2005 Spring Newsletter

Message from the Host

As CO-Chairpersons, Dick and I would like to say a few words about OUR upcoming golf tournament that will be held in Red Wing, Minnesota this summer. (Hey...you guys better start practice hitting golf balls!)

Before we start, we want to say CONGRATULATIONS to Mike Rentschler and his committee for their successful golf tournament last year at Lincoln, Nebraska. (HANDS WAVING!!!)

Okay, now let us say something about the golf tournament that we will be playing at the Mississippi National Golf Links at Red Wing. They have two 18-hole championship golf courses. These courses are excellent and very challenging! In Wisconsin, several years ago, MDGA played in two 18-hole golf courses and that was the last time ...so we are looking forward to do that again!

We recommend all of you golfers to stay at the Treasure Island Resort & Casino. Please make your reservations in advance. We are sure that they will give you coupons to use at the many different venues to play and dine too!

The city of Red Wing is a nice, historical town along the banks of Mississippi River. There are well-known factories, for example, the Red Wing Shoes/Pottery factories. There are other interesting places to see as well; so come over here and enjoy all what Red Wing has to offer.

Golfers, if you have a computer, please click http://www.mdga2005.citymax.com/page/page/1687034.htm to browse. Should you have any questions about the tournament, please contact one of us under that website. Okay! Thanks!

Hope to see you golfers. Come one...come all!!!

Golfingly yours,
Doug Schnoor and Dick Chadwick
Word from the Prez

You are reading these words from someone else for the first time in 13 years. Jim Potter did a wonderful job as MDGA President from 1993 to 2004. Have no worries, he plans to be around for years to come.

Watching the Masters golf tournament, I was impressed with the play of Chris DiMarco in the last round. Everybody knew Tiger Woods has never lost a major tournament when he had the lead after 54 holes. DiMarco did not think about that. He kept hitting golf shots, his putter did not behave very well, but he kept on going. It took three perfect shots in the playoff to beat DiMarco.

My point is “No matter what happens on the golf course, never give up”. By the way, the Masters is my “official” start of spring; I don’t care what the calendar says.

I’m looking forward to going back to Minnesota and getting a close-up look at the Mississippi River. We will play two different courses in this tournament. That happened to me one time before in the 1992 NDGA tournament in San Diego. It will be very interesting to play two different courses.

Earlier today, I looked at the scorecard of the two Mississippi National golf courses. On the Highlands course, the number 1 handicap hole (the toughest hole) is the first hole, but it is only 318 yards from the back tees. I am very interested to see what that hole looks like. It is not very often that such a short hole is the hardest hole.

This will be our third year with a handicap format. Both the regular and senior golfers will compete in both the scratch and handicap formats. Only a few golfers have the ability to win in the scratch format. Everybody has the ability to win in the handicap format, and I mean everybody. Both years so far, the most improved golfer also won the handicap tournament for regular golfers.

A reminder that, in last year’s membership meeting, there were some new changes in the tournament fundraising department. Instead of $380 per state, we now require only $250 per state, plus a $10 affiliation fee, each year. Any state that does not raise these funds each year does not have a voice in the delegates meeting that year.

This is a big change from what we had before. I am sure we will have discussions about this once again. I welcome any and all viewpoints on this or any other subject regarding the MDGA. Feel free to send email to me at DeafGolfNut@aol.com or DeafGolfNut@tmail.com (my wireless Sidekick) at any time.

I look forward to serving as your President for the next two tournaments.

See you in August!
Darrell
Jack Kunz (1916 – 2004)

The first golfer to play in at least 50 MDGA golf tournaments passed away last December 17^th at the age of 88.

From 1948 to 1999, Jack did not miss a single MDGA tourney. In his last tournament, he was the MDGA Senior champion at the age of 83. He did not win his first tournament until 1956, won two more times in 1960 and 1961, then surprised everyone by winning his 4^th and last tournament in 1976 at the age of 60.

He is both the oldest MDGA champion and oldest MDGA Senior champion. He is also the oldest runner-up at age 65 in 1981; and the oldest First-Flight champion at age 74 in 1990.

(From Darrell Hovinen) I met Jack Kunz for the first time in Three Rivers, Michigan in 1989. That was my first MDGA tournament. He was on the putting green long after his round was over. He was helping other golfers with chipping and putting. I went over and ask him for his advice and he was very glad to give the advice.

I have never seen him play, but I heard stories about his smooth and sweet swing. I plan to ask other golfers to share their stories at this year’s members meeting.
Multiple MDGA Champions

7 – Bill Roberts ('91–'96, '00)
6 – Michael Maxwell ('83, '85–'86, '88–'90)
5 – Herbert Deurmyer ('50–'53, '57)
5 – Norman Artz ('65, '68, '84, '87, '98)
4 – Jack Kunz ('56, '60–'61, '76)
3 – Clyde Heberlein ('49, '55, '58)
3 – Richard Opseth ('62, '64, '66)
3 – Robert Bouchillion ('67, '69–'70)
3 – Arthur Gendreau ('73, '77–'78)
2 – Ray Kessenich ('47, '54)
2 – George Dudas ('63, '75)
2 – William Tonigan ('74, '02)
2 – Robert Ritch (‘03–’04)

Last year, Robert Ritch from North Carolina joined this short list of multiple MDGA champions, and he is only the 7^th golfer in history to defend his championship successfully.
Southeastern Deaf Golfers Tournament

The Florida Deaf Golfers are the host of this year's 36^th annual SEDGA tournament in Daytona Beach, Florida on June 21^st through 23^rd. Here is their website for more information. http://www.fdga.info

They will play at the LPGA International golf course. If you want to find out how hot it is in Florida during the summer, now is your chance. Their headquarters hotel is right on the Atlantic Ocean.

Future MDGA Tournaments

2006 – Gaylord, Michigan
2007 – Jacksonville, Illinois
2008 – Iowa
2009 – Wisconsin
2010 – Open for Bid