UNIONTOWN — Ryan Sam just kept pecking away the Stark County Amateur Golf Championships.
His third time playing in the event was a charm.
Sam won his first Stark Amateur on July 19 at Ohio Prestwick Country Club. The former Boardman High School and Youngstown State University player went into the final round with the lead and made it hold up, finishing at 3-under with rounds of 70 and 71.
How close has Sam come to winning past Stark Amateurs? He finished tied for third in 2024, just three shots behind winner Kyle Buzaki. Last year he was runner-up to Kyle Smith in the championship division.
“It means a lot,” Sam said. “I always like coming to play this tournament. Most of the (Youngstown State) team comes out to play. We always have a good time playing.
“I really like this golf course. I’ve played well here in the past. Getting it done today, it kind of feels like it was supposed to happen. I’m glad I got it done.”
Lucas Liberatore was second at 1-over. Joshua Clay and Shaun Kloetzer tied for third at 3-over. Brian Myers and Dillon Pendergast finished fifth at 4-over.
Sam’s 3-under 70 in the first round gave him a four-shot lead. A couple of bogeys early in the final round put his advantage in jeopardy.
Birdies on 6 and 8 put Sam back on track.
“I did not get off to a good start,” Sam said. “I really only hit like one green in my first five but I scrambled really well, and the putter was pretty hot early just to save some pars with some 10 or 12 footers.
“Bouncing back on 6 and 8, I definitely settled into the round right there. I kind of realized I just had to control what I could control going forward.”
Sam played in a threesome with Kloetzer and former Youngstown State teammate Michael Porter. Kloetzer put some pressure on Sam after starting the final round two shots off the lead.
“I played with Shawn two years ago, and he’s a great player,” Sam said. “He got within 1 at the 13th tee box after he made three (birdies) in a row. I just tried to remind myself that I have to worry about what I’m doing and not really what anyone else is doing. I just had to stay in my own little bubble.”
Sam’s former Youngstown State teammates who also played in this year’s Stark Amateur hung around for the finish. One of them was Jordan Kish, a former Stark County Player of the Year out of Jackson.
“All the boys are out here supporting each other,” Sam said. “It could have been anybody in that final group, and we all would have stayed and watched. We’re definitely a tight-knit group. I think that’s what makes our team special.”
Sam was an ironman during his four seasons at Youngstown State. He ranks fifth on the Penguins’ all-time list for career rounds played with 122 over 43 tournaments. He was second team All-Horizon League as a senior
His college career may be over, but his involvement with golf is just getting started.
“I’m definitely going to pursue golf further than the collegiate level,” Sam said. “I’m going to follow my dream, follow my passion and not regret anything down the road.”
Two holes-in-ones in final round of Stark County Amateur Golf Championships
There were two holes-in-ones shot in the final round. Bruno Chirumbolo recorded his fifth career ace on the par-3 No. 2. Joe Rockich shot his first on the par-3 No. 9.
Chirumbolo was runner-up in the 70-and-over division at 6-over. Hartville’s Paul Trenta finished first at 4-over.
Fairlawn’s Howard Clendenin shot 7-under for a dominating win in the ages 50-59 division. Canton’s Dave Oates finished second at 3-over.
Canton’s Nick Lambos and Akron’s Rick Bryson shared the ages 60-69 title. Both finished at 11-over.
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Third time’s a charm for golfer Ryan Sam at Stark County Amateur
Reporting by Mike Popovich, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Popovich, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
