Greatest’s junior field finalized

July 13, 2013 at 12:08a.m.

Neumeister looking for another Greatest crown

BAZETTA

Last summer, she conquered one division of the Greatest Golfer of the Valley presented by Farmers National Bank.

This year, she’s out to topple another.

Kaylee Neumeister, a sophomore at Lakeview High School, earned a spot in the final round of the tournament’s 15-17 year-old division with a round of 80 Friday afternoon at Tamer Win Golf and Country Club.

Neumeister is the reigning champion of the 12-14 year-old group, but moves to the older age group this year.

“It’s awesome,” Neumeister said. “I love it and I’m so glad I get to go back this year.”

Many players were worried the incessant rains would make conditions difficult, but the Tamer Win layout was up to the challenge.

“It was a little bit wet on the back, but the front wasn’t bad at all. I can manage with it.”

A strong start — bolstered by seven straight pars before her first bogey — led to a front-nine 36.

From there, she cautiously navigated the longer and narrow back nine to finish one stroke ahead of 2011 champion and fellow Greatest Golfer final round contender Jacinta Pikunas.

The rains, having totaled approximately four inches in the past week, even allowed for good scoring.

Approach shots found their targets with greater accuracy and the soft greens were receptive.

Neumeister capitalized.

“The greens were kind of slow, so it was better for my putting,” she said. “I could really get hold of them.”

Once on the green, she allowed one of her strengths to shine.

“My short game was definitely working,” Neumeister said. “I only had 27 putts for the day, so that really saved some strokes.”

Having tested Tamer Win numerous times as a member of the Lakeview High School team, the opening holes are like a stroll through her own backyard.

“The front nine is our home course. I like how I can come here and know how to play the course and that helped me a lot today,” Neumeister said.

Boardman High senior Nadya Stratton was five shots behind Neumeister, but good enough to earn her spot in the tournament’s final round.

In her first appearance in the tournament, she went 40-45 to finish one stroke ahead of Neumeister’s high school teammate, Ryan Rosenberger, for the 12th and final spot in the final.

“I’m really excited that I did it today,” Stratton said. “I hit it straight and I putted well and I didn’t let anything get in my way.”

Having faced off with many of the golfers during high school tournaments and mid-week matches, Stratton knew what she was up against.

“There are a lot of good golfers out there,” said Stratton, who will be a vital part of Boardman’s squad this fall. “It’s tough, but as long as I keep my game up, I know I’ll be OK.”

Neumeister and Stratton overcame a strong field. Pikunas, Rachel Williamson, Melinda Hannon and Kerra Loomis will all see each other again in two weeks.

Ursuline’s Sydney Heinbaugh (101) and Lakeview’s Emily Coller (105) earned the final two qualifying scores in the 12-14 division with scores of 101 and 105.

Previous qualifiers Emily Koehler (93), Kaci Carpenter (100) and Gillian Cerimele (102) paced the group.

The top two qualifiers in each age group from each of the six Greatest Golfer junior events will take part in the tournament finals July 28 at Trumbull Country Club in Warren.

Adult competition in the Greatest Golfer of the Valley presented by Farmers National Bank is set for Aug. 23-25.

Visit vindy.com/golf for more tournament coverage.