2026 Boys Division 3 Previews

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A huge thank you to the many coaches who took the time to send in their team information!

Black River Pirates

Coach- Bill Thomas
Conference- Lorain County Conference
Home Course- Mud Run Golf Course / Carlisle Golf Course
Team Website

Returning Players
Wade Mangin- 11th
Zane Kristophel- 12th
Landyn Herrick- 12th
Caroline Maat- 11th

Potential New Contributors
Connor Rhein- 12th
Josh Stuart- 11th
Jaxon Brewer- 12th
Skylar Kristophel- 9th
Tyler Roberts- 9th

Coach Comments- This will be my first year here with the coed Pirates. We will be young and inexperienced for the most part, but hoping we will improve each week and experience some success as the season goes on. We have added more matches this year than in the past so hopefully they will learn and have fun playing some new courses throughout the season.

Cardinal Huskies

Coach- Mike Topalian
Conference- Northeastern Athletic Conference
Home Course- Pleasant Hill
Facebook- cardinal.huskies.golf
X- @CardinalHSGolf
Last Year’s Results- NAC – 2nd

Returning Players
Evan Jones- 12th
Jackson Plonske- 12th
Kannon Strever- 11th

Potential New Contributors
Gage Wagamon- 11th
Mason Nevins- 10th
Jaxon Strever- 9th

Coach Comments- The Huskies will look to rebuild quickly after losing 3 of the top 5 players from last year. A team full of travel baseball players will have to switch mindsets right away to start the season on a positive note.

Columbiana Clippers

Coach- Bob Hall
Conference- Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference
Home Course- Valley Golf Course
Last Year’s Results- League Champions 2nd in sectionals 5th in district

Returning Players
Luke Struharik- 10th
Roman Sanfrey- 10th
Nolan Clark- 10th
Jamison Neil- 10th
Preston Lawton- 11th
Geoffrey Malcomson- 12th
Trenton Hall- 12th
David Masters- 12th
Nick Klindworth- 12th
Troy Fry- 12th
Oliver Cuff- 12th
Alex Mascher- 12th

Coach Comments- Hope to repeat as league champs & with returning letterman goal is to advance farther in Sectionals & Districts

East Canton Hornets

Coach- Alan Petroli II
Conference- Inter Valley Conference
Home Course- Clearview
Last Year’s Results- 4th in IVC north, 14th at Stark County Invitational.

Returning Players
Jayce Pocock- 12th
Alex Croston- 12th
Kenneth Ford Jr- 11th
Dylan Lint- 11th
Nathan Schen- 11th

Potential New Contributors
Dominick Sierzant- 12th
Logan Fenderson- 12th

Coach Comments- As this team has matured, they have grown closer both on and off the course. Several golfers have taken their games to the next level, and we expect big accomplishments from the core of this talented squad. Competing on a historic course has helped shape these young men into smarter golfers, improving both their course management and shot selection.
With a strong group of returning varsity players—including N. Schen, K. Ford, D. Lint, A. Croston, and J. Pocock—the foundation of this team is built on experience and dedication. These players have put in significant work during the offseason, continually pushing themselves to improve and elevate their performance. In addition, a talented group of potential varsity contributors, including D. Sierzant, L. Henderson, C. Moore, X. Dougherty, J. Hendricks, and L. Moore, are ready to take the next step and make an impact. With a blend of experienced leadership and emerging talent, East Canton Golf is poised to make some noise this season and compete at a high level.

Lake Center Christian Tigers

Coach- Doug Byler
Conference- Independent
Home Course- Sable Creek GC
Team Website
Last Year’s Results- 5-5 2025 Jacob Ranieri State Qualifier finished 6th

Returning Players
Jacob Rainieri- 12th
Mazon Pizor- 12th
Gabe Donatelli- 11th
Andrew Fogle- 11th
Parker Briggs- 11th

Potential New Contributors
Cole Bryte- 9th
Brody Zook- 12th
Caleb Starkey- 12th

McDonald Blue Devils

Coach- Matt Vukovic
Conference- Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference (Scarlet)
Home Course- Mahoning Country Club
Last Year’s Results- 14-2 overall, 13-1 league Co-MVAC Champions, Sectionals- 7th

Returning Players
Zach Booth- 11th
Nick Larson- 11th

Potential New Contributors
Dacota Hickox- 11th
Lucas Morar- 11th
Kiran Jones- 11th
Owen Cappuzzello- 10th

Coach Comments- The Blue Devils will be looking to surprise people after key departures from a senior heavy team last year. The player development seems to be working, but there is very little experience for a team hungry to keep its traditions alive. There will be a lot of golfers put into pressure situations early as they grow throughout the year.

Mineral Ridge Rams

Coach- Nick Flaviano
Conference- Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference
Home Course- Duck Creek Golf Course
Team Website
Last Year’s Results- 4-14

Returning Players
Logan Baylor- 12th
Vinny Simone- 12th
Kyle Ague- 12th
Dominic Balestrino- 11th
Dylan Robbins- 11th
Gavin Kilbane- 10th

Potential New Contributors
Cannon Conaway- 10th
Devin Robinson- 11th
Bradley Wallace- 11th
Sammy Brunton- 11th
Preston Kline- 11th
Dominic Wallace- 9th
Reid Basista- 9th
Logan Dooley- 9th
Holden Paulsey- 9th
Logan Shaffer- 9th
Tanner Garland- 9th
Jeffery Tucker- 9th
Johnny Jackson- 9th

Coach Comments- There are a lot of very athletic individuals coming out for golf this year. The team is led by some excellent upper classman. The sky is the limit for this group of young men this year!

Waterloo Vikings

Coach- Andrew Young
Conference- Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference
Home Course- Paradise Lake
Instagram- @waterloo_golfteam

Returning Players
Trevor Flarida- 11th
Grayson Griffin- 11th
Mason Long- 11th
Jayden Eichler- 10th

Potential New Contributors
Kayne Smith- 11th

Coach Comments- We have a strong core of varsity players who can really make some noise this season if they play up to their potential. It’s a great group of kids who all genuinely love the game. We are all excited to see what the season may bring.

Wellington Dukes

Coach- Tom Guyer Jr
Conference- Lorain County Conference
Home Course- Echo Valley

Returning Players
James Wacker- 11th
Zach Kehl- 11th
Luke Sword- 11th
Calab Hamer- 12th

Potential New Contributors
Hayden Davison- 9th
Joshua Beat- 9th

Coach Comments- Young team that had to grow up after last year. Players have been working hard this off season.

2026 Golden Age Classic Results

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As the sun was setting over Manakiki Golf Course in Willoughby Hills, Ohio, I stood in the parking lot as one of three remaining Golden Age Classic competitors still left at the course. Cole Chluda was texting on his phone and his brother Luke was frantically zooming around the already traversed 18 holes looking for his 56 degree wedge. Little did he know, that it was already waiting for him at the cart barn and he would finally be able to celebrate his victory in style. “Which was more important?” I asked, “The tournament victory or finding your wedge?” Obviously the wedge. “I’m going to need that for Wednesday,” the junior at Hudson High School responded, alluding to the beginning of the high school golf season.

Chluda shot a stellar 77 at the Donald Ross course, two shots ahead of his brother, to win the 3rd annual Golden Age Classic. The course was in immaculate condition and the superintendent apparently knew we were coming. We knew we would be in for a treat when the first hole was tucked three paces on the front right corner of the green. I hit three putts beginning from just off the green on the collar, each putt seemingly longer than the previous. I managed to hold things together and shoot an 83 with no three putts, but it was clear from the beginning of the day that it would not be good enough to win the tournament. Cole Chluda’s 79 was good enough for second while Joe Welsch shot an 81 to finish in 3rd place.

Brad Zahar put together a solid 87, despite a little fizzling at the end, and he was able to capture the B flight championship. Doug Benzel played well all day but left a few too many shots out there as his 93 was good enough for second place while Kevin Collins took third place with a 97. Everyone raved about the conditions of the golf course and the picturesque setting on the finishing green.

In the women’s division, it was Cloverleaf senior superstar Quinn Malarkey taking home the trophy with a really good round of 83. She held off Julia Van Bokkelen, the only veteran of the tournament on the women’s side, by three strokes as they made their way around the historic layout. St. Joseph Academy senior Willa Streeter got off to a rough start but composed herself and finished strong to take third place.

In the end, the tournament isn’t one with a “win at all costs” mindset and the thing I appreciate most about it is that the players take that attitude when they come in. Everyone wants to win but they understand the more important side of the game of golf, and all competitive sports, and that is the desire to get better at what you do, show you are a good person, and compete with dignity, honor, and respect. There is a certain type of person that is drawn to a tournament like this, and I am proud to say that 21 of those people showed up on Sunday, had an amazing time, and left with all the golf clubs they came with.

See you next year!

Women’s Division

Quinn Malarky83
Julia Van Bokkelen86
Willa Streeter97
Izzy Streeter119
Lily Dluzynski124

Men’s B Division

Brad Zahar87
Doug Benzel93
Kevin Collins97
Matt Najdovski104
Jarrod Shelton105
Kevin Van Bokkelen110

Men’s A Division

Luke Chluda77
Cole Chluda79
Joe Welsch81
Bobby Bolin83
Devin Cunningham85
Gil Van Bokkelen85
Jackson Choi87
Fangming Du89
Michael Martin99
Ryan Sopko109

Congratulations to Mary Becker and Marti Hardy

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The 2026 golf season is less than two weeks away and players from all over Northeast Ohio are preparing themselves to try out for their teams. Coaches are making their final preparations to get ready for what they hope is a magical Fall of 2026. Meanwhile, two legendary coaches are navigating life on the other side of high school golf. For the first time in decades, the Northeast Ohio golf scene will not feature Mary Becker or Marti Hardy. Becker started the program at Highland High School and is the only coach the program has ever had. Marti Hardy ends her stellar career at Laurel School as she leaves a very similar situation.

Standout Highland player Isabella Goyette, going into her junior year as a member of the Kent State women’s golf team leaves this message for Coach Becker: “Coach, first of all congrats on an amazing career in Highland Golf!! I am so happy and honored to have had you as my guide in high school. You’ve always inspired and driven me to be my best, which I am forever grateful for.” Goyette continued, “I can’t say I have a favorite memory, but your sandwiches always stood out to me. Thank you for all of the good moments that I will never forget. You truly have built something great for Highland Girls Golf. I am so thankful for all that you did to help me not only grow as a player, but as a person as well. Thank you for everything Coach, and enjoy retirement!! You deserve it!”

Siena Maschke is also going into her junior year as a member of the Denison University women’s golf team. She had several memories to share of “Senora” Hardy, a well-respected Spanish teacher at Laurel. “I would say some of my best memories with Senora are from the State Tournament and her support through my three years at States. Even after I graduated from Laurel, she would still come watch me play for Denison. I keep in touch with her and see her over breaks. She has always been like family to me, and I see her as one of my role models in life. She knows how to live life through a positive lens and lover her job every day.” After that touching tribute, Maschke also added, “She also makes the best carmelita brownies.”

While most readers now are craving brownies, they probably are wondering what the future holds for the Highland and Laurel programs. Chris Kestner at Highland and Zachary Stenger at Laurel will obviously have big shoes to fill. Becker’s greatest accomplishment on the course was sending 12 teams to the State Tournament. Hardy had the opportunity to coach some phenomenal individual stars. Siena Maschke and Jami Morris are the most recent players that made appearances in Columbus to represent Hardy and the Gators.

Marti Hardy will continue to be a fixture in high school golf as she plans to still be involved at the yearly Canterbury Invitational. Mary Becker is still assisting Highland with scheduling and running tournaments. Both coaches will be dearly missed as members of the Northeast Ohio Golf Coaches Association.

The Highland golf team created a video to commemorate Becker’s career which they have graciously shared with us. It can be seen below.

CONGRATULATIONS ON WONDERFUL CAREERS TO MARY BECKER AND MARTI HARDY!

2026 Lake Erie Girls Golf Association Preview

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With the emergence of Girls Golf being added to the Cleveland West Conference, there are several teams that will be playing in both the LEGGA and the CWC. The teams in both will be featured in the CWC Preview post. In the LEGGA, the Keystone Wildcats will be the team to beat. They are one of the top Division 2 teams in the state and are led by one of the best players in the state, junior Sophia Clarico. What the Wildcats have that many Division 2 teams lack though is depth. Seniors Caseabella Fye and Kennedy Accavallo provide that for Keystone and that is the reason that they made the State Tournament last year and are favorites to repeat that journey again this season. The Columbia Raiders have a new head coach, Jacki Daymut, who will look to return Columbia to the place they were in earlier this decade. Wellington is a program that is continuing to build under coach James Feliciano.

Impact Players

Kennedy Accavallo (SR) Keystone
Sophia Clarico (JR) Keystone
Caseabella Fye (SR) Keystone
Hannah Gott (JR) Wellington
Manya Mitta (SR) Columbia
Annamarie Vilchez (JR) Keystone

Freshmen to Watch

Kayla Gereke (Wellington)
Josie Kazmierczak (Wellington)
Abigail Markovic (Columbia)
Evelyn Panigutti (Columbia)
Carly Schramm (Wellington)
Myiah Whitney (Keystone)

Columbia Raiders

Head Coach- Jacki Daymut
Last Year’s Results- 10th at The Pines Sectional

Keystone Wildcats

Head Coach- David Slee
Last Year’s Results- 1st at The Pines Sectional, 1st at Good Park District, 4th at State Tournament, Won the LEGGA Conference
Coach’s Comments- We plan on making another run at States and our conference title

Wellington Dukes

Head Coach- James Feliciano
Last Year’s Results- 12th at The Pines Sectional, Season finish 3-9, Preview Finish Last, Conference Finish Tied 5th

OHSAA Division Changes for 2026

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The Ohio High School Athletic Association has released the Divisional Assignments for the 2026 Fall season. Several Northeast District teams are slated to bump up to Division 1 while one team is moving down to Division 2.

Moving to from Division 2 to Division 1

Edgewood
Elyria Catholic
Lutheran West
Niles McKinley
Orange

Moving from Division 1 to Division 2

St. Vincent-St. Mary

(Thanks to Dirk Hartman for contributing to this article)

Boys Team Needed NEO Co-Ed Classic

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The Northeast Ohio Co-Ed Classic, hosted by Hoover High School, is in need of one boys team to fill out the field. The tournament is Monday, August 10th at 8:30 at Arrowhead Golf Club in North Canton.

Please contact Head Coach Scott Snyder at scott.snyder@northcantonschools.org if you are interested.

Wooster Women’s Summer Showcase at Westfield

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Division III Women’s Summer Showcase Event
@ Westfield Country Club – Wednesday, July 1st

If you are interested in playing golf in college at the Division III level, join us for our inaugural
event. College coaches will be available on the driving range prior to play and on the
course during the event. This event is geared toward 2027 and 2028 High School
Graduates.


Tee Times starting at 8:00 (Sign Up deadline is June 17th)
Cost: $125 (either check or venmo – will reach out prior to June 17th)
– Includes 18 holes of golf, practice facilities prior to event, $20 Gift Card can be used
for lunch, snacks on course, or golf shop.
– Live Scoring
– Interact with college coaches and gain insight and knowledge about their programs
– Awards for medalist and top five scorers (all-tournament team)
-Spectator Carts available ($35)
-Participating Coaches as of March 1st:
– The College of Wooster – John Caroll, Otterbein, & Marietta University

Entry Information: Contact Dave Mottice at dmottice@pga.com / (330) 618-4162
Name: ________________________________________
High School: __________________________________
Email: ______________________ Cell: ________________
Accomplishments:

GPA: ____
Interested area of study in college: __________________________________

Copley High School Boys Golf Coach Position

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Copley High School has an immediate opening for a varsity boys head golf coach.

Have you ever wanted to give back by coaching student-athletes? This may be the perfect opportunity for you!

The high school season runs from early August through mid-October. This is a paid coaching position.

Interested in applying or requesting additional information? Contact athletic director Andy Jalwan at andy.jalwan@copley-fairlawn.org

Beachwood Seeking Boys Golf Coach

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Beachwood Athletics is looking to hire a dedicated Head Boys Golf Coach to lead our program into its next winning chapter! 

Apply today by visiting: beachwoodschools.schoolspring.com

Beachwood has a proud tradition of excellence of golfers. We aren’t just looking for a coach; we’re looking for a mentor and a leader who is passionate about building a championship culture while making sure our student-athletes thrive both on and off the course.

What we’re looking for in our next leader:

  • A Passion for the Game: Someone who truly loves the game of golf and can’t wait to share that enthusiasm with the next generation.
  • A Heart for Student-Athletes: A coach who genuinely enjoys working with high school students and helping them grow as both players and individuals.
  • An Excellent Communicator: Someone who can keep players, parents, and the athletic department on the same page with clear, proactive, and friendly communication.
  • A Talent Developer: Someone who can bridge the gap between young, emerging players and our high-level competitors.
  • A Culture Builder: A coach who fosters a supportive, disciplined, and positive team environment.

The Details:

  • Season: August 1 ends around the first/second week in October (most weekdays after 3pm / some tournaments during the day)
  • The Mission: Joining a program that prioritizes student success in the classroom and in the game.
  • Pay: Based on experience – $5,100 – $5,900

How to Apply:
Visit: beachwoodschools.schoolspring.com

Have questions?
Please feel free to reach out to Ryan at rmp@beachwoodschools.org. 

Cindy Fesemyer Receives OHSGCA SEI Award

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Congratulations to Cindy Fesemyer, the long time Girls Golf Coach at Southeast High School for receiving the Ohio High School Golf Coaches Association Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity Award at the association’s annual banquet on Monday, May 4th. She has built the Southeast program into one of the most competitive teams in Northeast Ohio in Division 2. More importantly, her teams demonstrate all the good that comes with high school golf. Make sure to congratulate Cindy if you see her this season.

Terry Kekic, head coach at Ravenna High School, presented Cindy Fesemyer with the SEI Award

Fundraiser for Berea-Midpark Golfer

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Avery James is a junior at Berea-Midpark High School who is a member of the golf, basketball, and softball team. In 8th grade, she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and her family is concerned that the symptoms of the condition will cause numerous problems as she goes off to college after graduation. They are hoping that they can provide Avery with a service dog to assist her as she makes that transition. Her friends and family are holding a fundraiser on May 30th at Rookies Sports Bar and Grill in Parma Heights.

The cost to attend the event is $30. The menu includes pizza, wings, pasta, salad, and dinner rolls. Drinks are also available. There will be raffles, sideboards, and a 50/50 drawing.

Please respond to bolinr@hudson.k12.oh.us if you would like to attend the event along with us.