Like many events nationwide, the newly renamed Cleveland Junior Open has hit a rocky financial road and its future beyond next week is uncertain.
Kent State's John Hahn led local qualifying for next month's U.S. Public Links tournament in Greensboro, N.C.• Hole of the week
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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's the same American Junior Golf Association event, played at the same venue, but with a new name.
The Cleveland Junior Open, formerly known as the SAP Junior Open, will take place next week at Red Tail Golf Club in Avon. Like many events nationwide, the Red Tail event has hit a rocky financial road and its future beyond next week is uncertain.
The biggest hurdle is landing a title sponsor, which can cost $35,000 per year for three years. SAP withdrew after last year's event.
"I don't want to say we are in jeopardy, but it's all reliant upon landing a title sponsor," said tournament founder and chairman Tom Kmiecik. "And that can be difficult, especially in these tough economic times."
Kmiecik vowed not to give up on trying to lure a new sponsor.
"We'll just have to dig deeper, that's all," he said.
Medical Mutual of Ohio and Wal-Mart have signed on as tournament partners, but their input is well short of the cost of being a title sponsor.
The 54-hole event for boys and girls between the ages of 12-18, will run Tuesday through Thursday. It will have a field of 120 (90 boys and 30 girls) from 15 states and six countries. The field will be cut after 36 holes. Defending champions Patrick Rodgers (Avon, Ind.) and Emma Talley (Princeton, Ky.) will not defend their titles.
Taking over: Dante D'Andrea has been promoted to golf operations coordinator at municipally-owned Good Park Golf Course in Akron following the death of Dave Barnes last month. It has been a difficult transition for D'Andrea, 37, who has been employed by the city for the last eight years as an assistant at Mud Run. D'Andrea, a 1991 graduate of St. Vincent-St. Mary, was a pallbearer at Barnes' funeral.
"I saw Dave practically every day for the last eight years," said D'Andrea, who also will oversee the operations at Mud Run. "He was one of the best men I've ever known and a close friend. I never, ever dreamed that I would be in this position under these circumstances."
Warren Lynum Jr., who had been an assistant at Good Park, moves over to Mud Run.
Not missing Links: Kent State's John Hahn, building on a superb season, and reigning NAIA national champion Justin Lower of Malone College were the top two scorers in the USGA's Amateur Public Links qualifying tournament Monday at Pine Hills in Hinckley. Both men advance to the national tournament at Bryan Park Golf and Conference Center in Greensboro, N.C., July 12-17.
Hahn, who finished sixth in the NCAA nationals last month, was medallist with rounds of 69-68 for a 7-under 137. Lower, who won his national title last month at the TPC Deere Run course in Silvis, Ill., was two shots back. The winner of the tournament earns an invitation to next year's Masters.
Good showing: The Northern Ohio PGA will be well represented next week at the PGA Professional National Championship (previously known as the Club Pro Championship) at the French Lick (Ind.) Resort and Casino. Nine players from the section will compete, led by Westwood's Todd Lancaster, who tied for eighth last year and is exempt. Other qualifiers are Rob Moss (Pepper Pike), 2009 NOPGA player of the year Jaysen Hansen (Inverness), David Engram (Barrington), Steve Parker (Firestone), Mitch Flemming (GolfTec), Dennis Miller (Mill Creek), Ron DeJacimo (Alliance) and Jon Jones (Youngstown Country Club).
Moving on: Shaker Heights' Andrew Bieber and Medina's Austin Schreiber will play in the USGA's Junior Amateur after posting the top two scores in the sectional qualifier on Monday at The Country Club. Bieber, a sophomore at Gilmour Academy, was the medallist (73-77 for an 8-over 150). Schreiber was second at 75-77. They advance to Junior Amateur at Egypt Valley Country Club, in Ada, Mich., July 18-24.
A worthy play: Emerald Woods' 45 holes in Columbia Station will host "A day to play for Charity" on July 3 to help various charities throughout the area. Highlighted will be a Battle of the Bars -- a four-man scramble sponsored by area watering holes -- and a putting contest. All entry fees will be donated to a charity chosen by the winning team. A round of golf will be $5 on the nine-hole course, with every greens fee donated to Father Bob Sanson's Children of El Salvador charity.
Participants also can save $5 on a nine or 18-hole greens fee on any of the other courses when donating two non-perishable food items to the West Side Catholic Center. Fees from the putting contest will benefit the USO of Northern Ohio. Call 440-236-8940.