Alex Conley and Matt Morrone were Greatest champions in 2023 — capturing titles in the u14 girls and boys divisions.
This year — they graduate to the u17 division and they positioned themselves for another title run with wins at the ‘Joe’ Dickey Electric juniors qualifier Thursday at Salem Hills Golf Club.
Conley, of Canfield, shot an 83 to outlast Megan Manesiotis (87) of Pittsburgh and Taylor Blazek (89) of Southeast in the u17 Girls Lane Funeral Home division.
“The key to the day was staying hydrated throughout the round, since it was so hot I needed to keep up with my water intake. I was feeling really good overall,” said Conley. “I stuck with the basics of golf and just played. Some key moments throughout the day was starting with 4 pars and then my birdie on 9. It really made my round better.”
Her win was just off a team camp at Ashland University and also bolstered by 8 teammates in the Greatest event.
Morrone won the u17 Boys Coaches Burger division — outlasting Bristol’s Diesel Williams (72), Badger’s Austin Mariani (73) and Canfield’s Danny Chaplow (74).
“I just putting my drives in spots to have good looks at the green, get on for two-putt pars, and maybe sneak some putts in — which i did twice,” said Morrone. “I saved par with a 20-foot putt on 2 – which was a huge momentum shifter.”
In Boys u14 Morrone Mechanical division play, Peyton McCune’s 88 was one better than Camryn Sallee’s 89. In Girls u14 Ambrose Family Eye Care play, Bobbi Woods shot a 97 for the win.
The Greatest juniors series, presented also by Youngstown Tile Retail Design Center and Phantom Fireworks, features 10 events from May 7 to July 20, then a skills championship, followed by a 36-hole finals July 19-20 at Avalon Lakes. Event costs range from $45-$65, and there is no seasonal membership fee. It’s Ohio and Pennsylvania’s least expensive yet most competitive summer play for high schoolers. The next event is Wednesday, June 19 at Squaw Creek, and two events June 25 at Mill Creek and June 27 at Pine Lakes. Register at TheGreatestGolfer.com.
Here are all the scores:
u17 Boys Coaches Burger
Q-Matthew Morrone 70
Diesel Williams 72
Austin Mariani 73
Danny Chaplow 74
AJ Sandy 75
Ian Tricker 79
Anthony Bako 80
AJ Battaglia 83
Anthony Palumbo 84
Trenton Hall 85
Colten Smith 85
Garrett Brajkovich 86
Finn Thornton 86
Josh Pindilli 87
Alexander Simon 88
Peyton Yorns 88
Landon Schmid 88
Braeden Sallee 88
Blake Unger 91
David Masters 91
Parker Ogden 91
Owen Orlovsky 98
Nicholas Klindworth 98
Gavin Rupert 105
u17 Girls Lane Funeral Home
Q-Alexandra Conley 83
Megan Manesiotis 87
Taylor Blazek 89
Natalie Sawicki 91
Gianna Ross 93
Sophia Covelli 93
Brilea Woods 96
Chloe Leskovac 97
Vianna Miller 98
Jessica Mix 101
Abby Evans 104
Cadence Elford 106
Grace Carrier 108
Mia Tisone 108
Rhyloh Turpack 109
Sophia DiDomenico 137
u14 Morrone Mechanical
Q-Peyton McCune 88
Camryn Sallee 89
Braden Meshula 97
Troy Fry 103
u14 Ambrose Family Eye Care
Q-Bobbi Woods 97
Laney Kleeh 104
Jennifer Mix 108
Anita Murray 115