest Golf Holes of the Valley — reader’s choice this year.

Scholarships for junior golfers

If you’re eager to join the Greatest Junior Golfer of the Valley tourney and eyeing a share in the $5,000 in scholarships, applications will be online shortly.

PowerBilt golf equipment and Golf Headquarters are teaming up for this event, which will feature qualifiers at Tamer Win, Tam O’Shanter and Diamondback in July and the championship round July 31 at Trumbull Country Club.