It was the last qualifier of the ‘Joe’ Dickey Electric Greatest Golfer juniors season Tuesday, and with a lot of the line for 50+ players, the biggest show of the day was set to be put on by Mother Nature — who cracked, rattled and poured for 75 minutes at Avalon Lakes Golf Course Tuesday.
But defending Boys u17 champ Michael Porter of McDonald High School would one up her.
He went 6-under on the front, and stayed hot through the back until storms struck.
After sitting out the delay with most of the field waiting with him and gasping of his score, Porter returned to a rain-slogged course with a nice gallery and finished what he started — leaving Avalon with a Greatest-record-low 64 shot over the 6,500-yard layout.
“I am so excited. I can’t believe I just shot 64. It’s a miracle,” said the senior-to-be.
He credited great putting and great drives that allowed him perfect looks at pins all day.
His summer has not been so stellar, and he thinks Tuesday’s round sets him up nicely for a good run at repeating.
“I’ve been looking forward to (the championship) all year. So has my brother, who will caddie for me. (He did last year) It will be so exciting regardless of what happens.”
The Boys u17 Joseph Nohra Insurance division had another great feat as Fitch’s Dominic Kapics made his first appearance of the year, and posted low-qualifier round of 75 to earn a spot in the Friday-Saturday finals.
Boardman’s Ryan Sam finished just in front of him at 74. He had already qualified. Canfield’s Connor Daggett was at 77, securing his finals seat based on points for the season.
Girls u17 Magnolias on the Green play was clipped to 9 holes due to weather, and finals-bound players all slugged it out in this tuneup event.
Hickory’s Luciana Masters was 42, Mooney’s Jayne Bernard and Alyssa Rapp finished at 42 and 46, and Canfield’s Jocelyn Zhao was at 43.
The last qualifying seat went to JFK’s Samantha Calderone with a 46.
In Girls u14 Ambrose Family Eye Care play, Miya Cohol of Canfield grabbed the last finals seat with a 52 — just edging out classmate Taylor Morrone.
In Boys u14 Kreps Drywall play, Poland’s Matthew Morrone’s 40 secured his finals seat this weekend.
‘Joe’ Dickey Greatest Golfer is a part of the 12th Annual Farmers National Bank Greatest Golfer championship golf series for amateurs ages 12 to 80.
The Dickey series was 10 events for boys and girls ages 15-17 and 12-14 from May to July at some of the Youngstown area’s top family-owned courses.
The top performers play in the championship Friday and Saturday at Avalon Lakes. Play is free and open to the public.
Play starts at 12:30 Friday at Squaw Creek and Noon Saturday Avalon Lakes. Exact tee times will be published on WFMJ Greatest Page on Thursday.
Championship qualifiers are:
BOYS u17 Joe Nohra Insurance
Chaz Ekoniak, Struthers
Blake Hood, Alliance
Michael Porter, McDonald
Caleb Domitrovich, McDonald
Luke Eyster, Beaver Local
Bryce Van Horn, JFK
Ryan Sam, Boardman
Zack Ross, Moon Twp.,
Nathan Kelly, East Liverpool
Dom Kapics, Fitch
Nolan Williard, Canfield
Rocco Turner, Mooney
Connor Daggett, Canfield
Luke Rupeka, JFK
Paul Litrenta, Neshannock
Girls u17 Magnolias on the Green
Ava Liburdi, Hickory
Alyssa Rapp, Mooney
Jayne Bernard, Mooney
Madison Murphy, Canfield
Luciana Masters, Hickory
Kaitlyn Hoover, Wilmington
McKenzie Gustas, Hickory
Jocelyn Zhao, Canfield
Zoey Fick -Mills, Boardman
Jackie Kinnick, Canfield
Sam Calderone, JFK
Matilyn Zines, United Local
Daniella Patrone, Ursuline
Madalyn Rauzan, Ursuline
Shaylee Muckleroy, West Branch
Girls u14 Ambrose Family Eye Care
Kate Sowers, West Middlesex
Sophia Rivera, Boardman
Alyssa Zhang, Shady Side Academy
Lindsey Hoover, Wilmington
Gianna Ross, Boardman
Kendall Johnson, Canfield
Gracie Westover, Southeast
Miya Cohol, Canfield
Boys u14 Kreps Drywall
Mick Ambrose, Canfield
Dante Turner, Mooney
Chase Zelesnak, Boardman
Ray McCune, Canfield
Alexander Eckstein, Ursuline
Michael Garwacki, South Range
CJ Brew, Hubbard
Braeden Sallee, Fitch
Carter Fick-Mills, Boardman
Matthew Morrone, Poland
Trenton Hall, Columbiana
Zander DiMuzio, South Range