The second day of the 94th Portage County Amateur Championship saw changing leaderboards, a few very low scores, and a beautiful day at Raccoon Hill Golf Club in Kent.
Windmill Golf Club in Ravenna provided the first-round scores, which saw one-under-par Ryan Sam of Canfield (68) in the Open Division, a hotly contested County Division as Jeremy Knight of Streetsboro took the lead by one stroke over returning champion Evan Ferrara, and Rachel DiDonato of Akron scoring a nice 81 to distance herself from the field by four points.
But what a difference a day makes.
COUNTY DIVISION
Evan Ferrara of Kent has found himself a home at the top of the leaderboard for the Portage County Amateur.
On Sunday, Ferrara fired a two-over par 73 to post a two-day total of 150.
Defending his championship from 2023, Ferrara is a three-time champion and also won the Portage County Junior Amateur when he was in high school.
Two golfers who will also play in the Senior Portage County Amateur in August earned the second and third spots: Randy Wilburn of Deerfield (155) and Dove Fall of Windham (157). Fall will return to the Portage County Senior as the defending champion, but both golfers proved they have no problem playing with younger men.
WOMEN’S DIVISION
The lead didn’t change in the Women’s Division.
The three collegiate golfers all had a following as they made their way around Raccoon Hill for the second round.
Champion of the event was Rachel DiDonato of Akron. DiDonato played for Green High School and now competes for Northern Kentucky University.
DiDonato put together a two-round total of 166 including an 81 at Windmill Lakes and an 85 at Raccoon Hill.
Second place was earned by former Streetsboro stand-out, Samantha Miller who plays for Muskingum University.
Former member of the Lady Riders varsity golf team, Morgan Bauza grabbed third place. Bauza competes for Niagara University.
OPEN DIVISION
Two players from Youngstown State University grabbed first and third place in the Open Division with a player from Stow taking home the runner-up trophy.
The Penguins’ Ryan Sam followed the under-par round at Windmill with a three-over-par 73 at Raccoon to post a final 142 score.
Only one-stroke behind was Dylan Dunn of Stow who previously played for Ashland. Dunn posted scores of 71-72 for two-over-par total to earn second place honors.
Michael Porter, also a member of the Youngstown Penguins varsity golf team from McDonald, put together the only under-par round of the day at Raccoon, carding a 69 to go with his 75 on Saturday at Windmill.
Porter’s 144 placed him in the top three of the Open Division that was only separated by two strokes.
NEXT UP FOR THE PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEURS
Following three tournaments at the end of July, the 10th Kids Am, 18th Junior Am and 94th Portage County Amateur, the 54th Senior Portage County Amateur is hosted by Windmill Lakes and Raccoon Hill the final weekend of August.
Registration forms are available at PCAgolf.net, the Portage County Amateurs Facebook page and at host courses.
FINAL RESULTS:
94th PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 1: Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Ravenna
ROUND 2: Raccoon Hill, Golf Club, Kent
Saturday, July 27 – Sunday, July 28, 2024
COUNTY DIVISION:
CHAMPION – Evan Ferrara, Kent 150
2nd – Randy Wilburn, Deerfield 155
3rd – Dove Fall, Windham 157
REST OF THE FIELD: Derrick Benner, Mantua 159; Lucas Harrington, Aurora 159; Jeremy Knight, Streetsboro 160; Chad Brazill, Streetsboro 162; Kevin Ina, Kent 164; Jacob Springer, Atwater 165; Xander Moran, Kent 165; Mark Mitchell, Ravenna 165; Evan Dalziel, Kent 166; Garrison Rose, Garrettsville 166; Austin Nichols, Ravenna 166; Ed Marsinek, Shalersville 169; Michael Nichols, Garrettsville 173; Bailey Campbell, Mogadore 174; Jackson Eichler, Atwater 175; Ben Jenior, Rootstown 176; Aaron Snyder, Garrettsville 184; Eric Ernsberger, Ravenna 198; Kevin Lewis, 201.
WOMEN’S DIVISION:
CHAMPION – Rachel DiDonato, Akron 166
2nd – Samantha Miller, Streetsboro
3rd – Morgan Bauza, Kent 194
OPEN DIVISION:
CHAMPION – Ryan Sam, Canfield 142
2nd – Dylan Dunn, Stow 143
3rd – Michael Porter, McDonald 144
REST OF THE FIELD: Zachary Huscusson, New Franklin 146; Hunter Lowder, Brewster 152; Ty Vanbulck Bookeelia FL 162; Zac Isla, Canton 163; Jack Earvin, Uniontown 165; Jack Shepard, Canton 166.
