Porter, Gustas Both Repeat as Champions
Michael Porter was eager to be the first Boys U17 Greatest Golfer junior to win back-to-back titles.
His only problem was Ryan Sam.
Sam, of Boardman High School, led most of Day 2’s play in the ‘Joe’ Dickey Electric Greatest Golfer Championship at Avalon Lakes. He started the day 2 shots back of McDonald’s Porter.
But he had that covered coming into the last hole.
Sam found the trees on his drive and also found the rough on his approach — causing a double bogey and a tie.
But Porter, too, found trouble on the last hole. In the sand from 200 yards, Porter stuck the green with a 5-iron, but with 70 feet up and down to the pin. His lag putt settled five feet from the hole for a par finish — and the win in the Joe Nohra Insurance Boys u17 division.
“Greatest Golfer is one of my favorite tournaments. Lots of guys play in other events around Ohio. But everyone around here always plays Greatest, and it’s great to win this.”
Doubling up on Greatest title wasn’t just Porter’s to do.
In Girls U17, McKenzie Gustas of Hickory earned her second straight Greatest Golfer title. Gustas was a 5-shot leader after Day 1 Friday at Squaw. It’s a lead no one really challenged her on. She felt less pressure with this year’s win.
“Greatest is a tourney series where, if you are getting started in tournament golf, you have to play,” Gustas said. “Your get your first wins here. It teaches you so much.”
In Girls U14, Kate Sowers shot 78 to win the Ambrose Family Eye Care division.
“I played really good. I only missed one green on the front 9 — which I was really glad about,’ she said. Greatest works for her because of the mix of friends and competition.
In the Boys U14 Kreps Drywall division, Mick Ambrose of Canfield finished what he started. He won the first event of the 2021 season, then landed a few more wins, and won Saturday with a 74. He closed the run in great fashion — dropping a 30-foot bender for par on No. 18.
FINAL RESULTS: The Greatest Golfer
2021 Joe Dickey Juniors Championship
Avalon Squaw Creek Country Club, Vienna
Avalon Lakes Golf Club, Warren
Friday, July 23 – Saturday, July 24, 2021
u17 Boys
Michael Porter 74-70-144
Ryan Sam 76-70-146
Blake Hood 76-72-148
Dominic Kapics 76-77-153
Connor Daggett 78-78-156
Caleb Domitrovich 84-76-160
Chaz Ekoniak 81-79-160
Luke Eyster 81-81-162
Zack Ross 79-87-166
Nolan Williard 87-82-169
Nathan Kelly 83-87-170
Rocco Turner 80-90-170
Paul Litrenta 89-85-174
Bryce Van Horn 84-92-176
U17 Girls
McKenzie Gustas 82-79-161
Luciana Masters 91-81-172
Madison Murphy 89-84-173
Jayne Bernard 87-86-173
Alyssa Rapp 94-87-181
Matilyn Zines 98-92-190
Shaylee Muckleroy 93-95-188
Kaitlyn Hoover 88-95-183
Zoey Fick -Mills 103-96-199
Ava Liburdi 91-96-187
Samantha Calderone 112-99-211
Daniella Patrone 110-103-213 F
U14 Girls
Kate Sowers 78
Alyssa Zhang 80
Gracie Westover 88
Lindsey Hoover 90
Gianna Ross 94
Sophia Rivera 100
Miya Cohol 108
Taylor Morrone 118
U14 Boys
Mick Ambrose 74
Dante Turner 78
Matthew Morrone 90
Braeden Sallee 93
Chase Zelesnak 93
CJ Brew 94
Michael Garwacki 98
Carter Fick-Mills 104
