The annual Fred & Mary Jo Mehlman Independence Day Tournament was held on July 4, utilizing a 2 Net Best Ball of Four. The foursome of Bryan Woodford, Jason Lucas, Lisa Simon and Bill Sokolowski prevailed with a score of 112. Finishing second — a stroke back — was the team of Zach Azallion, Kevin Abel, JC Thrash and Michelle Anderson. Finishing third with a score of 116 was the team of Doug Brannon, Phil Pata Jr., Cody Hall and Rob Anderson.

The same team that finished second was the “Red Ball” winners with a score of 57.

The closest to the pin prizes went to Joe Jeffries, Brian Schambach, Marlin Harper and Cody Hall.

All told, 13 teams took part in the event.

WHEELING PARK GOLF CLUB

The Rohrig Heavy Equipment medal and handicap scoring event was held last weekend. Rich Colley prevailed with a round of 70. He won in a scorecard playoff against Art Lightner, who also signed for a 70. George Melnick was third with a 72. Gary Mercer was fourth with a 74. Nick Klamut was fifth with a 75.

Steve Usenick won the handicap scoring with a round of 66, while Joe Wurtzbacher was second with a 67. Robbie Evans finished third with a 67 and Tom Mitchell was fourth with a 68.

The Club Marshall event was held last week. Roger Kupfer captured the medal crown with a round of 34. Bill Piccard was second with a 37. Also posting a 37 en route to third place was Austin DiGiandomenico. Rod Ekey was fourth with a 37. Tying for fifth was Gary Mercerand Robbie Evans at 38.

In the handicap scoring portion of the event, Russ Travis was the winner with a 30. Bob Green was second with a 32, while John Bryan was third with a 34. Rich Colley finished fourth with a 35. Dick Moore, Paul Carney and Josh Green finished tied for fifth with a 35.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK JUNIOR GOLF

In the First National Bank Tour, Martins Ferry’s Luke Krol was the top area finisher with a round of 84. Barnesville’s Payne Johnson’s checked in with an 86.

In the girls’ division, Trail’s Rylie Smith was fourth with a round of 86.

In the 13-15 year old division, Barnesville’s Carter Wells was the top area finisher with a round of 87. St. Clairsville’s Will Foster posted a round of 97.

In the boys’ 12 and under division, St. Clairsville’s Andrew Abel was eighth overall with a score of 51 for nine holes.

JUNIOR GOLF TOURNAMENTS

The Crystal Springs Junior Golf Tournament will be held on Wednesday, July 25 at Crystal Springs in Hopewell, OH. There will be age brackets for 16-18 year old boys, 13-18 girls, 13-15 boys and 9 holes for 9-12 boys.

The entry fee is $25 for 13-18 year olds, which includes 18 holes, golf, food and drink. The 9-12 entry fee is $20 for 9 holes, food and drink.

The top two finishers in each division will receive an award. For more information, please contact wmmsgolf@yahoo.com or text or call 740-624-2882.

THE JOHN Glenn Junior Invitational was held last Monday at Cadiz Country Club and numerous area competitors took part in the event.

St. Clairsville’s Jacob Jefferies finished third with a 79. Barnesville’s Davey Wells carded an 81, while St. C.’s Brendan Vucelich checked in with an 84. St. Clairsville’s Ethan Bethel took part, too.

In the 14-15 year old division, Barnesville’s Carter Wells finished second with an 85, while St. C.’s Will Foster was fourth with a 93. Barnesville’s Hayden Treadway played in the 11 and under division.

OGLEBAY FEATURED

If you were playing at the Oglebay Park Palmer Course last Tuesday, you may have noticed a familiar face from the golfing media world. Fox Sports’ Holly Sonders, who conducts interviews during the U.S. Open, was at Oglebay to tape “18 Holes” a golfing destination show that airs on regional Fox Sports channels. Sonders was on hand with PGA pro Jimmy Hanlin to play the Palmer Course.

BRITISH OPEN

Don’t forget to set your alarm clocks for approximately 4 a.m. or so this weekend. The annual Open Championship tees it up at Carnoustie. Links golf isn’t for everyone. And by that, I mean both the average golf fan and the players. But, it’s always an interesting tournament and similar to the U.S. Open, the scores to par are never inordinate. Last year, Jordan Spieth won the title at 12-under. He was three shots clear of Matt Kuchar. I don’t think either player will be in the hunt this week. Picking these winners is so difficult because there are so many talented players and really it comes down to who can avoid the most bunkers. I am going to go with one of the young guns. Justin Thomas will hoist the Claret Jug Sunday.

UPCOMING SCRAMBLES

Tom Donahue Scramble

The Tom Donahue Memorial Golf Scramble will be held on Sunday, Aug. 19 at BecWood Hills Golf Course. The entry fee is $60 per player or $240 per team. Included is golf, cart, food, refreshments, prizes and door prizes. The event will begin with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. For more information, please contact Bill Wilson at 740-391-9841, Buzz Donahue at 740-676-4110 or Dick Johnson at 740-359-2301.

St. Joseph Tiltonsville Holy Name Society Scramble

The St. Joseph, Tiltonsville, Holy Name Society is sponsoring its 36th annual four-person golf scramble on Saturday, Aug. 11 at Fairway River Links in Rayland. Entry fee for the 7 a.m. shotgun start is $50 per golfer and includes a golf cart, continental breakfast, and unlimited delicious food and beverages throughout the event. Players 70 and over may play from the red tees. Cash prizes, skins game, closest-to-the-pin competition and 50/50 raffle are also scheduled. Hole sponsorships are available at $25. Registration at the Fairway River Links or by phoning: (740) 859-9304 or (740) 859-2698. This event is open to the public and, as always, women golfers are welcome.

Muskingum Golf Outing Slated

The Muskingum University Athletic Department is hosting its annual golf outing at EagleSticks Golf Course in Zanesville on Thursday, July 26th at noon. The cost is $100 per golfer or $400 per foursome. Price includes 18 holes of golf, drink tickets, and dinner. Additionally, the event will feature a ball drop contest … $50.00 per ball with a chance to win $5,000 if your ball lands closest to the hole or in the hole. To register for the event or to purchase a ball for the ball drop – please contact Muskingum Men’s Basketball Head Coach Travis Schwab at 740-826-8423 or via email at tschwab@muskingum.edu.

Ohio Valley Wrestling Officials Association Sets Event

The Ohio Valley Wrestling Officials Association will be playing host to its annual golf scramble Saturday, Aug. 11 at Cadiz Country Club. Registration begins at noon, with shoutgun start at 1. Dinner will be served at 6. Entry fee is $240 per 4-man team. Entry includes golf, prizes, skins game and dinner. There will be prizes for longest drive, longest putt and closest to the pin on select par 3s. For more information, call Shane Kildow at (740) 391-5928 or Paul Coffland at (740) 491-0786.

Powhatan Legion Ladies Auxiliary Slated

The Powhatan American Legion Ladies Auxiliary are sponsoring their fifth three-man golf scramble at the Clar-Mar golf course on August 11. Shotgun start at 9:00. The entry fee is $200.00, which includes golf, cart, and a dinner following at the post home. This year’s scramble is in memory of Brady Baker. Teams are limited so get your entry fees in asap. Entry fees can be made at the post home, call 740 795-4190 or 740 310-2935. Money raised will go toward their scholarships.

Deihl Memorial Scramble Slated

The 8th Annual Vance Deihl Memorial Scholarship Scramble is being held on Saturday, July 21 at Cadiz Golf Course in Cadiz, Ohio. The entry fee is $60.00 per player with checks made payable to Vance Deihl Memorial Scholarship Fund. Sign in at 7:30 a. m. with a shot gun start at 8:00 a.m. The fee includes refreshments on the course, lunch at first turn, dinner after tournament, and prizes.

Vance Deihl was a teacher, coach, and athletic trainer at Martins Ferry High School for 30 years. All proceeds benefit scholarships for Martins Ferry High School seniors. For more information and to sign up a team, please contact Susann Deihl at 740-635-2069 or send team information with checks payable to Vance Deihl Scholrship Fund to Susann Deihl, 67262 Charles Street, Bridgeport, Ohio 43912.