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Area father-son duo plays at Ohio Open

North Bloomfield’s Craig and Thomas Lydic took to the course for the 97th annual Davey Tree Ohio Open at Medina’s Weymouth Country Club last week.

Perhaps the only father-son duo in the tournament, the Lydics are certainly no stranger to the Open, as this is their fourth year competing in one of the most prestigious events on the Northern Ohio Professional Golfers Association’s (PGA) Tour calendar.

The event, which features several of the top professional and amateur golfers in the region, is just one of many in which the Lydics compete. The Davey Tree, however, is one of the most competitive on the tour, and for the Lydics, just making the cut is an accomplishment within itself.

However, the duo had never golfed at Weymouth prior to the first round, as the tournament had typically taken place at Westfield Country Club (Westfield Center). Both father and son agreed that Weymouth is a much more difficult course than Westfield and, according to Craig, a very unforgiving course.

“(Weymouth is) a lot skinnier and longer (than Westfield) — it plays a little over 7,000 yards,” Craig said. “We stood up on No. 10, and I watched Thomas hit the front third of the green and the ball spun off it, 15-20 yards short of the green. I didn’t learn much from it, because I ended up doing the same thing.”

The course difficulty didn’t affect Craig as much as it did Thomas on Day 1. Craig shot a 75, good enough for a 3-over par score after round 1, whereas Thomas found himself much deeper in the hole with a 7-over 79 after 18 holes.

For Thomas, the back nine was especially a struggle, as he bogeyed four of the nine holes, including a double-bogey on No. 17. The 23-year old Champion graduate spent the last five years golfing for Youngstown State, and like his father, he’s pursuing a professional career in the PGA.

Thomas has golfed since age 2, much like his father did many years prior. That should come as no surprise, however, as Craig has owned three golf courses over the past 25 years, including Bristolwood in Bristolville, which he recently sold just weeks ago.

“I call (golf) the family business,” Thomas said, laughing. “I’ve just never known any other way. My dad just sold Bristolwood 10 days ago and it’s the first time in my entire life that my dad hasn’t owned at least one golf course.”

Craig, who’s also owned golf courses in Erie, Pa., and Ozark, Alabama, is now 56 and is entering the twilight of his golf career. After beginning his career in Pennsylvania and then on to New York State, Craig ultimately wound up golfing back in Ohio, prior to heading to South Florida and then on to Alabama.

Ironically, Craig’s journey will come “full circle” of sorts, as he plans on soon retiring from the game and heading back down to South Florida, along with Thomas. While Craig is nearing the end of his career, it doesn’t stop him from still partaking in some friendly wagers with his son.

“(Monday) was two in row,” Craig said of beating his son in consecutive rounds of golf. “In all honesty, he beats me more than I beat him. It’s exciting to see what he can do (going forward). He can go absolutely anywhere, you just never know — that’s what golf can do to you.”

Unfortunately for Craig, the streak came to an end on the second day of the tournament, as he experienced the same type of struggles that Thomas had in round one. Craig wound up shooting an 80, giving him a two-day score of 11-over. Thomas, meanwhile, shot a 74 to put him 9-over for the tournament — however, both Lydics missed the final cut.

Despite not qualifying for the final two days of the event, the father-son duo simply enjoys the opportunity to golf together.

“It’s definitely a fun week. We play more golf together than any father-son (duo) that I know,” Thomas said.

Craig added, “It’s nice to play with my son. We had a great day.”

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