SOWARDS OFF AND RUNNING IN QUEST OF 4TH STRAIGHT OHIO SENIOR OPEN TITLE
Dublin’s Bob Sowards played his final six holes in four-under par and is half-way home to winning a record fourth straight championship in the Michelob Ultra Ohio Senior Open at Firestone Country Club.
Sowards opened the 36-hole event with a 3-under 67 and will take a two-shot lead over eight players on Thursday, including former champion Mitch Camp, PGA Director of Golf at Club Walden in Aurora, Firestone member Howard Clendenin, who was runner-up to Sowards in 2020, and Youngstown’s Dennis Miller, PGA a former Ohio Open champ.
Cincinnati amateur Ed Steiber owns a 3-shot lead in the Seniors Plus division for players 60-and-over after opening with a two-under 68.
Brad Zeitner, PGA Head Professional at Brookside Country Club in Columbus, and Scott Perry, an amateur from Lowell, were tied for second place at one-over 71 and Mark Borlin, an amateur from Stow, is alone in third place at 72.
Steiber, 63, is one of two runners-up to Scott Spence last year. Spence, 66, is one of four players tied at 3-over 73.
Sowards, who turns 54 on June 9, can join Gary Robison as the only four-time winner of the event conducted by the Northern Ohio Section of the Professional Golfers Association of America and being played for the 37th time.
Robison, a NOPGA Hall-of-Famer and former PGA Director of Golf at Brookside Country Club in Canton, did not win four consecutive titles, winning in 2018, 2015, 2011 and 2004.
After making the turn at even-par 35 and falling to one-over through 12 holes, Sowards unleashed the game that has enabled him to win the last three Senior Open titles.
It began with an eagle on the 478-yard 13th hole when he rolled in a 50-foot putt. Three straight pars followed before he closed with birdies on the final two holes. He two-putted for birdie on the 506-yard 17th and made a 10-foot putt on 18.
ROUND 1 RESULTS: Northern Ohio PGA
2022 Michelob Ultra Ohio Senior Open
Firestone Country Club Fazio Course, Akron – Par 70
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
1 Bob Sowards Dublin, OH 35-32–67 -3
T2 Tony Adcock Canton, OH 35-34–69 -1
T2 Mitchell Camp Aurora, OH 35-34–69 -1
T2 Howard Clendenin (a) Fairlawn, OH 33-36–69 -1
T2 Dennis Miller Youngstown, OH 36-33–69 -1
T2 Rob Moss Broadview Heights, OH 37-32–69 -1
T2 Scott Pollack Chagrin Falls, OH 36-33–69 -1
T2 Daniel Terry Wadsworth, OH 35-34–69 -1
T2 Harold Wallace McDermott, OH 37-32–69 -1
T10 Sam Arnold Cincinnati, OH 37-33–70 E
T10 Michael Kelley (a) Westerville, OH 37-33–70 E
T10 Mike Stone Perrysburg, OH 34-36–70 E
T10 Mike Thomas Loveland, OH 35-35–70 E
T14 Chris Black Lancaster, OH 37-34–71 +1
T14 Garrett Frank (a) Youngstown, OH 34-37–71 +1
T14 Monty Guest (a) Solon, OH 36-35–71 +1
T14 Ken Kinkopf (a) Dublin, OH 35-36–71 +1
T14 Stephen Mayes (a) Westerville, OH 38-33–71 +1
T14 Gary Rusnak Painesville, OH 36-35–71 +1
T14 Chad Scott (a) Mansfield, OH 35-36–71 +1
T21 Dan Belden (a) Massillon, OH 37-35–72 +2
T21 Mike Kaido Zanesville, OH 35-37–72 +2
T21 Michael Riley (a) Akron, OH 36-36–72 +2
T21 Kevin Sullivan Painesville, OH 35-37–72 +2
T21 Gary Trivisonno Aurora, OH 37-35–72 +2
T21 Tom Waitrovich Westlake, Ohio 34-38–72 +2
T27 Mike Bauman (a) Galena, OH 37-36–73 +3
T27 John Connelly Perrysburg, OH 37-36–73 +3
T27 Joe Podolski (a) Worthington, OH 39-34–73 +3
T27 Rick Towle Columbus, OH 37-36–73 +3
T31 Tom Atchison Silver Lake, OH 37-37–74 +4
T31 Jay Davis (a) St Clairsville, OH 38-36–74 +4
T31 Craig Goldsberry Lewis Center, OH 39-35–74 +4
T31 Jeff Harper (a) Coolville, OH 38-36–74 +4
T31 Mike Haynes (a) Gallipolis, OH 38-36–74 +4
T31 Robert Koch Medina, OH 40-34–74 +4
T31 Kurt Peterson (a) Massillon, OH 38-36–74 +4
T31 Andy Santor Youngstown, Ohio 38-36–74 +4
T31 Thomas Skidmore (a) Akron, OH 37-37–74 +4
T31 Robert Spino (a) New Franklin, OH 41-33–74 +4
T31 Bob Stephens Springboro, OH 37-37–74 +4
T31 Michael Thomas (a) Wintersville, OH 36-38–74 +4
T43 David Dinan Akron, OH 37-38–75 +5
T43 Jeff Kovalchik (a) Columbus, OH 37-38–75 +5
T43 Steve Parker Akron, OH 37-38–75 +5
T43 Darrin Vaughan Bolivar, OH 38-37–75 +5
T47 Matt Grobe Proctorville, OH 36-40–76 +6
T47 Larry King Cincinnati, OH 38-38–76 +6
T47 Michael McCarthy (a) Toledo, OH 38-38–76 +6
T47 Jeff Thrams (a) North Canton, OH 39-37–76 +6
T51 Brian Beebe (a) Uniontown, OH 40-37–77 +7
T51 Lloyd Faulkner Cincinnati, OH 42-35–77 +7
T51 Jon Jones Warren, OH 38-39–77 +7
T51 Derek Kesig (a) Delaware, OH 38-39–77 +7
T51 Eric Morgan Sandusky, OH 39-38–77 +7
T51 Russell Papa Aurora, OH 37-40–77 +7
T51 Jeff Semple (a) Canton, OH 39-38–77 +7
T58 Troy Boswell (a) Reynoldsburg, OH 38-40–78 +8
T58 Aaron Crewse (a) Akron, OH 39-39–78 +8
T58 Mark Kontak (a) Toledo, OH 40-38–78 +8
T58 Chris Sabo (a) Akron, OH 37-41–78 +8
T58 Mark Telerico (a) Aurora, OH 41-37–78 +8
T58 Brian Vincelette (a) Wadsworth, OH 40-38–78 +8
T64 Gregory Bishop (a) New Franklin, OH 43-36–79 +9
T64 Peter Butler (a) Medina, OH 40-39–79 +9
T64 Daniel Schlimm (a) Seville, OH 39-40–79 +9
T64 Dan Sutton Toledo, OH 40-39–79 +9
T68 Dave Antill (a) Dublin, OH 39-41–80 +10
T68 Roy Fankhauser (a) Avon, OH 41-39–80 +10
T68 Martin Howarth (a) Steubenville, OH 42-38–80 +10
T68 Daniel Vosel (a) Cincinnati, OH 39-41–80 +10
T68 Mark Warden (a) Vincent, OH 42-38–80 +10
T73 Ryan Bowen (a) Cedarville, OH 40-41–81 +11
T73 Brad Stewart (a) Doylestown, OH 41-40–81 +11
T75 Justin Long Ravenna, OH 40-42–82 +12
T75 Robert Schustrich (a) Windham, OH 41-41–82 +12
T77 Jack Pawelkoski Dayton, OH 46-38–84 +14
T77 Ronald Salerno (a) Broadview Hts, OH 41-43–84 +14
T77 Roger Tolley (a) Willard, OH 40-44–84 +14
T77 John Toth (a) Akron, OH 42-42–84 +14
81 Ross Keen Auburn Twp, OH 45-44–89 +19
82 Chris Helaney (a) Lakewood, OH 46-46–92 +22
Super Plus Division
1 Edward Steiber (a) Cincinnati, OH 35-33–68 -2
T2 Scott Perry (a) Lowell, OH 37-34–71 +1
T2 Brad Zeitner Lewis Center, OH 34-37–71 +1
4 Mark Borlin (a) Stow, OH 36-36–72 +2
T5 Mike Cassell (a) Hudson, OH 36-37–73 +3
T5 Philip Russo (a) Cincinnati, OH 39-34–73 +3
T5 Scott Spence Sunbury, OH 35-38–73 +3
T5 Terry Tyson (a) Perrysburg, OH 36-37–73 +3
T9 G.M. Bingman (a) Medina, OH 40-34–74 +4
T9 Michael Hochschwender (a) Akron, OH 36-38–74 +4
T9 Larry Lahnan (a) Aurora, OH 38-36–74 +4
T9 Nick Lambos (a) Canton, OH 34-40–74 +4
T9 Raul Mendoza (a) North Lawrence, OH 36-38–74 +4
14 Jeff Sparks (a) Cincinnati, OH 38-37–75 +5
T15 Mark Ciccarello (a) South Euclid, OH 38-38–76 +6
T15 Walt Robertson Cleveland, OH 39-37–76 +6
T17 Randy Crider (a) Brunswick, OH 39-38–77 +7
T17 John Jewell (a) Centerville, OH 38-39–77 +7
T17 Randy Reifers (a) Milford, OH 39-38–77 +7
T17 John Rodney (a) Kettering, OH 37-40–77 +7
T21 Mark Boothby (a) Cincinnati, OH 38-40–78 +8
T21 Ray McNiece (a) Cleveland, OH 39-39–78 +8
T21 Michael Ross (a) Hinckley, OH 35-43–78 +8
T24 William Downing (a) Akron, OH 38-42–80 +10
T24 Jim Groh (a) Hinckley, OH 41-39–80 +10
T24 Theo Grubb Milford, OH 40-40–80 +10
T24 Robert McMurry (a) Dayton, OH 41-39–80 +10
T24 Blake Smith Canfield, OH 39-41–80 +10
T24 Mark Thomas (a) Jackson Twp, OH 38-42–80 +10
30 Tim Heavner (a) Alliance, OH 42-39–81 +11
T31 David Clarke (a) Saint Clairsville, OH 40-42–82 +12
T31 Steven Shaw Seven Hills, OH 42-40–82 +12
T33 Raymond Najda (a) Olmsted Township, OH 41-43–84 +14
T33 Ron Rositani (a) Willowick, OH 41-43–84 +14
35 Jeff Myers Poland, Ohio 49-39–88 +18
RD 2 STARTING TIMES: Thu June 2
Round 2: Firestone Country Club – Fazio Course 06/02/2022
# Time Name
1 8:00 Ron Rositani (a), Willowick, OH
Jeff Myers, Poland, Ohio, Riverview Golf Course
10 8:00 Ross Keen, Auburn Twp, OH, Windmill Golf Center
Chris Helaney (a), Lakewood, OH
1 8:10 Steven Shaw, Seven Hills, OH, Firestone Country Club
David Clarke (a), Saint Clairsville, OH, Steubenville Country Club
Raymond Najda (a), Olmsted Township, OH, Pine Hills Golf Club
10 8:10 Jack Pawelkoski, Dayton, OH
John Toth (a), Akron, OH, Fox Den Golf Course
1 8:20 Blake Smith, Canfield, OH
Robert McMurry (a), Dayton, OH
Tim Heavner (a), Alliance, OH
10 8:20 Robert Schustrich (a), Windham, OH
Ronald Salerno (a), Broadview Hts, OH
Roger Tolley (a), Willard, OH
1 8:30 Jim Groh (a), Hinckley, OH, Sharon Golf Club
Mark Thomas (a), Jackson Twp, OH, Chippewa Golf Club – Doylestown
Theo Grubb, Milford, OH, Elks Run Golf Club
10 8:30 Ryan Bowen (a), Cedarville, OH
Brad Stewart (a), Doylestown, OH, Chippewa Golf Club – Doylestown
Justin Long, Ravenna, OH, Windmill Lakes Golf Club
1 8:40 Mark Boothby (a), Cincinnati, OH
Ray McNiece (a), Cleveland, OH, Manakiki Golf Course
William Downing (a), Akron, OH, Sharon Golf Club
10 8:40 Martin Howarth (a), Steubenville, OH
Roy Fankhauser (a), Avon, OH, Elyria Country Club
Dave Antill (a), Dublin, OH
1 8:50 John Rodney (a), Kettering, OH
John Jewell (a), Centerville, OH
Michael Ross (a), Hinckley, OH, Mallard Creek Golf Club – The Woods Course (#1-18)
10 8:50 Dan Sutton, Toledo, OH, Heather Downs Country Club
Daniel Vosel (a), Cincinnati, OH, Elks Run Golf Club
Mark Warden (a), Vincent, OH
1 9:00 Mark Ciccarello (a), South euclid, OH
Randy Crider (a), Brunswick, OH
Randy Reifers (a), Milford, OH
10 9:00 Daniel Schlimm (a), Seville, OH
Gregory Bishop (a), New Franklin, OH
Peter Butler (a), Medina, OH, Weymouth Club
1 9:10 Michael Hochschwender (a), Akron, OH
Jeff Sparks (a), Cincinnati, OH
Walt Robertson, Cleveland, OH
10 9:10 Chris Sabo (a), Akron, OH
Mark Kontak (a), Toledo, OH
Brian Vincelette (a), Wadsworth, OH, Fox Meadow Country Club
1 9:20 Raul Mendoza (a), North Lawrence, OH
Nick Lambos (a), Canton, OH
G.M. Bingman (a), Medina, OH
10 9:20 Troy Boswell (a), Reynoldsburg, OH
Mark Telerico (a), Aurora, OH, Barrington Golf Club
Aaron Crewse (a), Akron, OH
1 9:30 Philip Russo (a), Cincinnati, OH, The Golf Club at Stonelick Hills
Terry Tyson (a), Perrysburg, OH, Northern Ohio Golf Association
Larry Lahnan (a), Aurora, OH, Club Walden
10 9:30 Russell Papa, Aurora, OH, Club Walden
Derek Kesig (a), Delaware, OH
Eric Morgan, Sandusky, OH, Plum Brook Country Club
1 9:40 Mark Borlin (a), Stow, OH, Silver Lake Country Club
Scott Spence, Sunbury, OH
Mike Cassell (a), Hudson, OH, The Country Club of Hudson
10 9:40 Brian Beebe (a), Uniontown, OH, Ohio Prestwick Country Club
Jon Jones, Warren, OH, Youngstown Country Club
Jeff Semple (a), Canton, OH, Firestone Country Club
1 9:50 Edward Steiber (a), Cincinnati, OH, Miami View Golf Club
Brad Zeitner, Lewis Center, OH
Scott Perry (a), Lowell, OH
10 9:50 Michael McCarthy (a), Toledo, OH, Heather Downs Country Club
Larry King, Cincinnati, OH
Lloyd Faulkner, Cincinnati, OH
1 12:30 Dan Belden (a), Massillon, OH
Kevin Sullivan, Painesville, OH, GolfTEC – Brecksville
Tom Waitrovich, Westlake, Ohio, PGA Of America Life Member
10 12:30 Jeff Kovalchik (a), Columbus, OH
Matt Grobe, Proctorville, OH
Jeff Thrams (a), North Canton, OH, Shady Hollow Country Club
1 12:40 Chris Black, Lancaster, OH
Monty Guest (a), Solon, OH, Barrington Golf Club
Mike Kaido, Zanesville, OH
10 12:40 Darrin Vaughan, Bolivar, OH
Steve Parker, Akron, OH, Portage Country Club
David Dinan, Akron, OH, Windmill Golf Center
1 12:50 Garrett Frank (a), Youngstown, OH
Chad Scott (a), Mansfield, OH, Westbrook Country Club
Ken Kinkopf (a), Dublin, OH
10 12:50 Andy Santor, Youngstown, Ohio, Trumbull Country Club
Kurt Peterson (a), Massillon, OH
Mike Haynes (a), Gallipolis, OH
1 1:00 Mike Stone, Perrysburg, OH, Belmont Country Club
Stephen Mayes (a), Westerville, OH
Gary Rusnak, Painesville, OH, 1899 Golf – Cle East
10 1:00 Robert Spino (a), New Franklin, OH, Ohio Prestwick Country Club
Bob Stephens, Springboro, OH
Robert Koch, Medina, OH
1 1:10 Mike Thomas, Loveland, OH
Sam Arnold, Cincinnati, OH
Michael Kelley (a), Westerville, OH
10 1:10 Jeff Harper (a), Coolville, OH
Jay Davis (a), St Clairsville, OH, Steubenville Country Club
Craig Goldsberry, Lewis Center, OH, Bent Tree Golf Club
1 1:20 Rob Moss, Broadview Heights, OH, Pepper Pike Club
Mitchell Camp, Aurora, OH, Club Walden
Dennis Miller, Youngstown, OH, PGA Of America Life Member
10 1:20 Michael Thomas (a), Wintersville, OH, Steubenville Country Club
Thomas Skidmore (a), Akron, OH, Weymouth Club
Tom Atchison, Silver Lake, OH, PGA Of America Life Member
1 1:30 Tony Adcock, Canton, OH, Seven Hills Country Club
Howard Clendenin (a), Fairlawn, OH, Firestone Country Club
Daniel Terry, Wadsworth, OH, Chippewa Golf Club
10 1:30 Joe Podolski (a), Worthington, OH
John Connelly, Perrysburg, OH, Dick’s Sporting Goods
Rick Towle, Columbus, OH
1 1:40 Bob Sowards, Dublin, OH
Harold Wallace, McDermott, OH
Scott Pollack, Chagrin Falls, OH, 1899 Golf – Cle East
10 1:40 Gary Trivisonno, Aurora, OH, PGA Of America Life Member
Michael Riley (a), Akron, OH, Fairlawn Country Club
Mike Bauman (a), Galena, OH, Bent Tree Golf Club