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TIES THAT BIND
Gallery
By Greg Gulas
POLAND
The 7th annual Greatest Golfer of the Valley got under way Monday at The Lake Club with 26 teams competing in the Miller Lite Greatest Scramble Championship.
The team of Gregg Strollo, Dick Marlowe, Bryan Horne and Brandon Pluchinsky captured top honors by shooting 53, while Nick Braydich, Brian Velasquez, Brendan Glosser and Nolan Snyder were three shots off the pace and finished runners-up.
“We were very fortunate this year in that we got a bunch of friends together and were the benefactors of everyone’s schedule just meshing at the right time,” Strollo said. “We were literally on the phone with everyone up until 24 hours prior to the event just to make sure that everyone was set.”
Strollo and Marlowe are lifelong friends who have golfed together for more than 50 years.
“I caddied for Dick’s father, Richard, at Tippecanoe Country Club and together we’ve played many rounds over the years,” Strollo said. “We grew up watching guys like Rick Jones and guys like that helped build a culture of quality and expectations.
“The Mahoning Valley has such a rich golf history, this week only showcases those great players and the overall quality of play.”
Strrollo said that consistency was the key.
“We were never in trouble and our longest birdie putt was about 20 feet,” he said.
Horne noted that expectations were high for his team.
“I’ve played in every Greatest Golfer of the Valley individual and scramble event and after finishing as runners-up last year, it’s just a great feeling to bounce back and win it all,” Horne said. “As a team, we expected to compete at a high level and did just that.
“We’re all very thankful for this opportunity and hope that it is around for a long time. It’s an absolutely great week for everyone.”
Marlowe called Pluchinsky an excellent addition to their team.
“Brandon brought with him a youthful confidence that rubbed off on all of us,” Marlowe said. “There wasn’t a negative word said in our group.”
Marlowe was also quick to heap praise upon those for staging such a competitive event.
“[Editor] Todd [Franko], The Vindicator, Ed Muransky, president of the Lake Club and all of the courses that we will use this week are to be commended for having the vision to make things happen and come together in a first-class manner,” Marlowe said. “We show up, play and take everything for granted while the major sponsors and those behind the scenes work hard to ensure a successful week.”
Pluchinsky is a YSU standout and this year’s Ohio Public Links champion. He also finished second at this year’s Ohio Amateurs.
The Penguins golfer was not supposed to be available Monday. He was the first alternate out for the U.S. Amateur Championship that also teed off Monday.
Pluchinsky will continue his Greatest play this week when the adult individual tourney tees off Friday at Mill Creek.
“It was a blast playing with a group that makes all of their putts. They made it easy and fun,” he said. “Now that we won, the goal is to win it all again next year.”
Placing third with a 58 was the team of Monte Morris, Rick Norman, Pat Watt and Scott Norman
Events continue Thursday at Tippecanoe Country Club with the “Greatest Long Drive Championship.” Free and open to the public, the event begins at 6 p.m.
Jill Harmon, former YSU softball standout and Diane McCall, Canfield High School girls golf coach, enjoyed taking part in the scramble.
“I bring a team every year with the main goal of having fun,” Harmon said. “It’s the camaraderie and competition, and Diane and I are as competitive as anyone in the field.”
McCall will be entering her 20th year this fall as Cardinals head golf mentor.
“I do this because it helps me with my coaching,” she said. “I feel the nerves and pressure and can then relate to my team much better after a competition of this type.”
Joe McHenry, in his 33rd year with Superior Beverage Group/Miller Lite, serves as the sponsors’ executive vice president.
“This is a great sponsorship for us. All of the golf clubs in the Greatest Golfer of the Valley promote our Miller Lite product and we’re happy to be part of such a special week,” McHenry said. “We participate in the scrambles all year and the Lake Club is a great place to host this championship. Ed [Muransky] does everything in a first-class manner and we appreciate his willingness, and that of his staff, to serve as scramble host.”