Gavin Goodrich Captures 12th Annual Kalkreuth Amateur Golf Championship

WHEELING - Golfers have to have short memories. Gavin Goodrich can attest to that.

The Wheeling Park High School graduate and senior-to-be at California University of Pennsylvania shot a bogey-free round of 69 (34-35) Sunday on the Speidel Golf Club's Robert Trent Jones Course inside Oglebay Park to win the 12th annual Kalkreuth Amateur Golf Championship with a two-day score of 138.

On Saturday, Goodrich also shot 69 (34-35) on the Arnold Palmer Course to trail Cole Hand by two shots.

"Honestly, I learned my lesson yesterday (Saturday) after making a triple (bogey)," he admitted. "You have to eliminate bogeys and I did a really good job of that. This is the first time I've ever had a bogey-free round at Jones. This was probably one of the best rounds I've ever shot here. I've had lower scores, but tee-to-green was my best."

The 21-year-old finished one shot behind Adam Gill in the Bordas & Bordas Amateur earlier this summer and also was runnerup at the Oglebay Park Men's Club Championship, but winning this event is special.

"This is the one that I'll remember forever," he said. "I putted amazing. I made some that I probably would never make again. I didn't miss a lot of shots. Winning itself is hard, but winning at home makes this even more special."

Goodrich had a chance to double up in the Best-Ball format with teammate and classmate Chaz Ekoniak, but an unbelievable tee shot on the first playoff hole by current West Liberty University golf coach and defending champion Noah Seivertson prevented that. Seivertson's tee shot hit the golf cart path and bounced to the green before rolling to within 6-8 feet of the hole. He birdied the hole to win the playoff with partner Cole Hand, and defend their Best-Ball title from 2025.

"That was a great shot by Noah," Goodrich said. "It was unbelievable."

Mark Sulek II, a former Wittenberg University golfer from Delaware, Ohio, finished second at 140. They were the only two golfers that finished under par. Hand, who finished third after holding the first day lead, finished at even par on the weekend.

Matt Ball won the First Flight with a two-day total of 147 which was three shots better than Mark Waller.

Eric Snodgrass shot 134 to defeat Brad Baker (141) for the Senior Flight championship. They were the lone two under par.

Paul Kurtz won the Super Senior Flight with a 151. Jim Bittengle, Mike Davis and Jeff Kuske all shot 154.

Emily Holzopfel easily defended her Ladies Flight title with a sizzling 10-under-par, 132. Wheeling teenage sensation Ellie West was second at 144.

The future looks bright for the St. Clairsville High School golf team as the top three finishers in the Junior Flight will tee it up this fall for the Red Devils. Beau Mooney won the event with a 147, two shots better than teammates Mason Conway and Ryan Mooney, and McGuffey High School's Joshua Rusmisel.

The event is a huge fundraiser for the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center.