Greatest kicks off with scramble events

Staff report

It’s not often that golfers would rather score three than one.

The fifth annual Greatest Golfer of the Valley opens next weekend and provides that exception.

Three scramble qualifiers tee off Saturday: Rolfe Golf Scramble for Relay for Life at Tamer Win, Take Swing for Autism at Pleasant View, and Hubbard Touchdown Club at Pine Lakes.

They will award the first three teams entrance into the 2014 Greatest Scramble Championship sponsored by Third Shift beer.

It’s part of launch week for the 2014 Greatest.

Greatest Golfer is a competitive golf event that began in 2010 and now includes competition for adults, junior and scramble teams. It’s played all summer at 14 courses and benefits 25 charities. Last year, it engaged 3,500 golfers in five counties. Created by The Vindicator, its partners include Farmers National Bank, Covelli Enterprises and Superior Beverage.

Don’t miss an opportunity to compete against the best golfers the Valley has to offer.

Registration opens Monday at vindy.com/golf for juniors and adults.

The 2014 scramble list is also posted.

All information, rules, and online registration can be found at vindy.com/golf.

In 2013, Greatest champs in the adult division included: John Hazy, Jonah Karzmer, Sean Tisone, Patty Brant, Toni Notaro, Joe Castor, Robert Leonard and Dominic Vechiarelli.

The junior winners were Christina Cooper, Ken Keller, Billy Colbert and Jenna Vivo.

In the scramble event, Mark Ferrara, John Doughton Jr., John Doughton III and Greg Powell took first place in gross score and Toni Notaro, Tom Korner, Larry McCall and Jill Harmon won the net division.

Warren native and PGA Tour Pro Jason Kokrak returns home for the Aug. 18 scramble championship at The Lake Club and will tentatively be joined by Robert Garrigus and Spencer Levin..

New this year for Greatest includes:

A Greatest Driver of the Valley competition with more than 50 drivers competing for the title of Greatest (longest) Driver of the Valley.

The juniors division has been revamped with a points system advancing golfers to the July championship that will be at Avalon Lakes.

All questions on Greatest Golfer should be directed to vindygreatest@vindy.com.