Gearing up for Greatest: 2016 golf event open for business

Junior qualifier kicks off tourney play on May 15

Staff report

All that is the 2016 Greatest Golfer of the Valley is open for business.

The first Miller Lite Greatest Championship Scramble qualifier of 2016 teed off Friday at Mill Creek Golf Course, with Scott Krichbaum, Ross Smith, James Gentile and Steve Maschak qualifying for the fourth annual championship on Aug. 15.

The first Flynn Auto Group juniors tournament tees off next Sunday at Squaw Creek.

And registration opens Monday for the celebrated Farmers National Bank adult tourney that will play Aug. 19, 20 and 21 at seven golf courses in the Valley.

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.

Original partners Farmers National Bank and The Lake Club are joined by Superior Beverage and Covelli Enterprises — now in their fourth season. The Flynn Auto Group joins the team this year.

Greatest Golfer engages the Valley golf community 12 months a year, as new winners like Bob Chenet of Avalon Lakes learn.

“I have my Greatest trophy on the mantle in the living room. When my grandsons come to visit, they comment about it and then want to see the video of the presentation. It doesn’t get much better than that,” said Chenet, who won the Seniors 10+ division last year.

Repeat winner Jonah Karzmer of The Lake Club, champ of the Men’s Open division, is enjoying his second time around with the Greatest title.

“After winning it a few years ago, I kind of had the, ‘Well, now you have to play well and validate the win.’ Winning Greatest for a second time last year alleviates that feeling somewhat. I feel like I’m putting less pressure on myself though this time,” Karzmer said.

Some 2016 changes:

Salem Hills Golf Course joins the junior mix of courses. Avalon Lakes is a new adult location. Avalon hosted the juniors finals for the last two years.

The Flynn Auto Group juniors championship for our u17 teens will become a two-day, 36-hole match hosted by Avalon Lakes. The younger u14 division will still play an 18-holes finals.

The 2015 Farmers Bank Greatest champs are: Karzmer, Pete Mollica Men’s Open Division; Ariel Witmer, Women’s Open division; Tim Porter, Senior Open; Joan Ash, Ladies 10+; Bob Chenet, Seniors 10+; John Scarsella, Men’s Super Seniors; Ron Polinsky, Men’s 5-8; Stan McCammon, Men’s 9-12; Philip Eubanks, Men’s 13-16; and Mike Case, Men’s 17+.

The 2015 juniors champs are Kaylee Neumeister and Joey Shushok in the u17 divisions, and Cole Christman and Hannah Keffler in the u14 divisions.

The 2015 Miller Lite Scramble winners were Matt Gurska, Blase Cindric, Tim Dye and Tim Morrow.

The 2015 long drive champ was Matt Gurska.

All information regarding Greatest Golfer can be found on vindy.com/golf. Adult tournament fees are at a discounted rate of $115 through June 13. Fees include golf, carts and lunch for two rounds and player gift.