For the first time since 2017, the Northern Ohio Section of the Professional Golfers Association of America will be looking to regain possession of the Ohio Cup, an event that will be played Tuesday and Wednesday at Barrington Golf Club in Aurora.
The 26th team competition between the NOPGA and its counterpart Southern Ohio PGA features a Ryder Cup format, with a 10-man squad in the Regular Division and a 6-man Senior Division roster.
The SOPGA snapped the NOPGA’s four-year winning streak in 2021 with an 18-14 victory at the Pinnacle Golf Club in Grove City. The NOPGA still leads the series, 16-9.
The NOPGA returns to the competition with a new captain and two new assistant captains. NOPGA Hall-of-Famer Gary Robison, an assistant last year under fellow Hall-of-Famer Gary Trivisonno, has advanced to the top spot and will be assisted by two more NOPGA Hall of Fame Members Mitch Camp, PGA Head Golf Professional at Club Walden, and Tom Waitrovich, formerly PGA Director of Golf at Lakewood Country Club and now retired.
The Regular Division team has six returning players in Randy Dietz (Windmill Golf Center), Jaysen Hansen (Beechmont Country Club), Cory Kumpf (Brookside Country Club), Adam Lewicki (Portage Country Club), Jim Troy (Windmill Golf Center) and Rob Moss (Pepper Pike Club).
The Senior Division team includes all experienced Ohio Cup Players in Tony Adcock (Seven Hills Country Club), Tom Atchison (PGA of America Life Member), Mitch Camp, (Club Walden), Jon Jones (Youngstown Country Club), Gary Rusnak (1899 Golf, CLE East), and Trivisonno, who returns to competing after serving as captain for the previous four years.
A QUICK GLANCE AT THE 26TH OHIO CUP
WHAT: 26TH Ohio Cup, pitting professionals from the Northern Ohio Section of the Professional Golfers Association of America vs. their counterparts from the Southern Ohio Section in a Ryder Cup-style match-play format.
WHEN: Tuesday and Wednesday, October 4-5, 2022
WHERE: Barrington Golf Club, 350 North Aurora Rd., Aurora.
PRESENTING SPONSORS: Titleist; Sun Mountain; Ahead; Lavery Automotive Sales & Service; FootJoy.
COURSE INFORMATION: The Jack Nicklaus-designed course plays to 7,094 yards and a par of 36-36—72.
SCHEDULE: TUESDAY, 8:30 a.m.: Eight Four-Ball (aka Best-Ball) matches (two-man teams). TUESDAY, 1 p.m.: Eight Foursome (aka Alternate Shot) matches (two-man teams). WEDNESDAY, 8:30 a.m. 16 Singles matches.
FORMAT: Each side will field a team in the Regular Division and the Senior Division (consisting of six players ages 50-and-over). One point is awarded for each victory and ties earn one-half point.
HISTORY: The NOPGA is seeking to avenge an 18-14 loss last year at Pinnacle Golf Club in Grove City, which snapped a four-match winning streak. The NOPGA leads the series, 16-9. The SOPGA had a one-point lead after the Four-Ball and Foursome matches and won the Cup by winning eight of the 16 Singles matches, with one tie and one match incomplete when it became mathematically impossible for the NOPGA to win.
NORTHERN OHIO PGA
Captain Gary Robison (PGA Of America Life Member); Assistant Captains Mitch Camp (Club Walden) and Tom Waitrovich (PGA of America Life Member).
Regular Division: Darin deLelys (Westfield Country Club), Randy Dietz (Windmill Golf Center); Jaysen Hansen (Beechmont Country Club); Cory Kumpf (Canton Brookside Country Club); Adam Lewicki (Portage Country Club); Rob Moss (Pepper Pike Club); Drew Pierson (The Clubhouse); Mark Sierak (Barrington Golf Club); Daniel Terry (Chippewa Golf Club); Jim Troy (Windmill Golf Center)
Senior Division: Tony Adcock (Seven Hills Country Club); Tom Atchison (PGA of America Life Member); Mitch Camp (Club Walden); Jon Jones (Youngstown Country Club); Gary Rusnak (1899 Golf, CLE East); Gary Trivisonno (PGA of America Life Member).
SOUTHERN OHIO PGA
Captain Ken Corliss; Assistants Bob Sowards; Steve Groves.
Regular Division: Mike Auterson, David Bahr, Kyle Booher, Ricky Denny, Andy Montgomery, Joe Moore, Chris Muse, Jeff Olsen, Danny Sorgini, Chase Wilson.
Senior Division: Sam Arnold, Craig Goldsberry, Tim Krapfel, Bob Sowards, Bob Stephens, Mike Thomas.
