One of the area’s longest-running youth golf tournaments is just a few weeks away.

Plans for the annual Wheeling Elks Lodge #28 Junior Golf Tournament are well under way, according to long-time co-chairman Bob Joseph.

“This is a good event because of the camraderie it creates for the kids playing,” Joseph said. “A lot of the kids go play a lot of rounds with their friends, but we try to separate them into different groups, so they play with different kids and meet new people.”

The event is slated for Wednesday, June 21 at Oglebay Park’s Crispin Course. It is open to boys and girls from both Ohio and West Virginia. There are three age groups for both genders, including 10-12, 13-15 and 16-18.

“We will take as many kids as we can get … there no is maximum number of entrants,” Joseph continued.

Registration for the event will begin at 7 a.m. and there’s a players’ meeting scheduled for 7:50 a.m. with a shotgun start planned for 8:30. There is no entry fee to play.

Following the round, there will be food, refreshments and an awards presentation at the Haller Shelter.

“We had around 50 players last year and we’re hoping for more this year,” Joseph continued. “For a couple of years, we had some lean years (in terms of entries). We actually thought about dropping it, but we’ve rebounded some and hope it continues.”

For more information or to register, please contact Joseph at 304-277-4446. Entry forms are also available at most area golf courses.

OGLEBAY PARK GOLF CLUB

Despite some rain showers, the Oglebay Park Golf Club held its fourth event of the season with 80 players taking part in a two-man, 50 percent best ball format at the Cadiz Country Club.

The winning duo was Bob Potts and Ray Hornick with a 65. Mark Maguire and Mike Wilson finished second with a 67, while Tom Gaudino and Harry Himrod also posted a 67.

The balance of the leaderboard included: Frank Bland Jr. and Greg Woodfin, 68; Jim Dailer and Bill Glitch, 69; Gary Keidasch and Chuck Dedo, 70; Jeff Thrash and J.C. Thrash, 70; Jake Pennybacker and Chuck Hawkins, 71.

The closest to the pin prizes went to Frank Bland Jr. (No. 2), George Melnick (No. 8), Doug Hennen (No. 11) and Gary Keidasch (No. 13).

The skins were recorded by Dale Kurner (No. 8), Mike Wilson (No. 10), Gary Keidasch (No. 13), Bob Potts (No. 14) and Tom Mitchell (No. 17).

Keidasch’s skin on the par 3, 13th was a the result of an ace.

JUNIOR GOLF

Though the spring high school sports are still winding down, many athletes have shifted their focus to the fall. Especially golfers, who are just a couple of months from teeing it up to begin their 2017 seasons.

Junior tournament play began last weekend at Edgewater Golf Club in Minerva with the First National Bank Tour hosting an event.

The top-finishing area players were St. Clairsville’s Brendan Vucelich and Barnesville’s Davey Wells. They finished tied for sixth with a round of 85 in the 16-18 year old division.

One shot behind them was St. Clairsville’s Jacob Jeffries. Harrison Central’s Clint Heavilin posted a 94.

In the 13-15 year old division, Martins Ferry’s Luke Krol shot an 85 to finish third.

DOWLER SCRAMBLE

The Belmont College Foundation hosted its annual Thomas R. Dowler Memorial Classic Golf Scramble earlier this month at Belmont Hills Country Club.

The event, which helps raise funds for the Dowler Fund at Belmont College, was won by Team Pathway Growth, which consisted of Francis Hanasky, Frank Hewitt, Frank Polinselli and Bruce Thompson.

Sponsors for the event included Belmont Savings Bank, Designs and Logos, Doan Ford, Mrs. Linda Dowler, Fulcrum Pittsburgh, LLC; Wayne Smith; Harry and Sue White and Whiteside’s.

WHEELING PARK GOLF CLUB

The Kupfer Brother Logging 2-man scramble was held last weekend. The duo of Roger Kupfer and Art Lightner prevailed with a round of 30. Jim Ennis and Bob Green posted a 33 to finish second. Third place went to Jim Druschel and Mike Crow. Steve Usenick and Joe Wurtzbacher finished with a 35 as did Bill Kerns and Josh Green.

In the handicap scoring portion of the event, Paul Alig Sr. and Paul Alig Jr. posted a 28 to prevail. Dave Stauver and Dick Moore also posted a 28. Bob McLaughlin and Nick Klamut, Gary Mercer and Chris Bommer, John Wakim and Bruno DeCrease all finished with rounds of 28.

SCRMABLES

SONS OF ITALY SCRAMBLE

The 18th annual Sons of Italy Bellaire Lodge golf scramble, which benefits Alzheimers & Cooley’s Anemia Charities will be held on Monday, June 5 with a 1 p.m. shotgun start at Oglebay Park’s Crispin Course. The entry fee is $200 per four-man team. The fee includes golf, cart, refreshments on the course and dinner served at the Haller Shelter after the tournament. The top three teams will receive cash prizes and the event is limited to the first 36 teams. To register, contact Phil Pata at 740-695-0691.

TOM DONAHUE

MEMORIAL SCRAMBLE

The American Legion , Bellaire Post 52, Tom Donahue Memorial Golf Scramble will be held on Saturday, June 17 at Bec-Wood Golf Course in Rayland. The entry fee is $60 per player or $240 per team and it needs to be paid by June 5. Sign in is at 8 a.m. with the event slated for a shotgun start at 9 a.m. For more information, please contact Bill Wilson at 740-391-9841, Harold “Buzz” Donahue 676-4110, Dick Johnson at 740-359-2301 or the American Legion Post at 676-2515.

UL BOOSTERS CLUB SCRAMBLE

The Union Local Jets Boosters’ Club is sponsoring the second annual golf scramble at the Belmont Hills Country Club on June 17th with a shotgun start slated for 1 p.m. The cost is $100 per person or $400 per team. Entry deadline is June 2nd. This includes payout, dinner, and beverages. There will be 50/50 raffle, tons of prizes, a chance to win a full set of irons. $100 Hole sponsor level -Sign Recognition, and Corporate sponsor $500 (includes team and hole sponsor). Mulligans and skins included. Plus Doan Ford will sponsor a car giveaway for a Hole-in-One. Three payouts: 1st place-$600, 2nd place-$400, and 3rd place $200. Please Contact: Pro Shop 740-695-2263, Ruthie Martin 740-526-1131, Eric Snodgras 304-281-0191.

Bellaire TD Club Scramble

The Bellaire Touchdown Club will hold its 11th annual golf outing on June 24 at Fairway River Links. The entry fee is $60 per person or $240 per team. The cost includes cart, lunch, beverages and dinner after the round. Entry forms are available at Gulla’s Lunch, Fairway River Links, Rigas Restaurant, Frizzi’s Market and the Quick Stop in Neffs. For more information, call Norm at 699-0313.