When it comes to winning club championships it would appear that amiable Ron Holmes has held a “corner on the market” while winning a total of 28 of these titles throughout his 50 years as an amateur golfer.
By 1998 Holmes had captured 20 club championships at Country Club of Terre Haute. He added seven more at Grenelefe C. C. in Haines City, FL. And he topped it off with one more at Green Tree C. C. in Indianapolis, a course that once was the site of a PGA Tourney held in conjunction with the 500 Mile Race.
If you have ever watched Ron swing a golf club you would have witnessed poetry in motion.
Holmes has also won the Terre Haute City Seniors crown on four occasions. A few years back Ron tied for first in the Indiana Senior Amateur at Prestwick C. C. in Avon before settling for runner-up honors after a sudden death playoff. He has twice been runner-up in the Terre Haute City Championship.
You might think that a golfer of Holmes stature got an early start in learning the intricacies of golf, but that was not the case. As an “all-around” athlete while attending high school in Seymour, and at Cathedral High in Indianapolis, Holmes pitched for the baseball team, captained the basketball team, and quarterbacked the football team, but he didn’t play golf.
As a scholarship college athlete Holmes played baseball and basketball for Butler University before transferring to Murray State where he also received a scholarship in both baseball and basketball. It was later that Holmes served an eight-year stint in the U.S. Army Reserve. After rising to the rank of captain, he retired and took a serious interest in golf; a prelude that would lead to a most memorable golfing career.
In recalling a highlight of his golfing experiences, Holmes quickly answers, “Some time ago I had the opportunity to play Augusta National Golf Club, the home of The Masters. Everything about Augusta is done to perfection. The course is superb and every aspect of its operation is first rate. I played the course twice and scored rounds of 79 and 80.”
Another Terre Hautean who has played Augusta National on multiple occasions is Jack Ragle who remembers, “I was on the fifth green, the hardest hole on the course in my estimation, with a downhill putt when my caddy said, ‘Just touch that putt Mr. Jack, that’s all, just touch it.’ I touched it and it sped quickly off the green. Cliff Roberts, a co-founder of the course, was looking on.”
As a testimonial to Ron Holmes’ iron play, he has scored seven holes-in-one, two accomplished with a two iron. One was made at Grenelefe during a special tourney and Ron’s portion of the prize pot for an ace totaled $350. It was the duty of the winner to buy the drinks. Later when Ron received the bill for the drinks, the total of $596. In golf, sometimes you lose even when you win.
Holmes low scores include a course record 65 at Grenelefe and another 65 at C.C. of T. H. Ron has shot his age each year from the time he was 67 until the present. He is 73.
His golfing has earned him an induction to the Terre Haute Golf Hall of Fame, an honor he richly deserves.
Holmes has had the pleasure of playing many of the top ranked courses in the United States. They include: LaCosta, Doral, San Francisco Golf Club, Merion, Olympic Club, Bellerive, San Francisco C. C. and of course, Augusta National.
Ron Holmes and his wife, the former Judy Goheen, have parented three children. Their son Jeff passed away several years ago, and his parents and sons, Taylor and Brady, survive him.
The Holmes’ son, Bret, and his wife, Nicole, are parents of Alexa, Samantha and Matthew. Daughter Amy and her husband, Jeff Thixton, are the parents of Tye and Trey Thixton.
While Judy is an accomplished tennis player, all grandsons have exhibited an interest in baseball in addition to their favorite sport. There certainly could be some more proficient golfers or tennis players named Holmes in the offing.
In this writer’s estimation, you could look far and wide and still not find a golfer who exudes the charisma, the character and the class that Ron Holmes has demonstrated throughout his golfing experiences.
n Tip of the week — Poor shots are a fact of life in the game of golf. The proficient player is one who can forget those “clinkers” and come back with an excellent swing that results in an outstanding shot. Forget the past and concentrate on the next shot if you want to be an outstanding player.
Rub of the Green
Rub of the Green: Holmes held ‘corner on the market’ of club championships
- 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: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Suspects Butt Dial 911, Lead to Arrest
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
Raw: Okla. Tornado Aftermath 'Like War Zone'
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Active Search for Utah Missing Mom Ends
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school
Trailer: 'The Last Stand' Available on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Robert Pattinson Moves Out
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
Oklahoma tornado survivor: "Everything is gone"
Khloe Lashes Out at Kim Kardashian's Critics
Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window
RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song
Justin Bieber Gets Booed
New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos
Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction
Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom
Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip
Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
Celebs Celebrate the Rise of the Side Butt
Grizzly bear gets up close and personal with camera
Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards
