High school golf: State tournament leaving Ohio State

The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced the host courses for state golf tournaments in October will be at two new venues. NorthStar Golf Club in Sunbury (Division III) will continue to host a state tournament, while Firestone Country Club in Akron (D-II) and NCR Country Club (D-I) in Kettering will host for the first time. All three venues are under contract for only the 2024 tournaments. The Ohio State University Golf Club, which has hosted since 1929 except during renovation years, informed the OHSAA that it is declining to do so this fall. In addition, the OHSAA has announced that schools can begin the golf regular season on July 29 instead of Aug. 1. Of Medina County's 12 golf teams, only the Black River boys would play at Firestone as a D-II school. The rest would head to NCR Country Club. "We are thrilled to be able to add Firestone Country Club and NCR Country Club to our list of state tournament venues," OHSAA executive director Doug Ute said. "The golf community is very familiar with these two prestigious country clubs, and our state tournament qualifiers will have a great experience at those courses, along with our continued relationship with NorthStar Golf Club, which has been a great host." Sectionals for all divisions will be held Sept. 18-28, followed by districts Sept. 30-Oct. 8. Firestone Country Club opened in 1929, has hosted the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions for 70 years and is the current home to the Kaulig Companies Championship. It has also hosted three PGA Championships and a Senior PGA Championship. "We are excited to continue our history in championship golf and partner with the OHSAA to host part of the state golf championships at Firestone Country Club," Firestone Country Club director of golf Dale Davis said. "It will be great to see athletes compete on the North and Fazio course over two days to determine the state champions." NCR Country Club hosted the 1969 PGA Championship on the South Course. It also hosted the 2005 U.S. Senior Open, the 1986 U.S. Women's Open and the 2022 U.S. Senior Women's Open. "We are thrilled to be a part of the state golf championships and are looking forward to hosting the competitors and their families," NCR Country Club chief operating officer Jeff Grant said.