Tag Archive for: Golf

THE MASTER OF HIS CRAFT

CANFIELD, OH- Preston Tolnar, a nine-year-old golf prodigy from Canfield, is hitting headlines as he prepares to compete at Augusta National for the prestigious Drive, Chip and Putt contest. This remarkable talent, already the talk of the town, is set to represent Mill Creek Golf Course at this distinguished event.

Preston, a fourth grader at Canfield, has already accumulated seven years of golfing experience, beginning at the tender age of two. His journey has led him to the opportunity to showcase his skills at Augusta National, a dream for many in the golfing world. The competition, organized by the PGA of America, the United States Golf Association, and the Augusta National Golf Club, invites young golfers to display their prowess in driving, chipping, and putting.

Brian Tolnar, Preston’s father, commends the contest as a vital initiative to foster youth interest in golf. Preston devotes his time to practice after school, honing his skills both on the green and in the classroom, where he excels in science, social studies, and math. Besides his dedication to golf, Preston is a multi-sport athlete with a passion for basketball and football.

This exceptional young golfer, a Phil Mickelson enthusiast, is humbly looking forward to the upcoming contest at Augusta National. Preston’s family, along with his local community, eagerly anticipates his upcoming participation in the event, as they rally behind him, cheering for success and a memorable experience.

As Preston sets his sights on the 18th green at Augusta, he embodies the embodiment of youthful ambition and sportsmanship that has made the Youngstown community proud. We wish Preston Tolnar the best of luck as he prepares to tee off at Augusta National in this exciting chapter of his golfing journey.

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LET IT ROC

YOUNGSTOWN, OH-  In a recent interview on the YSN podcast, Cardinal Mooney multi-sport athlete Rocco Turner provided insights into his sports career, including his experiences in basketball and golf. Turner, known for his talent and leadership on and off the court, revealed his aspirations for a state championship in basketball, having already secured a state title in golf.

When quizzed about the legacies he aimed to carve at Mooney, Turner modestly expressed his desire to excel in both basketball and golf, underlining the value of teamwork in basketball and the individual efforts in golf. Acknowledging the guidance he received from coaches and senior teammates, Turner also credited his parents for nurturing his competitive spirit and emphasizing the importance of family support.

Having already tasted success in multiple arenas, Turner discussed his upcoming signing to join the Division I golf team at Youngstown State University, attributing his achievements to hard work, persistence, and the mentorship he received from coaches and fellow players. With an unwavering determination to pursue excellence, Turner’s versatile athletic journey exemplifies the impact of dedication, family values, and the pursuit of one’s passions.

As he navigates the challenging, yet rewarding, path ahead, Turner’s story continues to inspire young athletes and demonstrates the power of resilience and perseverance in the pursuit of sporting dreams.

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MILL CREEK GOLF COURSE OPENS INDOOR TRAINING FACILITY

BOARDMAN, OH- The Mill Creek golf community celebrated the grand opening of its highly anticipated golf simulator facility, a project culminating from a ten-year capital improvement strategy. Golf Director Brian Tolnar and local sports streaming personality DJ Yokley co-hosted an engaging episode of the “YSN Power Hour” to discuss the innovative features and promising future of the new establishment.
The modern facility, initially delayed by the pandemic and soaring construction costs, promises golf enthusiasts a year-round golfing experience—augmented with winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, alongside gourmet dining.

“We’ve transformed what was once an underutilized space into a vibrant profit center,” said Brian Tolnar, detailing the journey from concept to completion through collaborative efforts with architects and building professionals.

This state-of-the-art simulator not only allows players to simulate some of the world’s most iconic golf courses but also provides detailed data analytics and video capabilities, leveraging TrackMan simulator technology.

“With these simulators, your performance is right there in the numbers—it’s precise, it can be a bit humbling, but it really shows you where your game is at,” shared Tolnar with host DJ Yokley, who expressed his own fascination with the technology’s educational benefits.

The facility’s popularity isn’t just in its golfing but in the inclusivity of the sporting environment. “It’s a pressure-free zone where anyone from seasoned players to first-timers can enjoy themselves,” Yokley remarked.
Tolnar, commenting on the professional golf landscape, predicted an uncertain but compelling future with possible shifts in televised golf if major tours consider merging, reflecting rising competition and changing player loyalty.
Between the diverse recreation opportunities at Mill Creek Metro Parks and the state-of-the-art facilities such as the golf simulator, the local area is solidifying its position as a regional hub for sports and leisure.

For those interested in reserving time at the new simulators, bookings are available by calling the golf shop or visiting the Mill Creek Metro Parks website. Whether you’re looking to hit the links virtually or simply enjoy a good meal and the great outdoors, Mill Creek’s latest addition is a hole-in-one for the community.

Find more sports stories and episodes of the “YSN Power Hour” at ysnlive.com.

TIGERS TERRIFIC TANDEM

NEW MIDDLETOWN, OH – Jackson Ensley and John Brungard are two dedicated and talented golfers for the Springfield Tigers. With a passion for the sport that ignited at a young age, this duo has been progressively becoming prominent forces on the local golfing scene. Both of these young men have had a multitude of impressive achievements on the course, and they have consistently showcased their remarkable skills by placing high up the leaderboards in their golf matches. Beyond the fairways, Ensley and Brungard are known for their work in the classroom as both men use that golfer’s focus on their studies as well.

YSN’s own, Steve Leslie, was able to sit down with Jackson and John this week at the Tigers Table to discuss their golf season so far, what a day in the life of a golfer is all about, what it means to be a Springfield Tiger to them, a rapid fire questionnaire where we get to learn more about what makes these two the fierce competitors they are, and so much more.

Check out this exclusive dual player profile with Springfield Tigers golf stars, Jackson Ensley and John Brungard on YSNLive!

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BOARDMAN GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH RICK SYPERT

BOARDMAN, OH-  In this episode, we dive into the world of Boardman Girls Cross Country with the legendary Coach Rick Sypert.

We talk about the amazing group of girls he has this year, led by talented seniors and driven underclassmen. Coach Sypert shares insights on their training, including their weight program and the exponential changes he’s seen in his athletes.

We also get a sneak peek into their upcoming night race and the unique experience it offers. Join us as we chat with Coach Cypher and get to know the incredible team he leads.

Get ready for an exciting and inspiring conversation on YSN’s Boardman Coach’s Corner!

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POLAND BULLDOGS GOLF COACH’S CORNER (EP. 1) WITH PAT CARDEN

POLAND, OH – Head coach Pat Carden and the Poland Bulldogs boys golf team are hitting their stride on the course as they have been posting scores that are rivaling some of the best scores in school history. Coming off a great display in their last match at Mahoning Country Club against Girard, the boys look to keep that rolling this week against Wilmington on Monday, Hubbard on Tuesday, and Niles on Thursday.

YSN’s own, Steve Leslie, was able to sit down with Coach Carden at Combine Brothers this week to talk about the season so far, who has really stuck out this year for the Bulldogs, what it takes on a daily basis to coach a golf team, and so much more!

This week’s episode of Poland Bulldogs golf coach’s corner with head coach, Pat Carden, is LIVE!

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GOLFING GREATNESS

POLAND, OH – The Poland Bulldogs boys golf team is off to a hot start in 2023 and the squad is being led by a fantastic group of golfers who seem to be playing at a level that hasn’t been seen in sometime! So far this year the Poland faithful have seen Angelo Rinaldi, a freshman, tie a school record with a round of 31 and Michael Chambers score a hole in one at Yankee Run!

YSN’s own, Steve Leslie, was able to sit down at Combine Brothers this week with Angelo and Michael to get a feel for how special this golf season has been for the two of them, what playing at Poland means to these guys, how it felt to score a hole in one for Michael as well as how it felt for Angelo to tie a school record, and a rapid fire questionnaire where Steve gets to dive into what makes these two golfers the players they are today!

Check out this exclusive dual player profile with Poland Bulldogs standout golfers, Angelo Rinaldi and Michael Chambers!

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SANTINO SERVES IT HOT

CANFIELD, OH- Senior Canfield Cardinal Lineman Santino Cocca opened up about his multifaceted identity both on and off the football field. Displaying immense pride in his athletic prowess and leadership skills, Santino also places a paramount emphasis on his identity as a family-first individual.

While he’s known for his ability to move mountains on the football field, he also showcases his versatile skills on the golf course, frequently teeing off with his brother and demonstrating both his long drives and unwavering work ethic.

For Santino, his family name is synonymous with excellence in the community, and he’s determined to uphold its distinguished reputation. Through his dedication to his sports, his leadership qualities, and his strong values, Santino Cocca embodies a well-rounded and inspiring individual who leaves a lasting impact both in sports and in life.

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BEAVER LOCAL SINKS FIRST SHOT OF THE SEASON

EAST LIVERPOOL, OH- The Beaver Local Boys Golf team began the fall sports season on the right side of things defeating the Crestview Rebels 170-173.

The Beavers were paced by Owen Hill and Britton Hickmanwith 41, 41. Andre Wiegand and Cole Jarvis each chipped scores of 44, while Mikey Druschel and Nick McKenzie each contrinuted scores of 48 and 56 respectively. The Rebels were led by low medalist of the round Luke Requardt with a 38, while teammate Rod McCune carded a 41.

*Contributed by Josh Sigler

MILL CREEK JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS POSTED

YOUNGSTOWN, OH- The following are the results from the 1st Annual Mill Creek MetroParks Junior-Junior Championship that was held at Mill Creek Golf Course (North Course) on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.  Below are the results:

GIRLS 10-12

Olivia Kempe & Payton Papuga

Score: 46

GIRLS 13-15

Natalie Sawicki & Grace Carrier

Score: 75

GIRLS 16-19

Shaylee Muckleroy & Matilyn Zines

Score: 64

BOY’S 8-9

Barden Rutherford & Preston Tolnar

Score: 33

BOY’S 10-12

Peyton McCune & Luke Conroy

Score: 37

BOY’S 13-15

Chase Zelesnak & Luke DeJoseph

Score: 76

BOY’S 16-19

Garrett Dillon & Zoe Mort

Score: 64