The first prep sports tournament of the year begins this week.

The quest for the Ohio state golf championship begins with sectional play in Divisions II and III around the Buckeye State.

Locally, Division II teams will compete on Monday and Division III opens play the following the day.

In Division II, squads will tee it up at River Greens Golf Course in West Lafayette. The top eight teams and eight individuals – not on a qualifying team – will advance to the district tournament, which will be held back at River Greens on Oct. 5.

Slated to compete in the sectional are Beaver Local, Buckeye Local, Cambridge, Claymont, Coshocton, East Liverpool, Edison, Garaway, Harrison, Indian Creek, Indian Valley, John Glenn, Martins Ferry, Maysville, Meadowbrook, Minerva, Morgan, Philo, Ridgewood, River View, Sandy Valley, St. Clairsville, Steubenville, Tuscarawas Valley, Union Local and West Muskingum.

At the district level, the East District will be joined by four teams from the southeast sectional.

From there, two teams and two individuals will qualify for the OHSAA State Golf Championship, which will be held at North Star Golf Resort in Sunbury.

IN DIVISION III, 16 schools will by vying for a district berth at Willandale Golf Club, which is located in Sugarcreek.

Prior to getting to that point, work must be done at the sectional level. The top six teams and six individuals not on a qualifying team will punch their tickets to the district level to compete with teams from the southeast portion of the state.

Slated to compete on Tuesday are Barnesville, Bishop Rosecrans, Bridgeport, Buckeye Trail, Steubenville Catholic Central, Conotton Valley, Fort Frye, Hiland, Malvern, Newcomerstown, River, Shadyside, St. John, Strasburg, Toronto and Tuscarawas Central Catholic.

Qualifying to the state will be no easy task in Division III. Just one team and one individual will advance from the district level.

BARNESVILLE GOALINERS SCRAMBLE

The annual event was held on Sept. 19 at Horseshoe Bend Golf Course with 18 teams taking part.

The winning team was comprised of Greg Darby, Dave Guy, Ron Heskett and Brad Hannahs, who shot a 16 under par round.

Second place went to the team of Matt Hissom, Ryan Powell, Jeff Powell and Jeff Hunkler. That squad checked in at 14 under par.

The winning team received golf equipment and gift certificates. There were also drawings held for equipment and NFL apparel, which was donated by 1960 Barnesville High grad Larry Marmie, who is a coach in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Nick Saffield once again served as the tournament director.

ACES

RAY MARINO, of Follansbee, aced the 89-yard fifth hole at Oglebay Park’s Crispin Course. He used a pitching wedge for his shot, which was witnessed by John Eikey and Dave Sims.

RICK HARRIS of Shadyside aced the 90-yard fifth hole last Monday at Oglebay’s Crispin Course. He used a gap wedge for his feat, which was witnessed by Dr. Steve Keding.

FINAL OFF THE TEE

As the calendar prepares to turn to October later this week, the Off the Tee section is heading into hibernation for the fall and winter. It will return next spring. I appreciate all of the results, aces and golf scoops you’ve provided throughout the season. If there are continued golf-related events, aces, etc., feel free to submit them and we’ll continue to get them in because I know many golf junkies in the Ohio Valley aren’t quite ready to put the sticks away just yet.

TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

It’s going to be an exciting final round of golf at the Tour Championship today in Atlanta. Jason Day has been incredible over the last six or so weeks, but Jordan Spieth won’t go away quietly. I think, regardless of who wins today and the $10M prize, Spieth should be the player of the year on the PGA Tour. To win two majors in a season is astounding. Plus, he was in the hunt in the other two, including a runner-up finish.