The Terre Haute Golf Association’s Hall of Fame added four names to its membership roster recently. Inductees included Rick Fernandes and Ron Poore, Sr., whereas posthumous recognition was accorded Dave McCampbell and Ron Poore Jr.
Rick Fernandes moved to Terre Haute from Detroit with his family after helping his Thurston High School team place fourth in the Michigan High School State Championship.
As a senior at North Vigo in 1975, Rick quickly won the No. 1 position on the Patriots’ golf team.
After graduation, Fernandes entered Indiana State University where he not only earned the right to play the No. 1 position during the 1977, ‘78 and ‘79 seasons but also was named ISU’s Most Valuable Player each of those three years.
Fernandes took individual honors in five tournaments during his collegiate career, culminating in the Gateway Conference Championship. That win qualified him for the right to participate in the NCAA Championship.
As a result of his sterling play at Indiana State, Rick was selected as a Division I All America golfer, where he joined such luminaries as Mark O’Meara, Payne Stewart, Fred Couples, Corey Pavin and Bob Tway. After college, Fernandes was selected as a member of Indiana State University Sports Hall of Fame. Fernandes annexed a pair of THGA City Championships in 1979 and 1980.
He would go on to join the professional ranks and earn checks in 13 of 23 events he entered while competing on the Space Coast Tour. Rick also won the Indiana-Wilson Assistant Professionals Championship with a 68 at Honeywell Golf Club in Wabash, Ind.
During his playing career, he shot scores of 64 on eight occasions, along with three holes in one. He also teamed with Todd Smith to win an Indiana PGA Championship. After sustaining severe injuries in a massive explosion at his residence, Rick fought back not only to play some outstanding golf, but also to serve as head professional at Elks Fort Harrison Golf Club.
Later, Rick would require bilateral hip replacements which unfortunately were complicated by infection. After that setback, continuing problems with his foot would result in amputation below the knee as well as further hip surgery, all related to the explosion which many were amazed he survived.
While Rick Fernandes’ playing days have passed, he can look back on an outstanding career as a high school and college player, a gifted amateur and a capable professional. He will always be an important part of Terre Haute’s golf history and will be remembered as one of the city’s strongest competitors.
• • •
Ron Poore Sr. developed a solid golf game at an early age. This was exemplified by his win in the Terre Haute Junior Championship in 1965.
Poore was also a three-year member of Gerstmeyer’s golf team where he held the No. 1 position during his junior and senior years.
Poore captured the Lawrenceville (Ill.) Open in 1972. The Lawrenceville tourney has attracted dozens of Terre Haute entries since its inception back in the early 1950s. Proving his win was no fluke, Poore Sr. went back to win the title again in 1991.
Along the way, he captured the Rockville Amateur. He also added the McMillan Sports Golf Championship to his resume. This was the first year it was changed to a stroke play tourney after many years as the Terre Haute Match Play Championship.
Strong showings in club championships resulted in a pair of runner-up finishes in both Rea Park and Hulman Links Club Championships. Poore Sr. also has a pair of fourth-place finishes in Terre Haute City Championships. Additionally, he has six holes in one to his credit.
In 1993, Ron teamed with his son Ron Jr. to win the Indiana Golf Association’s Father-Son Tourney played at Tippecanoe Country Club in Monticello.
After the untimely and tragic deaths of Poore Jr. and his friend Ron Daugherty, Poore Sr. established with his wife, Marge, Dave Rowlett and Larry Hayes, the Ron Poore, Jr.,-Ron Daugherty Memorial Scholarship Golf Scramble. This event benefits not only boys and girls golf teams at North, South, West Vigo, and Northview, but also selected students planning on continuing their education after high school. To date, the tournament as raised more than 90,000 dollars. Ron Poore, Sr. has made important contributions to Terre Haute golf as a player and promoter of the game.
• • •
Dave McCampbell, son of Helen and Bob McCampbell compiled a most enviable record as an amateur golfer and as a professional. Although his residence was in Marshall, Ind., he made Hulman Links his home course during much of his golfing career.
During the nine year period from 1982 through 1990, McCampbell won five Terre Haute Golf Association City Championships. He also qualified for a pair of United States Golf Association Amateur Championships. Each required him to place among the low 144 entries from more than 10,000 talented amateurs throughout the United States.
Along the way, Dave found time to win four Hulman Links Club Championships as well as multiple titles at Rea Park. He also won the Spaghetti Open, the Parke County Amateur, and the Greenwood Open where he shot 67 at Valle Vista Golf Club.
To say that Dave McCampbell was an outstanding golfer would be a masterpiece of understatement. McCampbell’s golf game displayed no weakness. A long accurate driver, he consistently hit iron shots that finished near the flags. Added to these qualities was his astounding ability with the putter
When those qualities were combined, only one word would characterize Dave McCampbell, and that would be “champion”. With a gracious demeanor both on and off the golf course, he made friends wherever he traveled.
Later in his golfing career, Dave would turn professional and go on to win Indiana’s most prestigious tournament, The Indiana Open, contested at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel.
Playing in tourneys in Florida, Dave would win Hooters’ Championships on several occasions.
At the age of 45, Dave McCampbell lost a courageous, three year battle with cancer. His absence left a void in Terre Haute golf circles, but one thing is certain, Dave McCampbell the golfer, the friend, the competitor won’t be forgotten.
• • •
Ron Poore, Jr., wasted no time getting involved in the game of golf. By the age of eight, he was honing his putting stroke on Rea Park’s putting green and challenging the men coming off the golf course with the words, “Hey mister, would you like to putt for quarters?”
Ron Poore, Jr. won the boys’ division of the Terre Haute Junior four times from the ages of 11 through 14. He would also win the junior division twice.
At Terre Haute North, Ron was presented the prestigious Gold Medal Award for golf, four straight years. He helped the Patriots advance to the IHSAA finals on three occasions. Along the way he set an individual scoring record in regional competition with a round of 69 at Christmas Lake Golf Club in Santa Claus, Ind. His outstanding play in high school earned him All-State honors.
While participating in junior competition, Ron qualified for the U.S.G.A. Junior which was played in Vail, Colorado. He also qualified for the National Insurance Junior Tournament conducted at Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Ron Poore, Jr., teamed with his father, Ron Sr. to win the Indiana Golf Association’s Father-Son Championship at Tippecanoe Country Club in Monticello, Ind.
Many colleges offered Ron scholarships, but he decided on Western Kentucky where he lettered all four years, and also won individual honors in the Murray State Invitational.
He shot a final-nine 33 at the rugged Wolf Run course to tie Randy Nichols for a spot in the U.S. Amateur Championship. Nichols was the top amateur in Indianapolis at that time. After beating Nichols in a playoff, Ronnie played in the tourney held at The Honors Golf Club in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Arriving late for his practice round, Poore Jr. was taken out to the eighth tee, a 185-yard par 3. He took out a 5-iron and hit his shot directly into the cup. Poore and Dave McCampbell are the only two Terre Haute golfers to qualify for the USGA Amateur.
As an amateur, Ron Jr. also won the Hulman Links Club Championship. By 1996, he was hired as the head professional at Forest Park Golf Course in Brazil where he worked diligently to produce a number of outstanding junior players.
Despite Ron Poore Jr.’s life being cut short due to a tragic auto accident, he will long be remembered as an outstanding player and a great friend to the many who were fortunate to have known him.
• • •
• One of the city’s most respected golfers, Willard Kayser, passed away at the age of 95 recently. Willard won city championships in 1934 and 1943. He also was a charter member of the THGA Hall of Fame.
• Congratulations to the Hulman Links squad for their recent win in the annual Interclub Golf Championship. Also, kudos to Tom Jones who led the winners with a three under 68 on the Allendale course.
Tribune-Star golf columnist Bob Arnett can be reached by e-mail at subob@aol.com.
Rub of the Green
Rub of the Green: Four golfers join Terre Haute Golf Association’s Hall of Fame
- Rub of the Green
-
-
RUB OF THE GREEN: Ryder Cub drama a great part of American sports scene
The recent Ryder Cup matches are over, but not done with! At the time the final match had concluded the “talking heads” had already gone to work assessing blame to those who didn’t live up to their preconceived expectations.
-
Snedeker the big winner after FedEx Championship
The season-long FedEx Championship has finally come to an end and Brandt Snedeker may need a Brinks truck to haul his winnings to the bank.
-
RUB OF THE GREEN: Memories of Crooked Stick
The BMW tournament that concluded Sept. 9 at Crooked Stick in Carmel brought back a flood of memories.
-
RUB OF THE GREEN: "Fair Joe" known expects rules to be followed in local hunts
Fair Joe is the name and golf is the game when referring to Joe Bukovack, who has sponsored hunts in Terre Haute as well as throughout Indiana during the past 25 years.
The “Fair” in Joe’s title refers to the fact that players who wish to participate in Bukovack’s competition must be willing to follow the rules of golf to the letter, otherwise they will not be invited to participate. -
RUB OF THE GREEN: Enjoying the game after all these years
When golf is referred to as “The Game for a Lifetime,” you’ve got to believe that description is definitely on target. For example, there is the Danny Williams hunt that converges on the first tee at The Landing on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Many players are in their 70s and retired dentist, Bill Aikin, has seen 92 birthdays.
-
RUB OF THE GREEN: Hunts still popular on golf course
There is something about golf that lends itself to some friendly competition and in times gone by, the competitions were called “choose-ups.” Somewhere along the line, choose-ups became “hunts.” Regardless of what you call them, they remain a most popular mode of play for Terre Haute divot-diggers on courses throughout the Wabash Valley.
-
RUB OF THE GREEN: Heat doesn’t deter Terre Haute golfers
“When you’re hot, you’re hot, and when you’re not, you’re not.” Those are the words of country singer Jerry Reed and they apply to golfers as well.
-
Rub of the Green: Father’s golf imprint still evident today
I was lucky and I knew it. My father, Robert Erwin Arnett, was one of the best dads any youngster could hope for.
-
RUB OF THE GREEN: Hogan, small of stature, left big footprints
With the Crowne Plaza Invitational being played at Colonial Country Club today, it conjures up images of the man himself, Bantam Ben Hogan, who won so often at Colonial it became known as “Hogan’s Alley.”
-
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?
-
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.”
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.”
-
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.
-
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.”
-
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.
-
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.”
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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?
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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. - More Rub of the Green Headlines
-
RUB OF THE GREEN: Ryder Cub drama a great part of American sports scene
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
High Wire Spectacle Thrills Crowd in Austria
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Today in History May 24
Britain Braces for Possible Copycat Attacks
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
ShowBiz Minute: Shelton, King, Lopez
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Young protestor goes viral on Youtube
Toronto Mayor says he's not a crack head
Maine island offers lighthouse getaway
Should We Prepare for Quakes?
Lynn Kindergarten Class Rescues Ducklings
Congressional gold medal awarded to civil rights heroes
Charles Ramsey visits Kentucky
Unique Display Greets Guests At Revel Casino
Cape Cod Train Service Worries Residents
BASE jumper rides snowmobile off cliff to honor dead friend
SHOCKING: School Guard Throws Girl Down Stairs
Star Wars X-Wing Star Fighter Made of Legos
Actress Amanda Bynes Arrested in New York
Singer Psy Has An Imposter
President Obama Heckled at National Security Speech
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
More lewd photos may soon come out: Weiner
