TERRE HAUTE —
What does an outstanding golfer have left when an accident has robbed him of the consummate skills he once possessed? The answer most assuredly would be one word, “Memories.”
In the case of Rick Fernandes, he can look back on a stellar amateur career along with laudable professional experiences that were cut short by a terrible explosion that ultimately ended his ability to play the game he loved.
Rick Fernandes moved from suburban Detroit, Mich., in 1975 after helping Thurston High School to a third-place finish in the Michigan State High School Golf Finals. He assumed the number one man’s position during his senior year at North Vigo High School. He was runner-up in the Vigo County tournament that year which was won by his good friend, John Moulton.
After entering ISU Rick can look back proudly to his first college tournament, the Ball State Invitational. Rick won individual honors in that competition which included teams from Purdue and Indiana University.
This was the prelude to a successful college career that ended in much the same way it began, with Rick winning golf tournaments. Playing as the number one man for the Sycamores, Fernandes recalls winning individual honors in his last two tournaments. He took first place in the Franklin Invitational, and followed that with a win in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship when the tourney was played in Des Moines, Iowa. On three occasions Fernandes was honored by being named ISU’s most outstanding golfer for 1977, ’78 and ’79. It was in 1979 that Fernandes was designated an “All American” by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Rick’s plaque bears the names of others selected All American in 1979, and they include: Payne Stewart, Cory Pavin, Fred Couples, and John Cook among others.
At a later date, Rick was inducted into ISU’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
After college Rick continued sharpening his game in amateur tournaments. He won a pair of Terre Haute City Championships. In 1979, Rick finished one shot ahead of Bobby Dickerson. In 1980, Rick finished two shots ahead of co-runners up, Ted Kaperak and Bob Arnett. Also during amateur competition he won a pair of Elks Amateur titles, as well as multiple club championships at Elks Fort Harrison C.C. and Hulman Links.
After turning professional, there were some good times awaiting him, but also some devastating times. Rick can remember cashing checks 30 times out of 50 mini-tour events he played in Florida. He teamed with Todd Smith to win the Indiana PGA Better Ball Championship. Winning the PGA Assistant Professional’s Title at Battleground C.C. in Lafayette when he toured the rugged course in rounds of 65, 71 and 70 was a high point in Rick’s resume. He can also look back at making ten “cuts” in the Indiana Open.
Golf, however, would become much more difficult for Rick Fernandes when a monstrous explosion in his rented house simply annihilated the structure. Rick regained consciousness in the basement, but the remainder of the dwelling was gone. Some of his belongings were found high in the tops of large trees adjacent to the dwelling. Rick’s first words were “Has anyone found my golf clubs?” The explosion, due to a propane gas leak, occurred in 1990 when Rick was 32.
Any gambler would have laid 100-to-one odds that no one could have lived through the blast that blew out windowpanes more than a half-mile away.
Rick’s primary injuries were to his foot. He kept playing golf and worked as an assistant to Jim Peo and later as the head professional at Elks Fort Harrison C.C.
Persistent problems with his foot and subsequent infections led to surgeries to replace both hips, and later amputation of the left leg below the knee. Due to infection, the right hip was removed along with a portion of the pelvis. Rick gets around now with the assistance of two crutches.
It has been 12 years since Rick has hit a golf ball, but he can look back on some prolific golf and the memories that accompany his accomplishments on greens and fairways he once walked.
How good a golfer was Rick Fernandes? You can be the judge. He played eight different courses in 64 strokes on each during his playing years. He scored four holes-in-one. He had finishes of third, seventh and ninth in Indiana Amateur competition and he has been fourth low amateur in the Indiana Open. As a professional Rick, finished eighth, ninth and 12th in Indiana Opens.
Rick Fernandes can look back on a plethora of outstanding golf during good times and bad.
Rick would like to thank the following people who have assisted him over the years: Ray Goddard, John Moulton, Gary and Becky McCabe, Mike and Janee Gambill, Steve Anderson, Jack Myers, Dr. John Trench, Dr. Irving Haber, Dr. Ton, Jim Peo, Dave Alumbaugh and the Vickers family.
I I I
Our apologies to David Feherty for having him play in the Ryder Cup back in 1960. The date should have been 1991. Sorry, David.
I I I
Tip of the week — Use a light grip on your putter. If not, tension will flow up through your wrists and forearms, and that will spell trouble.
Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Rub of the Green
RUB OF THE GREEN: Rick Fernandes can look back on a great golf career
- Rub of the Green
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Rub of the Green: Bowling or golf? Both provide plenty of challenge
The question has been raised in the past, is it bowling or golf that is the more difficult endeavor?
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Sometimes this can be a confounding game
To be sure, the great Sam Snead certainly knew what he was talking about when he delivered his favorite axiom, “The sun don’t shine on the same dog every day.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Grayless takes over as golf professional at Hulman Links
Ed Grayless has assumed the “head man’s” position at the Links after Ryan Klopfenstein resigned as Hulman Links golf professional in order to pursue other interests.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Young players should match course to skills
One of the biggest mistakes a beginning golfer can make is to keep playing a golf course that is far too difficult for the ability demonstrated by that player.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: On the lanes or links, Davis is competitive
Darrell Davis carries a 240 bowling average which obviously puts him in some strong company on the alleys, but he feels that golf is a much more difficult sport than keggling.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Loquacious golfers can provide priceless quotes
Golfers always seem to have a great deal to say, but determining who said what and who said it first can be a problem.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Rick Fernandes can look back on a great golf career
What does an outstanding golfer have left when an accident has robbed him of the consummate skills he once possessed? The answer most assuredly would be one word, “Memories.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Feherty’s humor good for golf
David Feherty is an extremely funny man. If you have read his book written a few years ago, you might have guessed what to expect from him. The book, entitled “Somewhere in Ireland a Village is Missing an Idiot,” set the stage for his far out brand of humor, most of which is directed at himself.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: It's all in your head
A pair of divot diggers had been discussing their favorite sport when one could be heard saying, “You know, I think this game is 90 percent mental.” After a short pause his friend replied, “Well, I think you’re about 10 percent short in your estimation.”
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Golf: ‘The Game You Love to Hate’
Golf has been called “The Game You Love to Hate.” In addition, love-hate relationships have been around since the beginning of time.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf is only sport that offers both hilarity, pathos
It’s been stated more than once that “golf is a microcosm for life itself.”
This writer would heartily agree. No sport or game can offer combinations of happiness and sadness, hilarity and pathos as evidenced by an activity called “cow pasture pool” by some of its practitioners. -
RUB OF THE GREEN: Even golfers say there is drug problem on Tour
Are professional golfers using performance-enhancing drugs? This writer wouldn’t have the foggiest, but if you asked Gary Player, one of the game’s greatest, the answer would be a resounding, “Yes.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Not all golfers display their trophies
Back in the “old days,” let’s say the 1940s, most of the time when you won something in a golf tournament your prize came in the form of a trophy. That was it, just a dust catcher. Later, merchandise prizes were added.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf full of colorful characters
Every sport has its own cast of characters and golf is definitely no exception. Whether it is diving head first into a greenside bunker or tying an unreliable putter to a car’s bumper and dragging it down the road, golfers can do some strange things.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Winter made golf impossible this year
Old Man Winter along with Mother Nature must have something against area golfers. They have joined forces to sabotage a sport called winter golf, an activity many Wabash Valley players have enjoyed in years gone by.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf instruction a strenuous art
Few who have ever tried their hands at playing the game of golf would describe the sport as “easy”. In fact, just the opposite would be the case.
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BOB ARNETT: No matter what your level, watch out for pressure
What is the affliction that can affect most any golfer from those who can’t break an egg to skilled golfers who can break 70?
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RUB OF THE GREEN: THGA tournaments include variety, long history
In days gone by, the Terre Haute Golf Association has always offered more than just a 72-hole stroke play tournament.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: PGA playoff system still needs work
Is anyone fed up with the convoluted Fed Ex playoffs? The PGA has been tweaking its so-called Fed Ex playoff system for years, and they never seem to get it right.
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Rub of the Green: Golf can be roller coaster for young pros
Dustin Johnson may be best remembered for his appearances in the major tournaments in 2010, but not because he won. He didn’t win. But he came awfully close.
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Rub of the Green: One size does NOT fit all when it comes to golfing ability
Literally hundreds of books have been written on the subject of golf instruction, and we can be certain they all agree on one fundamental, always keep your head stationary throughout the swing.
Right? Nope, wrong as it could be! How’s that, you say? As examples both David Duval and Annika Sorenstam at one time were rated the world’s No. 1 professional golfers, respectively, and both swiveled their heads well before their clubheads reached the impact zone. In fact, Duval is one of a select few who has a 59 to his credit on the PGA Tour. -
Rub of the Green: Gerstmeyer Tech’s reknown Les Brown made his mark in plethora of sports
Les Brown never had a middle name, not even a middle initial. What he did have was an abundance of athletic ability that he utilized to earn letters in five different sports during his senior year at Gerstmeyer Technical High School.
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Rub of the Green: An inspiring walk of 1,000 miles
Watching the young man on the TV screen move from place to place was like watching the human body battle itself. It seemed as though his arms and legs each wanted to go in separate directions, as he flailed about with only a cane to steady himself.
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Rub of the Green: From fundraiser to reunited, game of golf wears many different ‘hats’
The game of golf can take on many different characteristics, depending on the objectives of those sponsoring the events. Golf may be played as a tribute or a memorial to the deceased. It may be a time of camaraderie that unites old friends.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Excursions are a tradition for many Terre Haute golfers
Many divot diggers enjoy excursions to play golf courses that offer new and different challenges. Terre Haute can certainly testify to the truth of that with some groups having hit the road for many decades.
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Rub of the Green: Was 1960 really the ‘Greatest Year in Golf’?
Listening to Willie Nelson warble the lyrics, “Ain’t it funny how time slips away?” reminds this writer that those words are incorrect on two counts. One, it is not funny to get old. The late Bob Bundy often stated, “Old age is not for sissies.” And two, time doesn’t just slip away, it tends to streak on at a full gallop. At least, that’s the felling you get when you qualify for the Methuselah Flight of your club championship.
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Rub of the Green: Basketball coaching legend Wooden could hold his own on golf course
The name John Wooden doesn’t just “ring a bell” with Indiana basketball aficionados; it resounds like a canon shot. No doubt about it, John Wooden is someone special, and that is a gross understatement.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Can Tiger Woods successfully make over his me-first image?
“Pain, despair and agony on me” are the words of a comical song made popular on an old TV program titled “Hee-Haw.” The refrain might have been heard again if you had occasion to drive by the Tiger Woods residence in the gated community of Isleworth, Fla., as the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday wound down, but this time no one was laughing.
- Rub of the Green: Course architect Pete Dye has had lasting impression on game It would seem that the more you learn about Pete Dye, the golf course architect, the more there is to admire about the man. It was decades ago when Dye determined that the insurance business was not for him, and he decided to begin designing golf courses. Even Pete, himself, in all likelihood, couldn’t have known the impact he was going to make on the golf world.
- RUB OF THE GREEN: French Lick course a treasure With pristine fairways, greens and bunkers providing a colorful patchwork, the course provides onlookers with the opportunity to witness some of the best experiences Mother Nature can provide.
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