Seth Vannoy knew college golfing would be nothing like high school.

Despite bracing himself mentally and preparing well physically, the St. Clairsville High product still had his fair share of growing pains.

But, now playing NCAA Division II golf for Alderson-Broaddus, Vannoy handled it in stride, adjusted well and is already thinking about what lies ahead.

“I went out and tried to play the best I could,” Vannoy said. “It was a little overwhelming at times. I wasn’t used to the competition or length of the courses.”

Vannoy became a solid contributor for the Battlers’ program, which is still relatively new and upcoming.

Playing in the Great Midwestern Athletic Conference, Vannoy earned second-team all-GMAC, but was named the conference’s freshman of the year.

“Being the freshman of the year means a lot,” Vannoy said. “I was kind of surprised, but it means a lot to know you’re the best freshman in the conference or had the best season.”

The college golf season is actually split between the fall and spring, which also led to an adjustment for Vannoy.

“You get to school and the first few tournaments are in really good weather and then the second part of the fall season and most of the spring are in a lot different conditions.”

Vannoy is aided at Alderson-Broaddus by Adam Jefferies, who completed his sophomore season. He was an all-GMAC finisher and was the Battlers’ leader most of the season.

“Adam and one of our seniors really took me under their wing,” Vannoy said. “Whether it was in practice or just hanging out on campus, those older guys were a big help in the adjustment process for me.”

Vannoy’s goals remain the same.

“I want to win a conference title and hopefully get to at least the NCAA Super Regionals,” Vannoy admitted. “We played well (in the conference tournament) this year, but we’ll have to raise the bar higher.”

DOWLER SCRAMBLE

No fewer than 17 teams took part in the fourth annual Thomas R. Dowler Memorial Classic Golf Scramble at Belmont Hills Country Club, leading tournament officials to deem it a success.

The event is held to raise money for the Belmont College Thomas R. Dowler Fund, which is used to “support the students, faculty, programs and facilities of Belmont College.”

“Mr. Dowler, former President of the Foundation Board, played an integral part in building the Belmont College Foundation, and his love of the college was evident to all those who knew him,” said R.J. Konkoleski, Vice President of Advancement and Marketing, in a prepared release “We are so pleased to host this golf scramble in Mr. Dowler’s memory as the college’s way of continuing his legacy. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Mrs. Linda Dowler as well as all of our sponsors and volunteers who assisted with the event.”

Winning the event on the course was the team of Eric Coe, Jacob Hamm, Brian Schambach and Trent Schambach.

Major sponsors of the Thomas R. Dowler Memorial Classic Golf Scramble were as follows: Banker & White; Belmont Savings Bank; Doan Ford; Independent Insurance Agents of Belmont County; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #14; PNC; St. Clairsville Sunrise Rotary; and Whiteside.

SENECAVILLE SENIOR LEAGUE

The second week of action in the senior league commenced last Tuesday at Senecaville’s Robins’ Ridge Golf.

The closest to the pins were captured by Dennis Pilck and John Knowlton.

The low gross rounds went to Hannahs and Hannahs with a 34 and the same pair also claimed the low net.

The results of the event are as follows:

Pilck/McJessey 2, Peters/Hartley 0; Allender/Shipe 2, Saltz/Roe 0; Hannahs/Hannahs 2, Bodner/McGee 0; Stavroff/Mayberry 2; Bickford/Waske 0; StClair/StClair 2; Clapper/Magers 0; Koegler/Robinson/1, Lucas/Samida 1; Davis/Knowlton 2, Trott/Kapolka 0; Millhone/Schultice 2, Pontius/Hodges 0; Coblentz/Arnold 2, Williams/Ruppel 0; Gander/Wickham 2, Stevens/Hartley 0.

WHEELING PARK GOLF CLUB

The Wharton’s Auto Service event was held on May 20. Roger Kupfer won the 9-hole event with a round of 34. One shot back were Doug Miller and Chris Bommer. George Melnik fired a 36 to finish in sole possession of fourth.

A three-way tie for fifth was between Bob Green, Larry Goodnight and Art Lightner at 37.

In the handicap scoring portion of the event, Lloyd Carmichael prevailed with a 32. Shawn Schwertfeger also finished with a 32. Ron Heatherly, Bruno DeCrease, Rich Colley and John Bryan all posted rounds of 34.

BELMONT HILLS JUNIOR

TOURNAMENT

The annual junior tournament will be held on Monday, July 27 at Belmont Hills Country Club. The event will feature divisions for boys and girls, including ages 17-18, 15-16 and 13-14 for boys; 16-18 and 13-15 for girls. The event will begin at 10 a.m. with a shotgun start.

The top three finishers in each age group, for boys and girls, will receive an award. The entry fee is $30 with checks being made payable to Barnesville Golf Parents.

Lunch will be provided for all tournament contestants and available for purchase for all spectators. Carts will be available for spectators, but they must remain on the cart path.

The deadline to enter is Monday, July 14. For more information, please contact Nick Bauman at 740-827-2794.

BELMONT HILLS

JUNIOR CLINICS

A chance for area youth to improve their golf games will begin on June 2 and run throghout the month at Belmont Hills Country Club during it’s annual junior golf clinics.

The dates are as follows: June 2, 5, 9, 10, 16, 17, 22, 24 and 29. The cost is $125 for members and $150 for non members. Class times will be assigned on Sunday, May 31.

For more information, or to register, please call the BHCC pro shop at 695-2263.

UPCOMING SCRAMBLES

• THE WHEELING Jesuit University Cardinal Athletic Club Golf Scramble will be held on Thursday, June 4 at the Arnold Palmer Golf Course at Oglebay Park. The four-person scramble is $400 per team and every hole has a prize, including special prizes for women. The tournament will be limited to 128 players or 32 teams. The cost includes green fees, cart, lunch, beverages on the course and dinner immediately following the round. For more information, please contact Dan Sancomb at 304-243-2366.

• The Bellaire Touchdown Club will be sponsoring its ninth annual golf outing on Saturday, June 27 at Fairway River Links. The entry fee is $60 per person or $240.00 per team of four. The cost includes cart, lunch and beverages during the scramble and a dinner afterwards. Entries forms are available at Gulla’s Lunch, Fairway River Links, Frizzi’s Market or at the Am. Legion. For more information, please call Norm at 699-0313, Jay at 359-7037 or Bob at 676-5490.

• THE ANNUAL Shadyside Boosters Golf Scramble will be held at Armstrong Mills Golf Course on Saturday, May 30. The event will begin at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start. The entry fee is $200 per team. Lunch and beverages will be provided. Registration forms are available at Eddie’s Barbershop. For more information, please contact Jerry Miller at 740-312-5023.

• THE 16TH annual Sons of Italy Bellaire Lodge #754 is holding its annual scramble to benefit Alzheimers & Cooley’s Anemia Charities on Monday, June 8 at Oglebay Park’s Crispin Course. The event will begin with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The entry feet for the event is $200 per team, which includes golf, cart, refreshments and dinner after the round. The top three teams will receive prizes and the event is limited to 36 teams. For more information, contact Phil Pata at 695-0691.

• THE HARRY Slacum Memorial Golf Scramble, which will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network, will be held on Wednesday, May 27 at Oglebay Park’s Crispin Course. The event will begin with a shotgun start at 8 a.m.. The event will feature four-person teams and the cost to enter is $50 per player. The cost includes golf, cart and food. For more information, please contact Lou D’Amico at 740-827-1758.

• THE OHIO VALLEY Wrestling Officials Association will hold its golf scramble on Saturday, Aug. 8 at Cadiz Country Club. The event will begin at 1 p.m. with a shotgun start. The cost is $220 for a four-person team and that includes golf, cart, prizes, skins game and dinner. There will be special skill prizes for long drive, longest putt and closest to the pin. There are sponsorship opportunities available, too. There are $50 hole sponsors or $500 for a major sponsor, which includes a team. The proceeds of the event benefit OVAC wrestling and local scholarships. For more information, or to register, please contact Shane Kildow at 740-391-5928 or Paul Coffland at 740-491-0786.

• The fifth annual Amanda Rosepapa Memorial Foundation golf scramble is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1.

The event will be a four-person scramble at Horseshoe Bend Golf Course in Armstrong Mills and the entry fee is $200 per team. The cost includes golf, cart, lunch and beverages. There will be prizes for longest drive, longest putt and closest to the pin.

The proceeds of the event will benefit the OVAC softball scholarship and go toward starting a “second chance fund” for nursing students at Belmont College.

Registrations are available by contacting Anita Day at 740-676-0366 or on Facebook through the Amanda Rosepapa Memorial Foundation page.

Staskey can be reached at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com