Mill Creek Wins Award for American Junior Golf Association Junior All Star Tournament

The Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) has announced its 2021 Annual Awards of Excellence winners. Mill Creek Golf Courses’ American Junior Golf Association Junior All Star Tournament placed 1st in the sports category of the competition. The awards are judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio. “Parks and recreation professionals throughout Ohio work every day to improve the quality of life of the people they serve,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward.  “This effort is a shining example of that kind of work, and we are pleased to be able to present this award.”

In the fall of 2015, Mill Creek MetroParks created a partnership with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) to bring a national event to the state of Ohio. In June of 2016, Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation AJGA Junior All Star Tournament was born. The first Junior All Star Tournament saw participants from 19 different states and 3 countries represented. Fast forward to five years later in 2021, the AJGA hosted the standard Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation Junior All Star event with the addition of an AJGA Preview Event allowing the course to host two, 54-hole tournaments with 100 player qualifiers which brought double the visitors to the local community. In addition to the event, the tournament brought in 40+ top college golf coaches from all around the country to recruit players. Spectators were welcome all week and averaged another 250+ people every day of the event. “It’s a great way to showcase the MetroParks and the Golf Course all while giving back to our local community,” says Brian Tolnar, PGA Golf Director.

Year to date, the event has brought a near $2 million financial impact to the community in the form of hotel stays, dining, rental cars, shopping, and entertainment spending along with participants from all 50 states and 37 different countries to Mill Creek MetroParks. Participants and their families have taken advantage of using the MetroParks while in town as well as taking part in many events and education programs that are held during the event week.

“We are thrilled to be recognized for the work that we are doing to impact the local community and the dedication demonstrated by the Golf & Recreation Department here at Mill Creek MetroParks,” says Aaron Young, Executive Director.

The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet hosted by the association on February 8, 2022 in Sandusky, Ohio.

Local golf course unveils renovations, celebrates milestone

The strong grip of winter has prevented Valley golfers from hitting the links this season. But when the weather lets up, golfers will be greeted with some welcomed improvements at Mill Creek MetroParks. 

“As you enter into the main entrance off of 224 you’ll see some upgrades on some flower beds and some landscaping to the parking lot banners as you pull in,” said Mill Creek MetoParks Director of Golf Brian Tolnar. 

One hundred twenty-four new golf carts are also an addition to the course as well as a new pull cart fleet.

Perhaps one of the biggest changes from last year was the south course bunker restoration. The new bunkers on the south course feature better drainage and new white sand compared to the clay from year’s past. Also, the bunkers will be a lot better to hit out of. 

One of the biggest changes you’ll notice is the change to the pro shop. 

“As you come into the pro shop, you’ll see upgrades in the slat walling and stonework and that will continue onto on the main part of our field house lobby and on to hole 55 as well. We are excited to be able to present people with a great opportunity from an experience perspective when they walk in the door to getting them out on the golf course,”  Tolnar said. 

On top of that, the course is planning on upgrades to the North Course bunker restoration and upgrades to the driving range.

Through 2023, the course also plans to enhance the cart paths, the on-course shelters, and coming in 2023 they plan to add an indoor golf simulator allowing golfers to take lessons and practice in the offseason. 

Mill Creek MetroParks plans to open the course this coming Friday, weather pending. 

View the full article at wfmj.com

Mill Creek Golf Course Scheduled to Open for the 2018 Golf Season

The North Course will open for play on Friday, March 30, 2018, weather permitting. The South Course has a tentative opening date of Monday, April 9, 2018, also weather permitting. The Practice Range & Learning Center at the Mill Creek Golf Course and the James L. Wick, Jr. Recreation Area Par-3 Golf Course are both scheduled to open on Monday, April 16, 2018. In addition, the batting cages, tennis courts and sand volleyball courts also located at the Wick Recreation Area will open on April 16. Wick Recreation Area hours are 8 am to dark, with lighted night hours of 8 pm – 11 pm beginning Memorial Day weekend. 

The South Course will be unveiling all new reconstructed bunkers from the first year of a five-year capital improvement project that took place in the fall of 2017. In addition to the fall bunker reconstruction, the facility will be opening a new cart staging area located in front of the Mill Creek Golf Course Fieldhouse. Bunker restoration is scheduled on the North Course beginning in April through mid-May.

“We’re excited to share all of the completed capital improvement projects and the facility enhancements with the golfing community this season. The golf department staff has been very active during the off-season to improve the facility from what it was three years ago, it has come a long way from then.  I think the golfers of the Mahoning Valley will be pleased with all the upgrades,” says Brian Tolnar, PGA Director of Golf.

Certified PGA Pro

Andy Santor, head professional at Mill Creek Golf Course, has become a certified PGA Professional in the Professional Golfers’ Association of America, Mill Creek MetroParks announced.

PGA’s certified professional program offers four certifications: player development, golf operations, golf facility management and teaching and coaching.

“I’m extremely excited to offer the new skills I’ve recently acquired in the PGA Certified Teaching & Coaching Education program at Mill Creek this season,” Santor said. “This will give us the ability to offer unique, expanded and cutting-edge instructional services moving forward. In addition, it will help us keep our programs fresh and inviting as we look to continue the growth and popularity of our sport in the Mahoning Valley.”

View the full article at vindy.com

Mill Creek MetroParks PGA Director of Golf recognized by the PGA of America

Mill Creek MetroParks PGA Director of Golf, Brian Tolnar, becomes the 136th Certified PGA Professional in the country. The Certified Professional Program (2.0) is a valuable achievement in a learning strategy aimed at improving PGA Professionals proficiency and advancing facility opportunities. The program is the PGA of America’s career enhancing educational curriculum that supports the goals of the PGA members who are committed to continuously improving their business skills to meet the increasing demands of the golf industry. The PGA of America currently offers four certification career paths: Player Development, Golf Operations, Golf Facility Management and Teaching & Coaching. Each career path consist of 35+ business courses, industry related project and a thesis capstone paper submission for program completion.

“I’m excited to bring some of the skills I have acquired in the education program back to Mill Creek this season. It is always a positive anytime an opportunity presents itself to expand a skill set. This gives me the ability to advance offerings and services, along with keeping on top of industry trends. Our golf staff works very hard to keep our programming fresh and exciting and I’m looking forward to assisting them in the continual growth and popularity of our golf programs,” says Brian Tolnar, PGA Director of Golf. This makes Tolnar 1 of only 2 golf professionals certified in the state of Ohio for Player Development in the PGA of America.

Mill Creek Golf Course to hold Snowbird Scramble Tournament

The 3rd Annual Snowbird Scramble Tournament at Mill Creek Golf Course will take place on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. The event format is a four player team scramble with severe pin placements. Teams can be made up of any combination men, women, seniors or juniors. Men will play the white tee markers, women will play the red markers, seniors (60+) & juniors (16 & under) will play the gold tee markers. “It’s a great way to usher out the 2017 golf season at Mill Creek Golf Course in a relaxing tournament setting with friends and family. The format makes this event a lot of fun for area golfers who will see the flags placed in some unusual hole locations,” says Brian Tolnar, PGA Director of Golf at Mill Creek Golf Course.

Entry Fee of $45/Player, $180/Team includes: greens fees, cart fees, chili cookout, event purse and skill event prizes. An option skins game will be available during the day of play. Register by stopping in or calling the Mill Creek Golf Course at 330.740.7112.

Mill Creek Golf Course Cart Staging Area Project is Set to Begin

The golf cart staging area capital improvement project is set to begin next week at the Mill Creek Golf Course. The project will include an expanded golf cart staging area in front of the Mill Creek Golf Course Fieldhouse which will feature a larger area to accommodate an additional 36 golf carts, pull carts and landscaped areas. All areas of the course will be unaffected by this project and will remain open for normal play and tee times. Parella & Pannunzio Inc. was awarded the project on September 18, 2017.

Mill Creek Golf Course bunker restoration project to begin

The Mill Creek Golf Course Bunker Restoration Capital Improvement Project is set to begin this week on the South Course. 

The project will include the restoration of 36 bunkers and additional drainage work. 

The South Course will be open for play during the restoration process but may be limited to nine hole play on a few of the days during the restoration process. 

However, the North Course and Practice Facility will remain open for normal play and tee times. 

Golf Preservations Inc. was awarded the project on September 18, 2017.

View the full article at wfmj.com

Mill Creek Golf Course Bunker Restoration Project Set to Begin

The Mill Creek Golf Course Bunker Restoration Capital Improvement Project is set to begin this week on the South Course. The project will include the restoration of 36 bunkers and additional drainage work. The South Course will be open for play during the restoration process, but may be limited to 9 Hole play on a few of the days during the restoration process. The North Course and Practice Facility will remain open for normal play and tee times. Golf Preservations Inc. was awarded the project on September 18, 2017.

Mill Creek Park Golf Pro Nominated for Northern Ohio PGA Award

Mill Creek PGA Head Professional Andy Santor, has been nominated for the Northern Ohio PGA Sections Teacher of the Year Award for the 2017 golf season. The Teacher of the Year Award is designed to recognize a PGA Professional who is an outstanding teacher of golf among the ranks of PGA membership. This award is based on a professional’s overall performance in teaching; unusual, innovative and special teaching programs initiated or implemented; articles published; as well as outstanding golfers the professional has instructed. 

“We’re excited for Andy and all his hard work in dedicating himself to the instructional and player development aspects of the game of golf. His passion for teaching the game of golf to players at every level has created a huge positive for our golf operation at the Mill Creek MetroParks”, says Brian Tolnar, PGA Director of Golf at Mill Creek MetroParks Golf Course. “He’s a very deserving candidate and we’re excited to have him on our team at Mill Creek.”

The Northern Ohio PGA is an association of golf professionals. The mission of the Northern Ohio PGA is to promote interest and enjoyment in the game of golf while enhancing the well-being of its members. This year’s Northern Ohio PGA Sections awards and ceremony will take place at Westfield Country Club in October.