Uniontown – Kyle Smith was still hunting when the Stark County Amateur Golf Championship Arrived in his own backyard.
This time, no one was able to track down the former player from the Green Lycée.
Smith fired 2 under 70 in the last round to win his first austere amateur title on Sunday July 21 at the Ohio Prestwick County Club. He finished the event from two days to 8 under four shots in advance on the field.
How far has Smith took victory in the past? He was a finalist of the triple winner Maxwell Moldovan in 2021 and Gunnar McCollins in 2023.
“The first time I arrived second, I was not too crazy,” said Smith. “Max Moldovan ended up winning, and it’s a bit difficult to beat him. Two years ago, I lost against Gunnar by one. I stuck my last hole, I missed a footer.
“Since then, I had a chip on my shoulder, trying to come back and win this event every year. It’s great to finally be able to do it.”
Four birdies in a six -hole section helped make Smith’s growing advances almost insurmountable. He once again forced 18 during the final round this year. This time it didn’t matter.
“Being able to play here all the time, familiarity was enormous,” said Smith. “It didn’t really feel me as much as a tournament for me. I felt like I was playing Prestwick again.
“I struck a lot of green vegetables, I didn’t do a lot of bogeys. I was just trying to limit the amount of shots that took place. I was able to do a few tokens in the first round, which helped, and I just made a lot of pars today to make the way to the house.”
Smith drew 66 years in the first round to take a lead of four shots. It was a small cushion that always guaranteed anything, especially after what happened in 2023.
“I had a fairly big advance and I ended up losing,” said Smith. “I knew in a way to play with that this year. I just tried to take a good start, to do a lot of pars, to hit a lot of green vegetables and to play my own golf course.”
Ryan Sam fired 69 in the final to finish second with 4 under four shots behind Smith. Caden Scarbrough and Lucas Liberatore equaled the third at 3 sous.
Smith will return to Xavier University in a few weeks to start his second season with the Muskateers. He has an average of 72.7 in six tournaments and experienced two TOP-10, including a second at the Xavier Invitational.
“It’s always a large learning curve playing university golf course,” said Smith. “I grew up a lot as a player. I turned much better towards the course, learning when going for the pins and when I do not do it. I am delighted to come back there and compete in the DI level.”
Emily Liptak wins the second consecutive amateur female championship
Emily Liptak helped make a clean green scan earlier during the day. The graduate in 2022 took command in the first round and won her second female consecutive title lover of 11 shots. She finished at 5.
“I just returned from vacation, so I hoped that I could collect everything before I come back here,” said Liptak. “Playing during the summer certainly helped me prepare.”
It was the third year that women played in the amateur Stark. Tournament officials hope that the fields will continue to grow.
Liptak was one of the four players who participated in the championship division. Four other women played in the 50 year and over division.
“It’s exciting to come back and resume the tournament,” said Liptak. “I hope they will continue to do so.
“I know it’s a small area, but for me, I know the other girls. It’s just fun to play with your friends because they are people with whom you played in high school.”
Liptak will soon start its second university season in Akron. It was transferred to zips after two seasons in Walsh and has an average of 79.7 in 10 tournaments.
“It’s definitely a big leap,” said Liptak. “We played a lot of harder lessons and a better competition. I was so happy to be there and take everything.”
Alison Cress won the female division of 50 years and over in an equality break. She beat Gail Hackett on the first hole in the playoffs.
Howard Clendenin, Tom LAUBACHER, Jim Herchek are winning other Stark Amateurs divisions
Howard Clendenin won the 50-59 male division by two shots on Dave Oates. Clendenin finished 4 sous.
Tom Laubacher dominated the male 60-69 division even at the peer. He finished two shots in front of Jeff Semple.jim herchek took the 70th and over division at 6. He finished three shots in front of Paul thirty.
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