Storms wash out Greatest Golfer junior qualifier

By Kevin Connelly | June 24, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

Next Greatest Golfer event Friday in Hubbard

BOARDMAN

The largest juniors field in Greatest Golfer of the Valley history will have to wait a week thanks to Mother Nature.

Rain affected most of the Mahoning Valley late Tuesday morning, including Mill Creek Golf Course. The site of the third junior qualifier — which was scheduled for today — experienced severe flooding on many parts of the course, forcing the event to be rescheduled.

The new date and time is Wednesday, July 1, with tee times beginning at 9:30 a.m. A record field of 65 juniors were scheduled to play in the year’s third qualifier at the North Course.

“We were excited to host the Greatest Golfer juniors at our course,” said Brian Tolnar, PGA Director of Golf at the Mill Creek MetroParks Golf Courses.

“It’s unfortunate the weather didn’t cooperate with us this time around, but all we can do is hope for better weather next week.”

Tolnar estimated the course received more than six inches of rain over the last week and a half, closing both North and South courses on Tuesday. With such a large field of golfers set to play, it was a concern the course couldn’t hold up.

“The number of kids playing in this event is phenomenal,” Tolnar said. “We’re fortunate to have seven area high schools use us as their home course and I think a lot of the kids wanted the opportunity to qualify at a course they call home.”

There is another Greatest Golfer junior qualifier scheduled before the July 1 makeup date. Pine Lakes Golf Club in Hubbard will hold its makeup event on Friday, beginning at noon. Tee times for that event will be released later this week.

Keep up to date with the latest Greatest Golfer of the Valley news at vindy.com/golf.