Tony Banks retrieving his golf ball after making an Eagle on the 18th hole at J.E. Good Park Golf Course during the club championship.
Tony Banks wins 75th Tiretown Golf Club championship, Larry Thomas takes Low Net
The 75th annual Tiretown Golf Club Championships closed out a competitive 2025 season. All eight champions were new to the winners’ circle — including Low Gross champion, Tony Banks, who fashioned a magnificent two-round total of 150 with rounds of 72 at Chippewa Golf Course and 78 in the final round at J.E. Good Park Golf Course in Akron.
Tony, who was considered among the favorites for this year’s overall title, was steady all season. He got off to a slow start at Chippewa with a bogey and double bogey before righting the ship to finish 2-under over the last 16 holes.
“I knew I would be in contention for this year’s championship,” said Tony, who led Al Bragg by 10 strokes after the first round, won the Low Net title in 2024. “Every round is different, but you have to play well when it matters.
“After the first day, I never thought I would have that kind of lead,” “I was just playing smart golf in the final round. I was trying not to make many mistakes and play the distances I was comfortable with.”
Tony was especially comfortable on the 36th and final hole of the championships. He roped a 3-wood 220 yards down the middle of the fairway, then confidently lofted a 7-iron from 145 yards out. The ball bounced softly into the hole for an eagle on the par-4 18th.
“I knew that green sloped toward me on that shot,” said Tony, who won the Low Net title in 2024. “I didn’t see the ball when it went in, so I thought they were teasing me when they said I holed out. The first thing I thought about was why can’t I do that on a par 3 for a hole-in-one, which I’ve never had.
Larry Thomas, who serves as Tiretown’s historian, won the Low Net title for the first time with a 127 total.
“I told myself going into Chippewa, I’ve got to shoot at least a 50 among the high handicappers,” Larry said. “I was able to do that, and scoring 48 and 48 (24-over, 96 at Good Park) helped.
“I made some smart decisions as far as club selection. When I got in the trees, I just eliminated penalty strokes but staying out of trouble really helped.”
Ralph Paulk, who finished second overall with 161 total, captured the A-Flight championship with a final round 78. Les Carter, the 2017 club championship, was second and Carl Miller placed third.
In the B-Flight, Tim Ramsey won while Jim Sauter and Dwayne Jackson were second and third, respectively. Diahnna Curtis captured her first Tiretown championship by edging out second-place William Preston and third-place Michael Robinson in the C-Flight competition.
Tiretown’s next event is the Tiretown Junior Golf Club Fundraiser at Mun Run Golf Course on Sept. 20. The cost is $75 per golfer and $300 for a foursome.
Registration begins at 8:30 with a shotgun start at 10.
Registration Link is Here