A record-setting score at this year’s Showcase
In a thrilling preview of girls’ golf in Ohio, two standout athletes, Olivia Baker of St. Clairsville and Gracyn Vidovic of Aurora, tied for first place with a record-setting score of 66 at the annual Ohio Girls Golf Foundation Showcase on July 21 at Avon Oaks Country Club.
A senior at St. Clairsville High School, Baker carded eight birdies on the day. Vidovic, who graduated from Aurora High School and will be playing golf for Ashland University this fall, had five birdies and one eagle to tie with an impressive 6-under par.
The top team for the second year in a row was Magnificat High School, followed by Aurora High School and Southeast High School.
“We are a fun, educational tournament that serves as the unofficial start to the girl’s high school golf season and have some girls who shoot below par and some who are just starting the game of golf, as we are here to grow the game and encourage all girls,” says OGGF Executive Director Lynne Plaisance. “Girls’ golf is growing, and we’re proud to encourage, sponsor and support the game for the next generation of female golfers.”
This year’s showcase featured 15 high school teams, along with 18 girls playing as individuals from across the state. In addition to an 18-hole tournament, the girls also had an opportunity to hone their game, as the Foundation hosted LPGA Tour players, local PGA and LPGA professionals and golf industry leaders all in one location to share their expertise. Clinics included a rules seminar, short game techniques, and an on-course clinic led by tournament headliners LPGA tour professionals Barb Mucha and Janice Moodie exploring the importance of the mental process to the game.
During the event, OGGF presented 12 scholarships:
– Taylor Blazek of Southeast High School (attending Gannon University)
– Ava Furiga of Avon High School (attending The Ohio State University)
– Ashley Leavery of Theodore Roosevelt High School (attending The Ohio State University)
– Kennedy Lewis of Southern Local High School (attending Youngstown State University)
– Madison Maxwell of Copley High School (attending John Carroll University)
– Zoe Mort of Marlington High School (attending Ashland University)
– Scout Nicholson of Hubbard High School (attending Youngstown State University)
– Abigail Pantea of Firestone CLC (attending Kent State University)
– Ella Porter of Versailles High School (attending Ohio Northern University)
– Hannah Roush of Copley High School (attending The Ohio State University)
– Gracyn Vidovic of Aurora High School (attending Ashland University)
– Kayla Weisenberger of North Olmsted High School (attending Hiram College)
Over the years, the OGGF has awarded more than $160,000 in college scholarships to 150-plus girls and counting. The foundation awards college scholarships to incoming college freshmen based on involvement in the game of golf, community service, extracurricular efforts, academics and financial need. To apply for a 2026 college scholarship, visit OGGF.org.
TOP INDIVIDUAL SCORES:
Olivia Baker, St. Clairsville, 66; Gracyn Vidovic, Aurora, 66; Kayla Knaze, Magnificat, 70; Elizabeth Pollock, Chagrin Falls, 72; Emerson Glending, St. Joseph Academy, 72; Korrine Knaze, Magnifcat, 75; Annabelle Seville, Edison, 75; Elena Varga, Hudson, 76; Quinlan Malarkey, Cloverleaf, 78; Sammy Morgan, Southeast, 78.
TOP TEAM SCORES:
Magnificat High School, 316, followed by Aurora High School, 326; Southeast High School, 337; Lake Catholic High School, 368; St. Joseph Academy, 368
2025 OGGF Showcase Leaderboard >
— photos and story courtesy of OGGF and Laura Briedis
