The Northern Ohio Section of the Professional Golfers Association of America will hold its final stroke-play event of the season on Monday and Tuesday (September 25-26) with the Mitchell-Haskell Tour Championship at The Country Club in Pepper Pike.
The event returns to Country after a one-year absence. It is named after Joe Mitchell and Coburn Haskell. Mitchell was the long-time professional at Country and Haskell, a long-time Country member, is acknowledged as the inventor of the modern golf ball. He obtained a patent on April 11, 1899.
WHAT: 22nd annual Mitchell-Haskell Tour Championship
WHEN: September 25-26
WHERE: The Country Club, 2825 Lander Rd., Pepper Pike
WHO: Those eligible include any NOPGA member that has won a Section event this season, former Mitchell-Haskell winners, former Shute Match-Play champions and the top 30 players on the current NOPGA Rolex Points List, the top 15 players on the current Rolex Senior Points List and the top six on the Rolex Associate Points List.
FORMAT: 36 holes, no cut. Regular & Senior Divisions.
A REVIEW OF 2022:
The tournament was held at Brookside Country Club due to course renovations at the Country Club. Randy Dietz, PGA Teaching & Coaching Professional at Windmill Golf Center, won the Regular Division by defeating Portage Country Club head professional Adam Lewicki on the third hole of a playoff after both had tied at identical 68-71-139 (3-under) in regulation. Beechmont Country Club head professional Jaysen Hansen and Brandywine Country Club assistant Michael Balcar tied for third at 140. PGA Life Member Tom Atchison won the Senior Division for the fifth time with a score of 8-under 66-68-134. Scott Pollack (1899 Golf, Cleveland East) was second at 70-70-140.
TOP WINNERS OF MITCHELL-HASKELL TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Championship Division: Jim Troy 3 (2018, 2020, 2021); Randy Dietz 2 (2019, 2022); Rob Moss 2 (2012, 2017); Jaysen Hansen 2 (2014, 2016 w/Mitch Flemming).
Senior Division: Gary Robison 7 (2018, 2016, 2012, 2010 w/Tom Waitrovich, 2008, 2007, 2006 w/Dan Priest & Gary Baker); Tom Atchison 5 (2022, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011); Jim Logue 2 (2005, 2009).
FORE! Troy going for four:
Jim Troy, teaching & coaching professional at The Golf Dome and a four-time winner of the NOPGA Player-of-the-Year award, has an opportunity to add a third consecutive and fourth overall Mitchell-Haskell Tour Championship title to his resume. Troy, a Strongsville resident, previously won in 2021, 2020 and 2018. No one else has won more than two.
RANDY WAS DANDY:
Windmill Golf Center teaching & coaching pro Randy Dietz is one of three players to win two Tour Championship titles. Dietz interrupted Jim Troy’s winning streak of two titles (2020-2021) by winning in 2022. Either Dietz or Troy have won the last five tournaments.
THE PAST WINNERS
Championship Division: 2022: Randy Dietz; 2021: Jim Troy; 2020: Jim Troy; 2019: Randy Dietz; 2018: Jim Troy; 2017: Rob Moss; 2016: Casey Shrader; 2015: Andrew Shiflet; 2014: Jaysen Hansen; 2013: David Champagne; 2012: Rob Moss; 2011: Tony Adcock; 2010: Jason Reddington; 2009: Steve Mulcahy; 2008: Todd Lancaster; 2007: Ben Farina; 2006: Jaysen Hansen/Mitch Flemming; 2005: Michael Ferry; 2004: Steve Mulcahy; 2003: Mitch Camp; 2002: Eric Morgan.
Senior Division: 2022: Tom Atchison; 2021: Steve Parker; 2020: Gary Rusnak; 2019: Gary Robison; 2018: Gary Robison; 2017: Craig Goldsberry; 2016: Gary Robison; 2015: Tom Atchison; 2014: Tom Atchison; 2013: Tom Atchison; 2012: Gary Robison; 2011: Tom Atchison; 2010: Tom Waitrovich/Gary Robison; 2009: Jim Logue; 2008: Gary Robison; 2007: Gary Robison; 2006: Gary Robison/Dan Priest/Gary Baker; 2005: Jim Logue; 2004: Tom Herzan; 2003: Bob Barto.
NOPGA ROLEX PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS STANDINGS:
The outcome of the NOPGA’s final two events of the year – the Mitchell-Haskell Tour Championship and the Denny Shute Match Play Championship (October 9-10-11, Portage Country Club) –could have a major bearing on the three respective Player-of-the-Year Awards. Here are the respective leaders:
Championship Division: 1. Jim Troy (Golf Dome) 1230.75; 2. Jaysen Hansen (Beechmont) 955.50; 3. Rob Moss (Pepper Pike) 909.00; 4. Randy Dietz (Windmill Golf Center) 895.83; 5. Jason Carbone (Canterbury) 704.50; 6. Cory Kumpf (Brookside) 612.30; 7. Nick Gustin (Erie Shores) 594.51; 8. Adam Lewicki (Portage) 583.85; 9. Mark Sierak (Optimist Golf) 568.30; 10. Nick Paez (GolfTEC) 524.22.
Senior Division: 1. Rob Moss (Pepper Pike) 519.50; 2. Steve Parker (PGA Life Member) 421.25; 3. Mike Stone (Belmont) 395.00; 4. Tom Atchison (PGA Life Member) 386.00; 5. Gary Rusnak (1899 Golf) 369.00; 6. Gary Trivisonno (PGA Life Member) 323.92; 7. Mitch Camp (Walden) 284.00; 8. Tony Adcock (1899 Golf) 270.20; 9. Jon Jones (Youngstown) 268.25; 10. Tom Waitrovich (PGA Life Member) 238.50.
Associate Division: 1. Michael Balcar (Brandywine) 1,310.56; 2. Sean McGuire (Pepper Pike) 1,151.80; 3. Blake Sattler (Willie’s Custom Golf) 1,024.21; 4. Ryan Yip (Kent State) 836.62; 5. DJ Holub (Pepper Pike) 833.00; 6. Austin Graham (Pepper Pike) 663.95.
