Girls golf: Avon resident Kellan Gleason gets hole-in-one, fires 74 to help Magnificat win showcase

AVON — The Ohio Girls Golf Foundation Showcase is often more about making memories than making a run up the leaderboard. Incoming Magnificat freshman Kellan Gleason made a memory that will last a lifetime Monday. Gleason, an Avon resident, made an ace on the par-3 eighth hole at Avon Oaks Country Club on her way to helping the Blue Streaks to an easy win in the 12-team field. Despite missing two of its top golfers, Magnificat shot 293 to finish 25 strokes ahead of second-place Hudson (318). "I teed it up and I hit it and it bounced right in," said Gleason, who used a 54-degree wedge. "It felt really good." It was the first hole-in-one for Gleason, who shot a 2-over 74 in just her second career round at Avon Oaks. "I was happy I was able to come in and meet a lot of new people," Gleason said. "I've been practicing a lot." Avon finished seventh with a 402 score. Incoming senior Kylie Kittrell led the way with 94 and junior Emma Fitch shot a 102. "It's a really good experience to come here, everyone always looks forward to this," Fitch said. "We get to see a bunch of teams from our area and have the chance to play with them." Fitch said her goal coming into the event was to break 110, so shooting a 47 on the back nine with three pars gives her a good start on preparing for the season-opening Southwestern Conference Preview in just 20 days. The event started with a clinic led by LPGA professional Barb Mucha before 88 golfers b egan their 18-hole rounds. While Keystone didn't field a full lineup, the Wildcats were represented by a pair of golfers led by Sophia Clarico, who shot 89 to finish 29th. Brunswick's Ellie Gonzalez-Ribble was medalist with a 4-under 68. Recent Kent Roosevelt grad Madolyn Kost, a Henderson (Arkansas) State commit, shot a 3-under 69. In a post-match ceremony, the OGGF awarded 11 $1,000 scholarship to area golfers. Among the recipients was Avon's Madigan O'Leary, who will be attending Miami University in Oxford this fall. Paighton Masterson, a two-time OGGF Showcase medalist and state qualifier for Avon Lake, also came back to speak to the girls about her college career at the University of Cincinnati. St. Joseph Academy incoming junior and Avon resident Emerson Glending finished tied for 14th with a 5-over 77, helping Jaguars take fourth with a 352. "I was hitting my drives pretty well but the greens were fast so it took me some time to adjust," Glending said. "My chipping and my irons were pretty good today and the course was in good conditions." Like most of the golfers, Glending said the best part of the day was the clinic and the camaraderie with other golfers. "This event is just amazing, especially in the beginning with all of the drills they do," Glending said. "It's super helpful having pros and coaches from different schools give you advice on how to hit out of a bunker or how to play different holes." Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. TEAM RESULTS: Magnificat 293, Hudson 318, Brunswick 347, St. Joseph Academy 352, Edison 374, Rocky River 387, Avon 402, Hudson "B" 418, Shaker Heights 425, Lake Catholic 430, Olmsted Falls 432, Southern Local 471. MEDALIST: Ellie Gonzalez-Ribble, Brunswick, 68 TOP INDIVIDUALS: Madolyn Kost, Kent Roosevelt, 69; Cammy Reid, Magnificat, 72; Calli Reed, Magnificat, 73; Julia Gulla, Nordonia, 73.