With the largest field in the eight-year history of the Portage County Kids Am competing, 48 youth golfers took over holes 19-to-27 at Sunny Hill Golf Course on Sunday afternoon.
The event is unique with junior golfers playing four, six or nine holes as volunteer high school golfers from five Portage County schools walked with the youths to help them with scoring, spotting the ball and basic rules including etiquette.
Parents follow the youths, encouraging them every step. It is the very first tournament for many of the juniors ranging in age from grades three and under through grade nine.
The emphasis for the golfers is having fun and learning a game they will be able to play for life.
Medals are awarded to the first-place score in every division with all junior golfers receiving certificates. Juniors assemble for group photos at the end, encouraging the camaraderie that the sport offers everyone.
Medalists and competitors included:
BOYS GRADES 8-9: James Morgan, North Benton 37; Alexander Peelish, Ravenna 42; Andrew Byron, Tallmadge 43; Jesse Ambrose, Tallmadge 43; Ryan Woolf, Rootstown 47; Jack Flynn, Kent 48; Deacon Smith, Kent 48; Dakota Powers, Mantua 53.
GIRLS GRADES 8-9: McKenna Kiewatt, Hudson 46; Coco Golden, Kent 55; Hallie McKendry, Kent 55; Jessica Mix, Diamond 56; Anna Drago, Atwater 59; Adrianna Sloan, Palmyra 59; Aubree Varga, Edinburg 59; Kate Ennemosser, Kent 60; Rachael Bresky, Edinburg 62; Alex Biggen 62; Elizabeth Adkins, Ravenna 65.
BOYS GRADES 6-7: Jax Turner, Kent 38; Drew Just, Rootstown 49; Declan Thomas, Mansfield 49; Nathan Waesch, Rootstown 52; Aidan Battaglia, Rootstown 66.
GIRLS GRADES 6-7: Jenni Mix, Diamond 43; Samantha Morgan, North Benton 43; Jillian Smith, Kent 55; Brooke Beatty, Stow 57; Colbie Kruger, Kent 61; Mia Pipoly, Kent 66.
BOYS GRADES 4-5: Mason Dillon, Rootstown 29; Conner Roslan, Ravenna 36; Andrew Duvall, Ravenna 37.
GIRLS GRADES 4-5: Elizabeth Jia, Hudson 31; Ryan Waesch, Rootstown 33; Mallory Carter, Kent 40; Tatum Wolf, Kent 41; Rosalina Chavez, Kent 43; Madison McCrady, Stow 46.
BOYS GRADES 3 AND UNDER: Bo Birchak, Lake Milton 22; Walter Asher, Uniontown 28; Gerren Waesch, Rootstown 29.
