GGOV Juniors field of 39 set to compete for titles

July 21, 2017 at 12:10a.m.

Round 1 of 17U division today at Squaw Creek

After two and a half months of qualifiers, it’s time to to crown a winner.

Thirty-nine golfers across four divisions will vie for The Vindicator’s 2017 Juniors Greatest Golfer of the Valley title starting today.

The 17U boys and girls have 36 holes of golf to play.

The first 18 will come today at Squaw Creek. The second round is Saturday at Avalon Lakes.

The 14U boys and girls will play 18 holes at Avalon Lakes on Saturday. There are 12 qualifiers in both 17U competitions and the 14U boys finals. There are six competitors for the girls 17U competition.

Among the 17U boys, Boardman High’s Bryan Kordupel is the reigning winner at Squaw Creek. He shot a 77 to secure his finals bid in the lone qualifier he played in.

His teammate, Cole Christman, shot a 72 to win at Tam O’Shanter. He tied fellow finals qualifier Joey Vitali (Howland) for the lowest score of any qualifier.

On the girls side of 17U play, New Castle’s Erika Hoover won the Sqauw Creek qualifier in May with a score of 86. Boardman’s Jenna Vivo and Canfield’s Hannah Keffler tied for the lowest scores among their age group at 75.

Robert Shelton holds the 14U Sqauw Creek bid by shooting an 84. Kaiden Sykes has the lowest 18-hole score of 76 at Salem Hills.

The six qualifiers for the 14U girls are Leah Benson, Jayne Bernard, McKenzie Gustas, Kyra Woods, Gabriella Foreman and Madeline Gumino.

First tees at Squaw Creek are at 2 p.m. Avalon Lakes play starts at 12:30 p.m.