Boardman golfer looks to join his teammates in Greatest event

July 5, 2016 at 12:10a.m.

Through four rounds, three golfers from Boardman High’s talented boys team have clinched spots in the Flynn Automotive Group Juniors Greatest Golfer of the Valley championship that will be contested later this month.

The trio is Brian Terlesky, Cade Kreps and Bryan Kordupel, members of the Spartans team that finished seventh at state last fall.

There’s another Spartan — junior Bobby Jonda — who has been close, but is still on the outside looking in.

“I’m proud of all my teammates, but I really wasn’t hoping to be one of the last ones to get a win and qualify,” Jonda said. “I’m proud of them, but we have a little bit of a rivalry going.

“We get along well and root for each other, but we want to beat each other at the same time.”

Jonda is hoping to join his teammates in the 17-U finals on July 22-23 by qualifying in the Greatest Golfer’s fifth round at Salem Hills on Thursday. Play begins at 11 a.m.

“I haven’t really played Salem Hills a whole lot, played there a couple times when I was little,” Jonda said. “But I went and played a practice round a couple weeks ago.”

Out of those who have yet to qualify, Jonda sits atop the points leaderboard with 13. Tthe top six points-finishers advance to the finals.

Jonda shot a season-low 77 at Mill Creek last Wednesday, which followed a 78 at Tam O’Shanter, a 79 at Pine Lakes and an 84 at Squaw Creek.

“I try to go to into every round feeling pretty confident,” said Jonda, who shot an 85 at the state tournament last fall. “It’s just about if I can get it done or not. I always believe in my head I can win one, but it doesn’t always work out that way.

“I haven’t been playing my best golf in the Greatest Golfer,” Jonda said. “I’ve been close a lot, but haven’t been able to break through. So I’m looking to play a bit more consistent, finish strong and hopefully win it.”

Anthony Graziano of Girard High is the other golfer already in the boys 17-U finals.

Behind Jonda in points is Jimmy Graham and Joey Vitali with 12 each and Michael Butch with nine. Ken Keller, R.J. Pozzuto and Jared Wilson all have five points apiece.

The qualifiers for the girls 17-U are Hannah Keffler, Jenna Vivo, Gillian Cerimele and Emily Koehler. Erika Hoover leads in points with 17, Britney Jonda has 13 points and Jenna Jacobson has eight.

Only one more regular-season round awaits after Salem Hills: Trumbull Country Club on July 14.

This is the seventh season for Greatest Golfer, and it has grown from an event serving 90 golfers to now impacting 3,000 golfers, 12 golf courses and 24 charities.