43
Valley Golf Trumbull CC pro happily still on tour
While the golfing world watched 21-year-old phenom Jordan Spieth carve up Augusta National Golf Course in Friday’s second round of the Masters, John Diana was on his way to Quicken Loans Arena for some father-son time to watch another superstar at the top of his sport, LeBron James.
The first-year caddie for Warren native Jason Kokrak felt a while back that there was a chance they could be competing in the year’s first major championship this weekend, but Kokrak is still searching for his first PGA tour win despite a strong start to the season.
“The exciting part was being in the second-to-last group twice,” Diana said. “We got in the hunt and getting close to the lead like that and actually have a chance to win is the most fun you could ever have out there.”
In fact, the head pro at Trumbull Country Club had so much fun through the first ten events he caddied, Diana and Kokrak decided to keep the team together for the remainder of the golf season. What started out as a three-month agreement has turned into a year-long adventure.
“He really wanted me to do it and I’m having a riot doing it,” Diana said. “It’s really a lot fun and a great experience for me and him.
“He’s enjoying it out there and I think he was having a little trouble doing that before, so having a familiar face out there with him has really made it a lot easier for him to do his job and have a little fun doing it.”
Kokrak already has earned his tour card for next year and is currently 41st in the FedEx Cup rankings thanks to two top-10 finishes in March.
With Diana’s decision to remain on tour, Trumbull Country Club had to find someone to run things at the course in his absence.
But in an offseason that brought plenty of changes to golf courses around the Mahoning Valley, they were not alone. Trumbull brought in Mike Shulas, formerly of Salem Golf Club, to help out at the private course in Warren.
Elsewhere, Dennis Miller left Mill Creek Golf Course and found a home at The Lake Club as director of golf. Replacing Miller at Mill Creek is Brian Tolner, a Hubbard High School and Youngstown State University graduate.
The recent advances to Kennsington Golf Club was all Chris Carfangia, also a Hubbard High grad, needed make the jump from Pine Lakes Golf Club to the Canfield course.
In addition to a clubhouse facelift and a large on-site outdoor patio, the opening of a new Courtyard Marriott hotel just steps away from the golf course gives Kennsington the feel of a resort destination.
“People don’t really see [Youngstown] as a resort-type area, but with the golf that we have in our little community, and how accessible we are to most people, I think we’re starting to make a good name for ourselves as a place for golf,” Carfangia said.
“I just can’t wait for this weather to break so we can get this season going.”
With Carfangia settling in at Kennsington, Scott Karabin will take his place at Pine Lakes.
Mohawk Trails, the family-owned public course in New Castle, Pa., closed its operations earlier this year.
The Eichenlaub family left this message on the course’s Facebook page on March 1: “With bittersweet emotions, we said goodbye to Mohawk Trails this weekend, as it has officially been sold and will no longer be operating as a golf course. We send a heartfelt thank you to all the golfers that have supported the golf course over the last 50 years.”
Change can be a good thing. For all the Youngstown-area courses, they hope it brings new golfers to the sport. Participation numbers are declining nationally, and have been in recent years, but local pros continue to believe in the Valley and it’s rich golf history.
“I’m not comfortable with the state of the game, but I think we can withstand the storm,” Carfangia said. “Discretional funds is what we call it and despite reasonable prices, it’s still sometimes hard for some people in our area.”