The annual Zoar Memorial Amateur Championship is slated for May 28 and 29th at Zoar Golf Club. The 36-hole tournament features some of the best amateur players from Ohio and surrounding states. The 2021 Champion, Dylan Kauffman from Sugarcreek is unable to defend his title this year, so the Champions Crystal is up for grabs. In the Senior Division, Matt Bitikofer from Strasburg, is returning to defend his title.
Past champions also returning include Eric Crone, Brad Baker, Rob Schustrich, Dave Clarke and Aaron Crewse.
As is the tradition, the tournament will honor and remember those who have contributed to the game of golf.
This year’s Honoree is Dr. Barb Easlick. Barb was raised in Dover, Ohio and was a three-sport star at Kent State University. Upon graduation she worked at Bent Tree Golf and Racquet Club in Sarasota, Florida and began her quest to join the LPGA Tour coming close several times. She worked with PGA Professionals Johnny Kindred and David Leadbetter then came home to Dover and became the golf instructor at Zoar Golf Club for over 25 years.
She also served as the women’s basketball coach and started the softball program at Malone University before becoming a Full Professor in the School of Business. Dr. Easlick was inducted into the Malone Hall of Fame in 2002 and retired from Malone University in 2015 after 30 years of service. Today she spends her Winters in Wildwood, Florida and her summers in Grand Junction, Colorado.
The Zoar Memorial also would like to remember the career of Mr. Max McConnell of Coshocton. Max owned and operated the hardware store in Roscoe Village.
He started caddying at Hilltop GC in 1936 when most players tipped a nickel. He finished 2nd in the state amateur championship in 1940. Max won the county championship, known as the Tribune Tournament in 1938 at age of 16, winning 5 more times over the coming years. When asked why he never turned pro, he said, “It was considered a gypsy life back then and the winners made very little money.”
Max used to volunteer to teach women’s golf lessons for the Coshocton Recreation Department. One time after a lesson on chipping, a lady called Max at home and told him, “I tried to chip the way you taught me and I scored 10 strokes worse than I normally do.” Max replied, “You didn’t do it the way I told you to or you would have taken 10 strokes off of your score.”
Max McConnell was also a WWII War Hero. He was awarded the Bronze star, Silver Star, and a Presidential Citation for “unselfish gallantry on the battle field as a medic.” Max was credited with helping his platoon receive the Presidential Citation, mentioning his leadership enabling the men to stand strong while fighting five days straight with no sleep.
Max and his wife Mary Ann had three children. Mark was the PGA professional for 22 years at Sewickly CC in Pennsylvania. Prior to that he spent 6 years at St. Clair and 5 years at Hickory Flatt GC, Cynthia played at The Ohio State University from 1974-78 and taught in the Dublin School system, and Craig is currently in his 28th year at Oak Shadows GC after spending 5 years at Union CC.
The sold-out first round of the Zoar Memorial starts Saturday, May 28th at 11:30 at Zoar Golf Club.
