Local Boys Golfers Have Fine Showing During Prestigious 2024 Great Lakes Junior Golf Tour, Kam Kerle Medalist In Five Events, Overall Champion; Devon Lauer Also Medals In An Event, Third Overall

Seven Clarion County boys golfers competed in the recently completed 2024 Great Lakes Junior Golf Tour (GLJGT), with some really fine performances turned in, this prestigious competition.

There were a total of thirteen events this summer which were played on sixteen different golf courses, most in and around Erie County. The first 4 events of the season were one day tournaments, which were followed by 9 two day/36 hole tournaments. 

The Tour started on May 18th at the “Country Meadows Clash” at Country Meadows Golf Club in Venango and concluded with the tour championship on August 1st and 2nd at Oakland Beach Country Club at Conneaut Lake.

The local contingent, all competing in the Boys 16-19 Division, included Clarion Area graduate Devon Lauer, who will golf for Pennwest Clarion University; current Clarion Area golfers: Kameron Kerle, Lucas Mitrosky, James Keenen and Parker Miller; and current Keystone golfers Braden Baylor and Sean Karg. Kerle took top honors in seven events, finishing 1st overall for the 2024 tour and Lauer medaled once, while finishing 3rd overall. The tour is all individual play, with no teams or schools represented.

Kerle was the lone local golfer to take part in the “Country Meadows Clash,” in Venango, carding a 77 to tie for 3rd in the 16-19 division and tie for 4th overall.

Next up was the “Downing Dash” at Downing Golf Course, at Harborcreek, on May 25th, with Kerle and Lauer competing. Kerle shot an 80 good for 5th in both the 16-19 division and overall. Lauer carded an 82, tying for 7th in the 16-19 year old division and tying for 8th overall.

Kerle and Lauer each shot 78, tying for 2nd in both the 16-19 division and overall at the “June Kickoff At Mount Hope” at Mount Hope Golf Course in Guys Mills, on June 2nd.

The “Union City Sprint” at Union City Golf Club on June 8th, saw four local golfers take part. Kerle finished 1st in both the 16-19 division and overall with a 72. Lauer shot an 83 for 4th in 16-19 and 5th overall. Mitrosky finished 5th in 16-19 and 6th overall. Baylor tied for 6th in 16-19 and tied for 7th overall.

On June 11th and 12th, it was “Rumble In The Hills,” at North Hills Municipal Golf Course, in Corry. Kerle finished 1st in both 16-19 and overall, with a 73-74, two over 147. Lauer finished with a 77-65, 162 to tie for 4th in 16-19 and 5th overall. With an 87-83, 170, Mitrosky finished 8th in 16-19 and 10th overall. Baylor shot an 89-99, 188 for 9th in 16-19 and 13th overall.

The next event was “Tam’O Nango,” at Tam O’Shanter Golf Course in Hermitage, on June 17th and 18th. Kerle and Baylor were the only area participants in this match. Kerle finished first in the division and overall, with a 74-70 (1-under), 144 (1-over). Baylor finished 6th in 16-19 and 10th overall, carding a 93-86, 179.

Five local golfers participated in the “Park Springs Tournament,” held June 24th through 26th at Hemlock Springs Golf Course in Lawrence Park. Kerle was third in both 16-19 and overall, with an 82-63, 145. Lauer finished fifth in both at 83-65, 148. Mitrosky was 9th in both, carding an 85-68, 153. Baylor finished 13th and 17th respectively, with a 97-81. Keenen finished 15th and 19th, with a 96-83, 179.

The “Wan River Tournament” was held July 1st and 2nd, at the Wanango Country Club in Reno. Kerle finished 1st in both 16-19 and overall, with a 72-74, three over par 146. Lauer finished 3rd in 16-19 and tied for 3rd overall, carding an 82-75, 157. Keenen shot an 88-76, 164 for 6th in the 16-19 division and 7th overall. Mitrosky was 7th in 16-19 and 8th overall, with an 87-78, 165. Baylor finished with an 89-86, 175 to tie for 10th in the division and a tie for 12th overall. Miller finished 12th in 16-19 and 16th overall, with a 92-94, 186.

Lauer finished 1st in the “Junior Match Play Championship,” held July 9th and 10th, at the Ridge Golf Club at the Ridge Golf Club in Erie, carding a 2 under 69. Keenen finished in 5th with a 74. Kerle and Mitrosky tied for 6th at 75. Baylor shot an 84 to tie for 20th.

The “Battle Of The Vineyard,” took place July 16th and 17th at Green Meadows Golf Course, in Volant. Kerle and Keenen were the only local golfers to participate, with Kerle taking first in both the 16-19 division and overall, with a 78-77, 155 and Keenan finishing 6th in 16-19 and 8th overall, with an 85-80, 165.

The “Hope Shore Tournament,” was held July 22nd and 23rd at Mount Hope Golf Course, with Kerle taking 1st in 16-19 and overall, carding a 16-72, 2 under 141. Lauer finished 6th in the division and tied for 6th overall, with an 82-80, 162. Keenen tied for 9th in the division and tied for 11th overall, shooting a 77-91, 168.

The “Junior Stroke Play Championship (13 and older),” was on July 29th and 30th, at Corry Country Club in Corry. Kerle tied for 5th in both 16-19 and overall, with a 74-76, 150. Lauer shot an 85-72, 157, good for 12th in 16-19 and 15th overall. Karg and Mitrosky tied for 13th in the division and 16th overall, with both carding a 158. Karg’s score came on an 81-77 and Mitrosky’s on a 79-79. Keenen had an 87-75, 162, for 18th in the division and 21st overall. Baylor scored an 80-86, 166, for 20th in 16-19 and 23rd overall.

Grove City’s Isaac Allen, son of former Clarion Area football coach Judd Allen competed in the match, carding an 80-73, 153 to tie for 7th in the division and tying for 8th overall.

“Great Lakes Junior Golf Tournament Championship” match concluded the season on August 1st and 2nd at Oakland Beach. Lauer finished with a 77-72, 149 to tie for 2nd in the 16-19 division and tied for 3rd overall. Kerle finished 6th in the division and 10th overall, shooting a 79-78, 157. Keenen tied for 7th and 11th respectively, with an 80-78, 158. Mitrosky had a one day total of 38.

(Stats compiled by Jackie Kerle for local golfers that played on the tour this year)

Kameron Kerle- played in 13 events, 1st place overall with 264.50 points. 75.32 scoring average. Won 5 events and placed in the top 5  in 12/13 tournaments.  

Devon Lauer- played in 10 events, 3rd place overall with 170 points. 79 scoring average. Won 1 event and placed in the top 5 in 7/10 tournaments. 

Lucas Mitrosky- played in 6 events, 11th overall in points, 82 scoring average. Finished in the top 5 in 2/6 tournaments. 

James Keenen- played in 7 events, 12th overall in points, 83 scoring average. Finished in the top 10 in 5/10 tournaments. 

Parker Miller- played in 1 event, 93 scoring average. 

Sean Karg- played in 2 events, 79 scoring average. 

Braden Baylor- played in 8 events, 88.99 scoring averages, 5/8 top 10 finishes. 

(Great GLJGT season to all the area golfers!!!! Thanks to Jackie Kerle for her photos and compiling the stats!!)