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 Malarky | 83 |
| Julia Van Bokkelen | 86 |
| Willa Streeter | 97 |
| Izzy Streeter | 119 |
| Lily Dluzynski | 124 |
Men’s B Division
| Brad Zahar | 87 |
| Doug Benzel | 93 |
| Kevin Collins | 97 |
| Matt Najdovski | 104 |
| Jarrod Shelton | 105 |
| Kevin Van Bokkelen | 110 |
Men’s A Division
| Luke Chluda | 77 |
| Cole Chluda | 79 |
| Joe Welsch | 81 |
| Bobby Bolin | 83 |
| Devin Cunningham | 85 |
| Gil Van Bokkelen | 85 |
| Jackson Choi | 87 |
| Fangming Du | 89 |
| Michael Martin | 99 |
| Ryan Sopko | 109 |
Ohio High School Golf 