TERRE HAUTE —
In days gone by, the Terre Haute Golf Association has always offered more than just a 72-hole stroke play tournament.
For example, top players in the tourney usually kept their sights on what score it would take to make what was always called, “The Feature Foursome.” This would mean that the low four players would be paired together for the final 18.
If a tie developed for the fourth position, those names would be placed in a hat and a blind draw would ensue. The final round in those days was held at Country Club of Terre Haute where a sizeable gallery would usually congregate.
The player with the low qualifying score was deemed “medalist” and rewarded with a trophy and a merchandise award.
In earlier days the city’s senior champion was determined by that 50 or older player who fired the low 72 hole total. I recall a player who would never sign up for the seniors’ competition even though he had passed the 50 mark.
He didn’t want his lady friend to know his age.
Some of his “so called” friends would slip around and submit his name without his knowledge. He won the “seniors” on more than one occasion.
He never learned who had exposed him and revealed his true age.
In addition, a city team championship was a part of the tourney. When a player signed up for the competition, he indicated which course or club he represented. A traveling trophy was presented to the professional at that course with individual awards going to the low four players with the best 72 hole totals.
A huge traveling trophy was presented to the city champ and another one went to the runner-up. After Gene Verostko had won the champion’s traveling trophy three or four times, someone determined that whoever won that huge, four or five foot trophy the most times out of ten should get to keep it. Since Gene already had his name inscribed on it several times, they thought it should not be retired. Verostko settled the argument by taking the monstrosity out to the Elks Fort Harrison course and throwing it into the Wabash River. Even when he had won it, he never took it home with him leaving it at the location where the city banquet was held, such as the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars. The trophy was huge, but definitely not attractive.
One year, Roger Van Dyke, an outstanding player from Casey, Ill., finished third, one stroke out of second. He was overheard saying, “One shot certainly makes a big difference.” He had watched the second place finisher load up the permanent and traveling runner-up trophies as well as awards for medalist and team championships and a merchandise certificate to boot.
Van Dyke would turn pro at a later date and on one occasion he scored a hole in one in the Buick Open and took home a new Buick for his efforts.
Besides being a prolific player, Roger has always taken a special interest in junior golf. He is and always has been a “class act.”
One thing is certain, Terre Haute Golf Association and its sponsors have consistently presented an outstanding golf tournament which would never take a “back seat” to any city tourney in the entire country.
Chad Collins, now ranks 105 on the PGA money list with $797,395 in earnings. With the 2010 season winding down, he has an excellent opportunity to finish in the top 125 and earn his PGA card for the 2011 season.
Presently, Chad leads such luminaries as David Duval, Ben Curtis, Aaron Baddeley, Woody Austin, Billy Mayfair and Mike Weir.
Congratulations to Dave Brown who recently qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. Unless you have been there, qualifying for a national golf tournament is a most difficult feat. It takes talent plus. It’s only when you try your hand at qualifying for a U.S. Amateur or the U.S. Senior Open that you realize how many talented golfers are out there. Good luck in the tournament, Dave.
In the good old days of 1965, Jimmy Claus, sports editor for the “Terre Haute Tribune” interviewed Rea Park Pro, Mike Kaperak. Mike indicated that Terre Haute had the cheapest golf of any course in the entire country.
To play all day at Rea Park the fee was one dollar. Weekends and holidays raised green fees to $1.25. Hard to believe!
If you want to gallery some outstanding golfers, head out to Hulman Links and follow some excellent amateurs as they “light up” the course.
Strong players to watch include, Rich Schelsky, Troy Farris, Chris Cassell, Travis Turpen, Kyle Stevenson, Scott Hess, Denny Bryan and Terre Haute Golf Association President, Ryan Roscoe.
Others include Dave Brown, Mark Harvey, Tom Jones, Adam Wood, Fred Reynolds, Stu Johnson, Ted Kaperak, Dean Williams, and Brandon Bekkering.
It took one over par golf for 36 holes to qualify for the Championship Flight.
• Tip of the week — When playing slick greens, keep those approach shots below the hole. You’ll not be plagued by three-putts and you will be happy with the outcome.
Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Bob Arnett can be reached by e-mail at subob@aol.com.
Rub of the Green
RUB OF THE GREEN: THGA tournaments include variety, long history
- Rub of the Green
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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
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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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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.
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