ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The high school golf season is less than a week away in Ohio and area players got another chance to hone their skills this past week.

The annual Belmont Hills Country Club Junior Golf Tournament was held at the challening par 72 layout in tough weather conditions, which actually caused a handful of players to withdraw.

Recent St. Clairsville graduate Jacob Jeffries captured the overall championship with a round of 3-over, 75. He was two shots better than classmate Broc Crist and three clear of Brendan Vucelich. All three played key roles in the Red Devils capturing the OVAC and Buckeye 8 titles last fall.

The top finisher who has yet to graduate was Barnesville’s Payne Johnson. He shot a round of 81. Joe Patrizi of St. Clairsville also took part.

In the boys’ 14-16 year old division, St. Clairsville’s Will Foster prevailed with a round of 77, which was four shots better than Barnesville’s Carter Wells.

Harrison Central’s Sam Santille finished fourth overall in the age group with an 87.

Other area players in this age group were Dylan Dunlevy of Linsly, Dryden Bauman of Barnesville, Jude Hannahs of Barnesville and St. Clairsville’s Aiden Moran also played.

The top area finisher in the boys’ 12-13 year old division was St. Clairsville’s Andrew Abel. Even Fix — another Red Devil player — also took part.

Barnesville’s Hayden Treadway took part in the 11 and under.

In the girls’ 15-18 year old division, Barnesville’s Breanna Flood prevailed with a 55, while Grace Green of Shadyside was third overall with a 56.

OGLEBAY PARK GOLF CLUB

The club teed it up for another event last Sunday. The annual TJ’s Restaurant and Sports Garden Medal and Handicap event was held with a field of 88 players taking part.

Bryan Myers — as he’s done several times this season — prevailed with a roun of 64 in the 50 and under medal division. He was three shots better than Jay Davis and five shots clear of Bob Potts.

Joe Ernst was the champion of the 50 and under handicap scoring with a 62.

In the 51-54 age group, Brooke Garrison prevailed with a 71 by three shots over Rich Brower.

Shawn Pennybacker was the champion of the handicap scoring in this age group with a 61.

The 55-59 title went to Rick Zandron, who finished with a 67. He was three shots better than Rich Humphrey.

Greg Woodfin claimed the 55-59 handicap scoring crown with a round of 60.

The 60-64 division was captured by Paul Kurtz, who finished with a 68. He was three shots better than Mark Maguire.

George Melnik was the champion of the 60-64 year old division with a 62.

The 65-69 class went to Bob Clark and his 67. He was five shots better than Jim Dailer.

In the handicap portion of the event, Mark Freizli won with a 58.

Claiming the title in the 70 and over via a scorecard playoff was Floyd Shuler. He edged out Tom Stillmak for the title. Both posted rounds of 69.

In the handicap scoring, Paul DeMailo finished with a 59 for the win.

Closest to the pin prizes were also awarded. Those went to Jay Davis (No. 2), Mike Wilson (No. 5), Mike Mazure (No. 7), Doug Richards (No. 10) and Hunter Travis (No. 13).

WHEELING PARK GOLF CLUB

The annual Larry Loew Memorial event was held on July 14. Steve Usenick prevailed by six shots after firing a round of 68 over Art Lightner.

Gary Mercer was third overall with a 75, while Rich Colley was fourth with a round of 76, while Jim Druschel was fifth with an 80.

In the handicap scoring portion of the event, Nick Klamut posted a round of 67 to prevail, while Dave Stauver was second with a 69. Joe Wurtzbacher was third with a round of 71, while Dick Moore was fourth with a 71 and Bob Green was fifth with a 72.

The American Tire event was held on July 17. Jim Ennis was the medal champion with a round of 33, which was two shots better than Stephen Gretchen. Rich Colley was third with a 36, while Roger Kupfer was fourth with a 36 and Rodney Eikey was fifth with a 37.

The handicap scoring portion of the event was captured by Joe Kosar with a round of 33. Ron Heatherly was second with a 34 and Mike Perring was third with a 34. Tom Mitchell was fourth with a 37. Larry Goodnight, Ray Coe, Rod Eikey and Chris Bommer tied for fifth with a 37.

CINDY O’DONNELL

MEMORIAL SCRAMBLE

When Patrick O’Donnell set out to begin the Cindy O’Donnell Memorial Scramble, which is named for his late mother, he wanted to — first and foremost — honor his mom while raising some money for a scholarship in her honor. Secondly, he wanted to help promote the game of golf.

Currently a PGA Professional in Minneapolis, the 2010 Shadyside High School graduate is preparing for the second annual event, which will be held on Aug. 17 at Belmont Hills Country Club.

The scramble benefits the Cindy O’Donnell Foundation, which Patrick started in 2017 with the help of many of his child-hood friends.

“This is always something I have dreamed of doing after losing my mom,” Patrick said in a release. “It’s amazing that we are now in our second year and we look forward to another strong year after a successful first event.”

The foundation presented its first scholarship this spring to Jacob Wharry, a Shadyside High School graduate, in the amount of $5,000. Wharry will enroll at West Virginia University this fall.

“We had several great applicants, all of whom were very deserving,” O’Donnell said. “Jacob’s story just resonated with our whole team and we could not be happier to award this scholarship to him.”

Along with the scholarship, the foundation made a $1,000 donation to the American Cancer Society in Cindy’s honor.

“We had tremendous support from the entire Ohio Valley in 2018 and we continue to see that support this year,” O’Donnell pointed out. “This will be another successful year thanks to this amazing community.”

To enter the scramble, the fee is $300 per team, which includes golf, cart, skill prizes, lunch, dinner, awards and beverages.

For more information on sponsorships or to enter a team in the event, please contact Patrick O’Donnell at 740-827-6720 or via email at podonnell@thecindyofoundation.com

UPCOMING SCRAMBLES

THE SHAMROCK Bowling Golf Scramble will be held on July 27th at Salt Fork State Park. The event will begin with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. The cost is $60 per player or $240 per team. The top two teams will receive prizes. There will be door prizes and raffles, too. For more information, contact Nick Saffield at

THE BARNESVILLE Hospital Scramble will be played on Aug. 2 at Belmont Hills Country Club. A shotgun start will be held at 10 a.m. and awards and dinner are slated for 3 p.m. The 17th annual event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the hospital auxiliary.

The cost to enter is $120 per player and it includes golf, lunch, dinner, prizes and refreshments on the course. There are also four levels of sponsorships available.

For more information, conact David Phillips at 740-425-5101.