About Us - The Greatest Golfer

The Then & Now of The Greatest Golfer

The story of The Greatest Golfer turns, rolls and shines like the best golf holes in America. Founded in Youngstown, Ohio in 2010, it was a partnership of the local newspaper, The Vindicator, and several key initial partners, namely Mill Creek Golf Course, The Lake Club, Farmers National Bank and businessman Ed Muransky.

The event started as a golf holes feature for 18 weeks in 2010. An idea was hatched to have a 54-hole tournament at the end of the summer. And 14 years alter, we still grow.

At the helm since the start have been Todd Franko and Ted Suffolk. They are joined today by Julie and Ron Merrell, Mitch Franko, Kate Brown, Jim Phillips and Mike Watson.

Greatest Golfer now operates as an independent golf content and competition business since the 2019 closure of The Vindicator. Most of the core team above is still in place after 14 years.

Along the way, many great golf voices and places have helped steer the event — too many to name and too easy to get in trouble for not naming them. But screw it — here are some of the names: Mike Ferranti, Jonah Karzmer, Brian Tolnar, Stacie Butler, Don Confoey, Chris Bellino, Adam Schuster, Cory Pagliarini, John Kerins and Chris Carfangia.

Greatest today is many events. The 54-hole signature adult tourney hosted by Farmers National Bank started as 97 players and has been more than 320 players annually since 2020.

Greatest added the ‘Joe’ Dickey Electric juniors championship that plays June and July. The 10 qualifiers each draw 70+ players ages 12-18. The top 48 players compete in the championship at Avalon Golf and Country Club.

In 2014, the Morgan Stanley Greatest Long Drive / Par 3 Championship was created at Tippecanoe Country Club.

The Inspira Health Group Greatest Day of Golf marathon has raised $60,000 for Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown.

Youngstown, Ohio is the home of Greatest Golfer.

New things are always in the works. Stay tuned. That’s been the DNA of Greatest since its start in 2010.