6 from Valley to compete at junior golf event

— Optimist international —

Staff report

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.

Six Mahoning Valley juniors are among 600 of golf’s top young players who will compete in the Optimist International junior golf championships at PGA National Resort & Spa.

Youngstown’s Michael Collins, (boys 16-18-year-old division), North Lima’s Brandon Pluchinsky (boys 16-18), Columbiana’s Jared Wilson (boys 12-13), Youngstown’s Jacinta Pikunas (girls 13-14), Youngstown’s Jenna Vivo (10-12) and Hubbard’s Skyla Ladig (girls 10-12) will represent the area at the tournament, which features golfers from 42 states and 31 nations.

Boys in the 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15 divisions and girls in the 10-12 and 13-14 divisions will play today through Monday. The boys 16-18 and girls 15-18 divisions will have their turn July 26-29.

Former champions and top finishers of the Optimist International include PGA Tour members Jonathan Byrd, Jason Day, Bill Haas, and Jeff Overton in addition to LPGA members Stacy Lewis, Brittany Lincicome and Lexi Thompson. A number of other well-known professional golfers have participated in Optimist-sponsored championships, including Ernie Els, Nancy Lopez, Davis Love III, Michelle McGann, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.

The Optimist will return to PGA National for the 17th consecutive year. Three of PGA National’s championship layouts will be used for the event – the Champion, Palmer and Squire courses. PGA National is home to the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic and has been host to the PGA Seniors Championship, the 1987 PGA Championship and the 1983 Ryder Cup.

For results, visit www.optimist.org/golf.