|
[Home] [Search] [Table of Contents] |
Word from the Prez
Hi Golfers:
Another winter has passed and arent we now getting itchy feet to go out on the golf course again. Just recently I played at the Ridges near Auburn, California with my sons. This is the same place where the Far West Deaf Golf Association had its tournament several years ago. It really gave me a good vibe getting back to the greens and the fresh air.
This summer will be the second tournament that we will entertain the handicap system. I received some comments since the MDGA has its first experiment with the handicap last summer at Indianapolis, Ind. The comments are both positive and negative.
The better golfers have always been in the money group but with the handicap system they found themselves out of the usual money. Those who played before just for fun now find themselves competing for the prize money. Last summer we proudly crowned a new champion in the Senior group based exclusively on handicap.
What I like best about the handicap system is that ANYONE can be in the money in a MDGA tournament. It is now more challenging to any golfer to do better than what they usually do.
We are getting inquiries from other golfers anxious to try the MDGA out this summer. I hope this attracts many golfers of any skill and challenges the good golfers to try to shoot below their average. In the past tournaments we can assume which golfers will be in the upper group but in last summers tournament it was different!
Those who had participated in the past MDGA tournaments in the last three years will have their handicaps set up. Those new to MDGA have several options to set their handicaps at this summers tournament.
1. Scores from the other deaf tournaments,
2. USGA handicap cards,
3. Verified scores from various tournaments may be qualified.
We definitely must know the course slope and course rating. If no scores are available, we will go with a handicap set up after three days of golfing in the tournament.
Please feel free to contact me at jim.potter@deskmedia.com or Darrell Hovinen at DeafGolfNut@aol.com for any questions relating to the handicap system.
Till August,
Jim
Welcome to Lincoln, Nebraska!
It will be the first time ever that the MDGA/MDLGA will be hosted in Nebraska. The Woodlands Hills Golf Course will be very challenging for the competitors. The MDLGA will be hosted at Crooked Creek Golf Course.
The golf courses are highly respected, as Woodland Hills is ranked #17 in one of the best Public Golf Courses in U.S. and the #1 golf course in Nebraska. The scenery is very beautiful and exquisite. The Crooked Creek Golf Course is a very good golf course and it is one of my most favorite places to go golfing.
The Nebraska Deaf golfers committee is proud to welcome you to Lincoln, Nebraska in August. We are looking forwards to making your visit to Lincoln, Nebraska an enjoyable experience. I have put in a request to Mother Nature to have good weather during the tournament, and lets hope that will happen.
In August, we often have very hot days and please take precautions for that. It will be a challenge for all of us to play in this weather as well as the golf courses. You will have a very memorable and enjoyable experience during your stay here.
The claws of the Eagle, Nebraska await you!
Michael Rentschler
2004 MDGA Chairman
Kevin Hall, Ohio State University
Kevin Hall, a senior at Ohio State University, has been playing some fantastic golf this spring. He recently received his second Big Ten Golfer of the Week award this season.
As of April 26, 2004, Kevin played 30 rounds in his senior year. His stroke average is 73.3 and his low round is 65 on April 10th. He has six rounds below 70 this season. I wonder what he would shoot if he played in a MDGA tourney.
Kevin graduated from St. Rita School for the Deaf in Cincinnati, Ohio. The folks in Cincinnati must be very proud of Kevin. It would be nice to have him play in a future MDGA tourney, but most likely he will try to play his golf on the professional tours.
Multiple MDGA Champions
7 Bill Roberts (Missouri 1991 through 1996, 2000)
6 Michael Maxwell (Wisconsin 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988 through 1990)
5 Herbert Deurmyer (Nebraska 1950 through 1953, 1957)
5 Norman Artz (Ohio 1965, 1968, 1984, 1987, 1998) 33 years between first and last time
4 Jack Kunz (Minnesota 1956, 1960, 1961, 1976) Oldest Champion at 61 years of age
3 Clyde Heberlein (Wisconsin 1949, 1955, 1958)
3 Richard Opseth (Minnesota 1962, 1964, 1966)
3 Bob Bouchillion (Mississippi 1967, 1969, 1970)
3 Arthur Gendreau (Minnesota 1973, 1977, 1978)
2 Ray Kessenich (Wisconsin 1947, 1954)
2 George Dudas (Pennsylvania 1963, 1975)
2 William Tonigan (Maryland 1974, 2002)
Southeastern Deaf Golfers Tournament
The Mason-Dixon Deaf Golfers are the host of this year's 35th annual SEDGA tournament in Frederick, Maryland on June 22 through 24. Here is their website and you can send e-mail to SEDGA2004@aol.com for more information.
http://www.mddga.org/sedga/index.shtml
Go to http://www.musketridge.com/ and see the beautiful picture of the first green on the Musket Ridge golf course in nearby Myersville, Maryland. There are views of both the Blue Ridge and Catoctin Mountains on this golf course.
The deadline for entry is June 1st. The late fee is $25 for all entries after this date.
Frederick, Maryland is only 50 miles from Baltimore and Washington, DC. It is the home of the Francis Scott Key (Maryland) School for the Deaf.
Interesting Golf Fact
Metal woods are used everywhere today. William Mills, working for the Standard Golf Company of Sunderland, England, first developed them in 1896, more than 100 years ago.
Golfing Words of Wisdom
"Give me golf clubs, fresh air, and a beautiful partner, and you can keep the golf clubs and the fresh air." Jack Benny
"I never pray on the golf course. Actually, the Lord answers my prayers everywhere except on the course." Rev. Billy Graham
"If you think it is hard to meet new people, pick up the wrong golf ball." Unknown
Future MDGA Tournaments
2005 Red Wing, Minnesota (August 2-3-4)
2006 Gaylord, Michigan (August 1-2-3)
2007 Jacksonville, Illinois (July 31 August 2)
2008 Iowa (August 5-6-7)