WHAT: 56TH NOPGA National Car Rental Assistants Championship
WHERE: Oberlin Golf Club, 200 Pyle Rd., Oberlin; 440-774-3923
WHEN: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
FORMAT: 36 holes stroke play; one day
THE COURSE: 6,691 yards; par-35-37=72
SUPPORTING SPONSORS: Cleveland Golf, Srixon
DEFENDING CHAMPION & NATIONAL QUALIFIERS: Michael Balcar (Brandywine Country Club), 65-68=133 (11-under) at Shady Hollow Country Club, Massillon; Anthony Panepento (Canterbury Golf Club) 70-71=141 (3-under).
More than 45 top assistant professionals and associates in the Northern Ohio Section of the Professional Golfers Association will attempt to add a significant title to their resume on Tuesday during the 56th Assistants Championship at Oberlin Country Club on Tuesday, September 2.
The one-day, 36-hole event takes place on Tuesday (September 2) and the 47 contestants will be playing for four significant prizes:
1. The prestige of winning. It has been won by such Section stalwarts as Charlie Wood (1974), Martin Roesink (1975), Mitch Camp (1988), Gary Trivisonno (1990), Steve Parker (1996), Todd Lancaster (2000, 2004, 2007, 2009), Jaysen Hansen (2010), Jim Troy (2018, 2019) and Randy Dietz (2003).
2. Going national. The top two finishers automatically qualify for the 49th Assistant PGA Professional Championship to be held November 13-16, 2025 at the PGA Golf Club, Wanamaker Course Port St. Lucie, Fla.
3. Tour time. The top six finishers on the NOPGA Associates Points List gain entry into the prestigious Mitchell-Haskell Tour Championship, to be held Sept. 29-30 at The Country Club.
4. Player-of-the-Year Possibility: The Points List will determine the NOPGA Associate of the Year.
Brandywine Country Club’s Michael Balcar, 32, has an opportunity to win his fourth title in the last five years after winning at Shady Hollow in 2024 (65-68=133 (-11), at Mayfield-Sand Ridge in 2022 (69-69=138 (-4) and Weymouth in 2021 (68-73=139 (-5). If so, he will equal the four titles won by Westwood Country Club’s Todd Lancaster (2009, 200 7, 2004, 2001). The four titles are the most in NOPGA history.
A LIST OF PAST ASSISTANTS CHAMPIONS:
2024: Michael Balcar; 2023 Sean McGuire; 2022 Michael Balcar; 2021 Michael Balcar; 2020 Tyler McHugh.
2019 Jim Troy; 2018 Jim Troy; 2017 Nick Latimer-Zabor; 2016 Jaysen Hansen; 2015 Casey Schrader; 2014 Mike Stone; 2013 Mark Evans.
2012 Mike Emery; 2011 Brian Varsey; 2010 Jaysen Hansen; 2009 Todd Lancaster; 2008 Ryan Culbertson; 2007 Todd Lancaster; 2006 Dwayne Randall; 2005 Tim Raleigh; 2004 Todd Lancaster; 2003 Randy Dietz; 2002 John Connelly; 2001 Todd Lancaster; 2000 Larry Manski.
1999 Hugh O’Neil; 1998 Larry Manski; 1997 David Engram; 1996 Steve Parker; 1995 Mark Cero; 1994 David Plumb; 1993 John Lucansky; 1992 Jimmie Brothers; 1991 John D. Lee; 1990 Gary Trivisonno.
1989 Chip Sullivan; 1988 Mitch Camp; 1987 Terry Valentine; 1986 Bill Reilly; 1985 John Jasinski; 1984 David Graf; 1983 Lee Chill; 1982 Tim Starrett; 1981 Gus Mehallis; 1980 Jay Spitale.
1979 Danny Simmons; 1978 Roc Irey; 1977 Ted Ossoff; 1976 Ray Sovik; 1975 Martin Roesink; 1974 Charlie Wood; 1973 Gene Boni; 1972 Ken Corliss; 1971 Eddie Thomas; 1970 Bob Wallace.
2024 REVISITED:
Balcar (65-68=133) erased a two-shot deficit after the first 18 holes and eventually won by three shots over Blake Sattler, who went 67-69=136 (-8). The win avenged a runnerup finish to Pepper Pike Club’s Sean McGuire, who had defeated Balcar (71-65) after both finished regulation play at eight-under 136. Sattler, now an assistant at Brookside Country Club, was not eligible to advance to the national and was replaced by Canterbury’s Anthony Panepento (70-71=141).
THE REPEATERS:
Westwood Country Club’s Todd Lancaster owns the distinction of winning the Assistants Championship a record four times (2001, 2004, 2007, 2009). In addition to Balcar, other multiple winners include Jaysen Hansen (2010, 2016), Jim Troy (2018, 2019) and Larry Manski (1998, 2000).
GETTING THE POINTS:
Here are the current standings on the NOPGA Associate Player of the Year Points List:
PLAYER | POINTS | EVENTS PLAYED
Blake Sattler (Brookside Country Club) 1,103.30 9
Kyle Buzaki (Glenmoor Country Club) 914.81 9
Sean McGuire (Pepper Pike Club) 609.36 8
Michael Balcar (Brandywine Country Club) 516.25 7
Dustin Roth (Eagle Creek Golf Club) 469.66 7
Antonio Bodziony (Chagrin Valley CC 454.95 8
DJ Holub (Pepper Pike Club) 413.55 8
Joe Puch (Fox Meadow CC) 305.83 7
Matthew Nimsuwan (Brookside CC) 288.08 8
