Saturday, June 20, 2015
HERMITAGE, PA.
After heavy rainfall leading up to Friday’s Greatest Golfer of the Valley junior qualifier, Joey Vitali decided to play by a simple motto: “accuracy over distance.”
Without taking his driver out of the bag once, something most professional golfers can’t get themselves to do, Vitali shot a 5-over par 77 to win the boys 14-and-under division at Tam O’Shanter Golf Course in Hermitage, Pa.
“I didn’t even touch my driver,” Vitali said. “I used my 3-wood on every par 4 and 5 and the results were a lot better.”
Vitali, who will be a freshman at Howland High School in the fall, stands 6-feet tall and generates plenty of power without the use of his driver. However, that didn’t make it any easier to stick to the plan once his round began.
“It was very difficult, considering it’s one of my favorite clubs,” he said. “I hit it a good distance, but my dad and I talked about it and thought it was right for the day.
“We knew the course was playing a little shorter and my 3-wood only takes about 50 yards of distance off my driver, so we knew it was the right play.”
The win qualified Vitali for the Greatest Juniors final at Avalon Lakes Golf Club on July 26. He joins Connor Stevens of Brookfield as an automatic qualifier in the youngest boys division.
“I’ve been playing in the low 80s this year, so this was nice,” Vitali said of his 77. “I double-bogeyed the last two par 5s I played today, so I could’ve been a lot lower.
“But you could always be lower, so I’ll take a 77 any day.”
Joey Shushok and Jacob Wilson were playing partners in the boys 17-and-under division on Friday. The twosome combined to shoot 149 in what was the best — and quickest — rounds of the day.
Wilson shot 2-over 74 and Shushok shot 3-over 75. But since Wilson already qualified for the Greatest Juniors final by winning at Squaw Creek Country Club last month, Shushok earned a spot in the championship round.
“I feel like I’m finally starting to feel comfortable out there,” Shushok said. “I’m confident in my swings and I know I have the game to win.”
Shushok, a senior at Austintown Fitch High School, said he enjoys watching Matt Kuchar of the PGA Tour play because of his smooth swing and laid-back demeanor on the course — something he tries to emulate. He also said the pace of the round and the high-level play from his partner contributed to his low score.
“It’s easy playing with a guy that good,” Shushok said of Wilson. “Plus, I think it pushes me a little bit to want to play just as well.”
Anthony Graziano of Girard was one stroke back with a 76 and Bobby Jonda of Boardman shot a 77.
In the girls 14-and-under division, Jenna Jacobson posted the low score with assistance from some new clubs.
“I got some new Callaways, which was nice,” Jacobson said. “But I’ve also been practicing with my team and they’ve helped me out a lot.”
Jacobson, who shot a 92, will be a freshman at Poland High School in the fall. The advice she’s been getting from her future teammates has already paid dividends. She’ll even get an occasional pointer from her older brother, Zach, who plays in the oldest boys division.
“He helps me a lot,” Jacobson said. “We try to play at least once a week.”
Nicole Gula of Howland qualified in the girls 17-and-under division with a score of 89.
The next Greatest Juniors qualifier is on Wednesday at Mill Creek Park Golf Course.