The Denny Shute Memorial Match Play Championship, one of the most prestigious events on the Northern Ohio Professional Golfers Association Tour, begins a three-day run at Portage Country Club on Monday.
Competition will be held in three divisions for the 51st playing of this event, the Regular Division, the Senior Division and the Associate Division. The latter two began in 2004.
The finals in the Regular and Associate Division are 36 holes. The Senior finals are 18 holes.
LIVE BRACKETS: 2025 NOPGA Denny Shute Match Play >
SCHEDULE
Monday, Oct. 13: The round of 32 (all divisions), 9 a.m.; Round of 16 (all divisions), 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 14: Round of 8 (all divisions), 9 a.m.; Semifinals (All divisions), 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 15: Finals in all divisions 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
WELCOME BACK
As one of the NOPGA’s major championships the Shute annually attracts many former champions and 2025 is no exception. Two of last year’s winners have entered this year’s event. Host professional Adam Lewicki returns to defend his Regular Division win and Pepper Pike Assistant Professional Sean McGuire is back to defend his Associate Division title. Senior Division winner Tom Atchison is recovering from knee surgery and will not be able to play.
LEWICKI’S ROAD TO THE TITLE
Def. Bill McKinley in Rnd 2, 1-up
Def. Drew Pierson in qtrfinals, 2&1
Def. Anthony Panepento in semi’s, 5&4
Def. Nick Paez in finals, 3&2
McGUIRE’S ROAD TO THE TITLE
Def. Antonio Bodziony in Rnd 2, 2-up
Def. Michael Balcar in semi’s, 2-up
Def. DJ Holub in finals, 37 holes
*Note: Both players received first-round byes.
PLAY IT AGAIN
The list of former champions entered this year includes a cavalcade of Section members and many Hall-of-Famers. Former champions entered this year (Regular Division unless noted):
Adam Lewicki: 2024
Sean McGuire: 2024 (Associate Division)
Anthony Panepento: 2023
DJ Holub: 2022 (Associate Division)
Randy Dietz: 2019, 2020, 2015 & 2013 (Associate Division)
Jordan Paolini: 2019 (Associate Division)
Jim Troy: 2018
Steve Parker: 2017 (Senior Division)
Rob Moss: 2014, 2019, 2021 (Senior Division)
Tom Waitrovich: 2009 (Senior Division)
Jaysen Hansen: 2006 (Associate Division), 2009, 2010
Mitch Camp: 1987, 2001, 2012, 2013, 2015 (Senior Division)
Gary Trivisonno: 1996, 1998, 2004
Tony Adcock: 2003
Jon Jones: 2006, 2007 (Regular Division); 2018, 2022 (Senior Division)
IT’S NOT EASY
The Shute Match Play is probably the hardest event to win on the NOPGA Tour. Three reasons:
1. In most cases it requires five rounds over three days to complete. Can you say commitment?
2. Match play is very intense. Can you say stressful?
3. If every match goes the full 18 holes in the first four rounds and goes the full 36 holes in the finals that adds up to 108 holes. Can you say exhausting?
DENNY SHUTE MATCH PLAY PAST CHAMPIONS
REGULAR DIVISION
1975 – Gene Ferrell, Orchard Hills C.C.
1976 – Bryan Abbott, Fairlawn C.C.
1977 – Martin Roesink, Skyland Pines G.C.
1978 – Martin Roesink, Skyland Pines G.C.
1979 – Bryan Abbott, Thunder Hill C.C.
1980 – James B. Masserio, Canterbury G.C.
1981 – Frank Wharton, Fairlawn C.C.
1982 – Jim Logue, Brookside C.C.
1983 – Craig Immel, Quail Hollow Inn
1984 – Craig Murray, Canterbury G.C.
1985 – Craig Immel, Quail Hollow Inn
1986 – Dan Simmons, Portage C.C.
1987 – Mitch Camp, Fairlawn C.C.
1988 – Mike Bittner, Brookside C.C.
1989 – Gary Robison, Firestone C.C.
1990 – Jay Spitale, Skyland Pines G.C.
1991 – Ron Contini, Jr., Juli-Fe’ View C.C.
1992 – Jimmie Brothers, Portage C.C.
1993 – Bryan Abbott, Spring Hill G.C.
1994 – Mike Bittner, Highlander Golf
1995 – Gary Robison, Firestone C.C.
1996 – Gary Trivisonno, Aurora C.C.
1997 – Eric Morgan, Lakewood C.C.
1998 – Gary Trivisonno, Aurora C.C.
1999 – Larry Manski, Youngstown C.C.
2000 – Dennis Miller, Mill Creek G.C.
2001 – Mitch Camp, Walden G. T. C.
2002 – Tom Atchison, Silver Lake C.C.
2003 – Tony Adcock, Lakeview G.C.
2004 – Gary Trivisonno, Aurora C.C.
2005 – Gary Robison, Firestone C.C.
2006 – Jon Jones, Youngstown C.C.
2007 – Jon Jones, Youngstown C.C.
2008 – Todd Lancaster, Westwood C.C.
2009 – Jaysen Hansen, Inverness Club
2010 – Jaysen Hansen, Inverness Club
2011 – Mitch Flemming, Golf Tec
2012 – Dennis Miller, Mill Creek G.C.
2013 – Mark Evans, Beechmont C.C.
2014 – Rob Moss, Pepper Pike Club
2015 – Casey Schrader, Pepper Pike Club
2016 – Mark Evans, Mayfield C.C.
2017 – Mark Evans, Mayfield C.C.
2018 – Jim Troy, Mt. Vernon C.C.
2019 – Randy Dietz, Windmill Golf Center
2020 – Randy Dietz, Windmill Golf Center
2021 – Drew Pierson, Shaker Heights CC
2022 – Mark Scott Jr., Brookside CC
2023 – Anthony Panepento, Canterbury G.C.
2024 – Adam Lewicki, Portage Country C.C.
SENIOR DIVISION
2004 – Tom Herzan
2005 – Tom Herzan
2006 – Jay Spitale
2007 – Gary Robison
2008 – Jay Spitale
2009 – Tom Waitrovich
2010 – Tom Atchison
2011 – Tom Atchison
2012 – Mitch Camp
2013 – Mitch Camp
2014 – Gary Robison
2015 – Mitch Camp
2016 – Tom Atchison
2017 – Steve Parker
2018 – Jon Jones
2019 – Rob Moss
2020 – Gary Robison
2021 – Rob Moss
2022 – Jon Jones
2023 – Tom Atchison
2024 – Tom Atchison
ASSOCIATE DIVISION
2004 – Larry Manski
2005 – David Kass
2006 – Jaysen Hansen
2007 – Paul Wackerly
2008 – Mike Rutgers
2009 – Mark Bixler
2010 – Mark Evans
2011 – Mike Emery
2012 – Mark Evans
2013 – Randy Dietz
2014 – Glenn Cunningham
2015 – Randy Dietz
2016 – Mike Stone
2017 – Nick Latimer-Zabor
2018 – Sam Wilding
2019 – Jordan Paolini
2020 – John Powers
2021 – Mark Scott Jr.
2022 – DJ Holub
2023 – Associate Division not held
2024 – Sean McGuire
ABOUT DENNY SHUTE
This prestigious event is held in honor of native Clevelander and former Portage Country Club Head Professional Herman Densmore (Denny) Shute, who was a match-play wonder. He won three major championships – the 1933 Open Championship and the PGA Championship in 1936 and 1937. All were contested as match play events. The Open switched to stroke play in 1957, and the PGA followed in 1958. Shute, who won 17 times as a pro, attended Western Reserve University and was the Portage Head Professional from 1945 to 1972. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2008 and the NOPGA Hall of Fame in 1987. He was only 69-years-old when he died in 1974.
ROLEX PLAYERS OF THE YEAR RACE
Two of the races for the Rolex Player of the Year Award are still up for grabs and the Shute event could play a huge role in determining the outcome. Jim Troy leads the Regular Division with 1,111.21 points. Jaysen Hansen is right behind at 1,106.31. Both are playing in the Shute. In the Associate Division, Blake Sattler leads with 1,448.30 points to 1,371.25 for Michael Balcar. Sattler has chosen not to play. Mike Stone leads the Senior race with 528.00 points.
LOOKING AHEAD
While the Tour season is winding down the next major event on the Section season is the third Junior Ohio Cup, which will be played at Brookside Country Club, October 18-19. Similar to the Ohio Cup, the Junior Cup is a Ryder Cup like event between junior players from the NOPGA against the juniors from the Southern Ohio PGA Section. The NOPGA has won the first two events.
