Chairman's Message
July 1, 2020
The good news for the time being, when we seem to receive only tragic Covid-19 numbers, is the OHSAA approved competitive boys golf this fall.
Whether the invited school districts allow fall sports is another matter, but until I hear different the 2020 Canterbury Kiely Cup will be played on Sunday, September 13th.
My #1 concern-prerequisite beyond conducting a first-class tournament experience is the health and safety of all those involved: players, coaches, spectators and Canterbury's staff. Therefore, this year's Kiely Cup will be a one-day 18-hole tournament.
Unfortunately, a casualty of a one-day tournament is our popular Sunday evening banquet and featured speaker. Once the tournament concludes and the scores are tabulated, we’ll have a brief award ceremony and get everyone on their way home. Each team will receive a boxed dinner prior to departure. I recognize the burden a one-day tournament places on teams who are traveling longer distances, however, avoiding a large group banquet, foregoing an overnight stay and canceling Monday’s round allows us to move forward in a safer environment which respects Ohio's current health guidelines.
Meanwhile, there is no doubt Canterbury will be in fantastic condition come September. Our golf course superintendent, Michael LoPresti, and his crew continue to amaze our members and their guests. Each player will have an opportunity to test their game on a championship layout. I look forward to seeing everyone in September.
Winter 2020
Like many of you, I sit at the kitchen table hunkered down wondering whether OHSAA will permit a fall schedule of high school sports, and if they do will boys golf be on the list. Moreover, will school districts be open to accept students? If so, I believe golf of all the fall sports would be best able to practice social distancing. That said, whether we conduct the Kiely Cup this September is a question to be answered by a higher authority.
Wishing everyone good health and safety during these uncertain times. I'll stay tuned.
15th Annual Canterbury Kiely Cup
a Photo Finish
Defending champion Dublin Jerome, newcomer Columbus Academy and Lakota East ended the 36-hole Kiely Cup boys’ golf tournament a mere one stroke apart. With fifteen schools competing and 75 players playing in threesomes, Division II powerhouse Columbus Academy prevailed with a score of 618 (307-311).
Five of the last six Kiely Cup champions hail from southern Ohio.
Columbus Academy Vikings coach Craig Yakscoe said his team was not intimidated by the strong field at the start under Sunday’s cloudy and cool conditions. Despite da Browns troubles that day, Monday’s weather was perfect—bright sun and 75 degrees.
The venerable Shaker Heights course played fast and hard. Balls ran out and Canterbury’s fast, undulating greens took their toll.
St. Ignatius
Led by sophomore sensation Topher Reed (79-73), seniors Andrew Kaye (77-77) and Ross Williamson (84-77), and standout freshman Nick Piesen (80-77), two-time Kiely Cup champ St. Ignatius produced the low score on Monday (304), fourteen strokes better than their opening round. Iggy’s new head coach, P.J. Meyers, and legendary assistant Bob Cook had to be asking themselves where those scores were on Sunday.
Lakota East
Jeff Combs’ Lakota East team could have easily taken home the hardware. Joe Wilson IV, the Thunderhawks’ sophomore phenom, captured medalist honors with a pair of back-to-back par 72’s, despite leaving three additional strokes on the edge of the cup on Canterbury’s final holes on Monday—the 590-yard, par 5 16th; the 230-yard, par 3 17th; and the 400-yard, par 4, uphill 18th.
Keynote
During the annual banquet on Sunday evening, the players and their parents and friends were treated to a Northeast Ohio legend. Herb Page, the 41-year veteran men’s and women’s golf coach at Kent State University, regaled the audience as keynote speaker. The dean of the Mid American Conference, Herb coached the Golden Flashes to 22 MAC men's titles, four top-10 NCAA finishes, and three NCAA regional titles while coaching 28 All-Americans. Seven of his former players are currently competing on professional tours. Following remarks by Canterbury’s caddy master, the inimitable Mike Kiely, Herb explained what it takes to elevate your game to the next level, proudly mentioned four former Golden Flashes—Hudson’s John Hahn and Will Kurtz, Walsh Jesuit’s Chase Johnson, and Stow-Munroe’s Ian Holt were all former Kiely Cup medalist.
This year marked the 15th annual Kiely Cup. From 2005-2013, the invitational event was an 18-hole tournament. It switched to 36-holes when it was decided that elite high school players needed the opportunity to play a collegiate run tournament.
-Craig Fraser
July 1, 2020
The good news for the time being, when we seem to receive only tragic Covid-19 numbers, is the OHSAA approved competitive boys golf this fall.
Whether the invited school districts allow fall sports is another matter, but until I hear different the 2020 Canterbury Kiely Cup will be played on Sunday, September 13th.
My #1 concern-prerequisite beyond conducting a first-class tournament experience is the health and safety of all those involved: players, coaches, spectators and Canterbury's staff. Therefore, this year's Kiely Cup will be a one-day 18-hole tournament.
Unfortunately, a casualty of a one-day tournament is our popular Sunday evening banquet and featured speaker. Once the tournament concludes and the scores are tabulated, we’ll have a brief award ceremony and get everyone on their way home. Each team will receive a boxed dinner prior to departure. I recognize the burden a one-day tournament places on teams who are traveling longer distances, however, avoiding a large group banquet, foregoing an overnight stay and canceling Monday’s round allows us to move forward in a safer environment which respects Ohio's current health guidelines.
Meanwhile, there is no doubt Canterbury will be in fantastic condition come September. Our golf course superintendent, Michael LoPresti, and his crew continue to amaze our members and their guests. Each player will have an opportunity to test their game on a championship layout. I look forward to seeing everyone in September.
Winter 2020
Like many of you, I sit at the kitchen table hunkered down wondering whether OHSAA will permit a fall schedule of high school sports, and if they do will boys golf be on the list. Moreover, will school districts be open to accept students? If so, I believe golf of all the fall sports would be best able to practice social distancing. That said, whether we conduct the Kiely Cup this September is a question to be answered by a higher authority.
Wishing everyone good health and safety during these uncertain times. I'll stay tuned.
15th Annual Canterbury Kiely Cup
a Photo Finish
Defending champion Dublin Jerome, newcomer Columbus Academy and Lakota East ended the 36-hole Kiely Cup boys’ golf tournament a mere one stroke apart. With fifteen schools competing and 75 players playing in threesomes, Division II powerhouse Columbus Academy prevailed with a score of 618 (307-311).
Five of the last six Kiely Cup champions hail from southern Ohio.
Columbus Academy Vikings coach Craig Yakscoe said his team was not intimidated by the strong field at the start under Sunday’s cloudy and cool conditions. Despite da Browns troubles that day, Monday’s weather was perfect—bright sun and 75 degrees.
The venerable Shaker Heights course played fast and hard. Balls ran out and Canterbury’s fast, undulating greens took their toll.
St. Ignatius
Led by sophomore sensation Topher Reed (79-73), seniors Andrew Kaye (77-77) and Ross Williamson (84-77), and standout freshman Nick Piesen (80-77), two-time Kiely Cup champ St. Ignatius produced the low score on Monday (304), fourteen strokes better than their opening round. Iggy’s new head coach, P.J. Meyers, and legendary assistant Bob Cook had to be asking themselves where those scores were on Sunday.
Lakota East
Jeff Combs’ Lakota East team could have easily taken home the hardware. Joe Wilson IV, the Thunderhawks’ sophomore phenom, captured medalist honors with a pair of back-to-back par 72’s, despite leaving three additional strokes on the edge of the cup on Canterbury’s final holes on Monday—the 590-yard, par 5 16th; the 230-yard, par 3 17th; and the 400-yard, par 4, uphill 18th.
Keynote
During the annual banquet on Sunday evening, the players and their parents and friends were treated to a Northeast Ohio legend. Herb Page, the 41-year veteran men’s and women’s golf coach at Kent State University, regaled the audience as keynote speaker. The dean of the Mid American Conference, Herb coached the Golden Flashes to 22 MAC men's titles, four top-10 NCAA finishes, and three NCAA regional titles while coaching 28 All-Americans. Seven of his former players are currently competing on professional tours. Following remarks by Canterbury’s caddy master, the inimitable Mike Kiely, Herb explained what it takes to elevate your game to the next level, proudly mentioned four former Golden Flashes—Hudson’s John Hahn and Will Kurtz, Walsh Jesuit’s Chase Johnson, and Stow-Munroe’s Ian Holt were all former Kiely Cup medalist.
This year marked the 15th annual Kiely Cup. From 2005-2013, the invitational event was an 18-hole tournament. It switched to 36-holes when it was decided that elite high school players needed the opportunity to play a collegiate run tournament.
-Craig Fraser