The Northeast Ohio golf community lost another good man on Monday when long-time pro Deon Good died after a series of illnesses.
Former and current U.S. military personnel and their families will have free access to Firestone for next month's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in an announcement made recently.• Shaw's video tip: Use those legs | NE Ohio event listings
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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Northeast Ohio golf community lost another good man on Monday when long-time pro Deon Good died after a series of illnesses.
"I knew Deon for 30 years and he was one of the nicest men I've ever met," said Barberton Brookside owner Joe Flogge, who played with Good in many Northern Ohio PGA events. "I never heard him say a bad word about anyone."
Good, 62, began his professional career in 1971 at Sleepy Hollow in Alliance, but also worked at Mid-Pines Golf and Learning Center in Solon and was the head professional at the Pepper Pike Club from 2000-08.
However, he was well-known for his performance in winning the 1974 Ohio Open at Oak Harbor after undergoing one of the first open-heart surgeries at the Cleveland Clinic two years earlier. He also won the 1991 Northern Ohio PGA section championship at Firestone and was a two-time winner of the Tiger Town Open (1974, 1982).
Great gesture: World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational tournament officials have developed a ticket policy that will enable former and current military personnel and their families to gain free admission to the event at Firestone Country Club, Aug. 5-8. Courtesy of Lockheed Martin, all active duty, retired and reserve military personnel and their dependents with valid IDs will be admitted free. This offer applies to competitive and non-competitive days.
"This is the best way we know to thank our men and women in uniform for the sacrifices they have made and continue to make," said Donald Padgett III, executive director of the tournament.
Tickets can be obtained by going to bridgestoneinvitational.com and clicking on "tickets." Scroll to the section labeled "military tickets" and enter the promo code "GOLF" to print the tickets at home. A valid military ID will also be needed to gain admission.
Birdies the books: Kent State All-American John Hahn was one of 119 players in Division I to earn Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar honors from the Golf Coaches Association of America. It marks the fifth time in program history that a KSU player has been named to both the All-America team and an All-America Scholar in the same season.
Hahn, a former Hudson standout, posted a career-low 71.98 scoring average and earned six top-10 finishes, including a tie for sixth in the NCAA Championship that equaled the KSU record for best individual finish.
Remembering Barnsey: Organizers of the Summit County Amateur, which will be played for the 36th time July 31-Aug. 1 at J. Edward Good Park, have decided to rename the tournament in the memory of former Good Park and Mud Run general manager Dave (Barnsey) Barnes, who passed away in June following a short illness. The 36-hole event is accepting applications but the field will be limited to 168 players. Call 330-864-0020.
Splitsville: The teams of Dave Oates and Mike Simpson and Danny Marr and Dave Trier shot a 6-under 65 at Chippewa Golf Club to share the championship in the Akron District Golf Association's Lazor 2-Man Better Ball tournament on Saturday. Long-time pals Rick Bryson and Rick Merrow won the senior division with a 4-under 67.
More time: The Northern Ohio PGA has extended the deadline for the Ohio Open, to be played at Quail Hollow July 19-21, through Wednesday. Call 216-765-1214.
Nice payday: The 59th Tiger Town Open, regarded as the "richest one-day tournament in Ohio," takes place Friday at the Elms Country Club in Massillon. First prize in the Open Pro Division is $5,000. Former Parma resident Jack Ferenz won the event last year.