TERRE HAUTE — Memorials, monuments, testimonials and remembrances may be found in a variety of places, not the least of which are golf courses.
At the beginning of the current golf season, Jim Peo and Gene Verostko were honored at City Hall for their services to Terre Haute’s golfing community.
Peo was recognized for his contributions as head professional at Hulman Links from the course’s inception in 1978 until 2004. Verostko, an 18-time city champion, was honored for the 26 years he had served as a member of the Terre Haute Park Board.
Two benches, suitably inscribed, now sit on the porch at Hulman Links. They pay tribute to the services Peo and Verostko, respectively, have rendered to Terre Haute golfers.
A large stone monument near Hulman Links’ first tee is inscribed as follows: “When you believe in yourself, you are always in the game. In memory of Joe Rozgony.” Joe was certainly one of Terre Haute’s most popular players.
Halfway up the cart path to Hulman’s number-four tee, a monument may be found that reads, “Harry Burk, truly a golfer’s friend.” This stone was provided by Ann and Artie Meeks, a pair of the most recognizable players at Hulman Links.
Larry “Red” Hartman is remembered with a bench by Hulman’s 16th tee placed there by his friends. On it is also inscribed Larry “Red” Hartman, Everybody’s friend. Also inscribed is one of Red’s favorite putting tips which indicates, “Push it down the line.”
Two additional benches can be found on the Hulman Links veranda. Both inscriptions say “To our friend.” One honors Ed Scott, an outstanding track coach and teacher at Wiley High School and later at South Vigo. This was made available by longtime friends and golfing buddies, E.V. “Curly” Halt, Knute Johnson and Paul “Shorty” Thomas.
Another bench recognizes Thomas, a popular basketball coach and principal. This remembrance was sponsored by E.V. Halt, former Wiley basketball coach and later principal at Terre Haute South, and Knute Johnson, a most adept teacher, baseball coach and athletic director at Wabash Valley schools.
A tree at the side of No. 9 at Rea Park commemorates the life of Bill Holloway, father of Jon Holloway, director of golf in Terre Haute and head pro at Hulman Links. Bill Holloway also demonstrated one of the finest golf swings ever to grace a Terre Haute fairway.
A monument inscribed “In memory of Paul Bosc,” is visible near the entrance to the Elks Fort Harrison Pro Shop, placed there by his son, Kenny.
Another stone, flanked by a pair of bushes next to the Elks’ tenth hole, states, “In memory of Eileen and Paul Bosc. Ladies 18 hole golf league.”
A tree in memory of Bill Niemeyer is being readied and will be placed on the Elks’ 13th hole. The bench near the 16th tee at the Elks bears the inscription, “Charles Kenny Miller-To granddad with love.” The bench was constructed by Kenny’s grandson.
A tree in memory of Dr. Jim Bopp now grows at the back of the 15th tee at the Elks course near the spot where one of the city’s most enthusiastic golfers suffered a fatal heart attack.
Metal plaques are often in evidence, and several dot the Elks Fort Harrison golf course. One, near the first tee reads, “In memory of Robert Hargis, Sr. from friends and neighbors.” Another by the 11th tee states, “In memory of Jim Cox, Clinton Cable-Thursday Golf League.” Still another located to the left of No. 1 is in memory of Mid and Arch Dunbar.
Other metal plaques near the ninth green at the Elks course are in memory of Jodie Denehie and Itsy Drew. They bear the inscription “Tuesday 9 Hole League.”
While this list of memorials is in no way complete, it does show the reverence golfers have for their golfing friends and relatives.
At Mark’s Par Three golf course, family and friends of George Moody and Stony Hobson gather annually for a tourney to honor the departed but not forgotten.
It’s even rumored that the ashes of one golfer now reside in the lake adjacent to No. 18 fairway at Hulman Links. When the perpetrator of this act was asked why he did it, he replied, “Well, since he spent most of his time hooking tee shots into that pond, I thought that’s where he should be.”
It’s obviously evident that sometimes memorials are not always a somber affair.
• Congratulations are in order to Chris Keen, Terre Haute Golf Association President, for presiding over an outstanding city tourney and additional kudos to Dave Brown for annexing his second city title. A sizeable gallery was treated to a tense finish as Troy Farris and Brown came down to the final hole before the winner was decided.
• Age a great score — Age shooters are flourishing at the Elks Fort Harrison Country Club. Dick Nicoson has joined the list who have bettered their ages. Don James accomplished the feat in a big way recently when he recorded a red-hot 67, eight shots lower than his age.
Turk Roman fired a pair of 68s during a 10-day period to make beating his age a ho-hum event. Denny Overberg and Gary Turner continue to vie for the title of most improved golfer at the Elks course.
The first South Vigo Alumni Scramble is open to one and all at the Marshall Illinois Golf Club on Saturday. Entry fee of $25 covers green fees, cart and prizes. Enter as a team or an individual and be paired. Proceeds will benefit the South Vigo athletic department.
Registration will be at 8 a.m. EDT with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.
Call (217) 826-2404 for further details.
•Tip of the week — The U.S. Ryder Cup Team showed a surprising ineptitude when it came down to playing “two-man” golf. Knowing your partner’s strengths and weaknesses is important in two-ball or four-ball competitions. Playing a goodly number of practice rounds with your teammate is important, something the United States squad may have overlooked.
Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Bob Arnett can be reached by e-mail at subob@aol.com.
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Rub of the Green: Memorials a common site on Valley courses
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