Dad was a decent golfer. Mom and I came first. Followed closely by the hardware store. But a round of golf brought him enjoyment.
We were members of Old Orchard Country Club, the golf course in my hometown of Pittsfield, IL It was founded in 1957 on grounds that once were, you guessed it, an apple orchard. Don’t let “country club” make you believe it was fancy. It was nice. But to a true “country clubber,” it was probably a goat pasture. A nine hole course.
I’m not sure what year we joined. But I remember a short period of time when something must have happened that pissed dad off. He quit OOCC and joined the Jacksonville Country Club. I remember going there a few times for dinners. This was more of a “fancy” place. Nice brick building up on a hill, etc. Eventually, dad found his way back to OOCC. Being it was a lot closer to home may have been a factor.
The biggest golfing event of the year at OOCC was the Labor Day Sweepstakes. A two day event, beginning the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, and concluding on Monday, Labor Day. It was a men’s event, 18 holes each day. Bragging rights, and a chance for cash money were the motivators.
Two man teams were put up for bidding/sale in the Calcutta Auction method. I don’t remember exactly how it all worked. And I don’t remember whether it was “best ball” or the “straight golf” approach. I also don’t remember how the teams were formed. Blind draw, or based on handicaps.
Dad played in 1967. I don’t remember how many he played in prior to. And I don’t remember how many he played in after. But 1967 turned out to be his year. He was 54 years old. I was 8.
Dad was paired with Elmer Myers (Meyers?), an employee of the Brown Shoe Company in Pittsfield. Though dad and Elmer weren’t well-familiar with each other, in Pittsfield (population 4,000), everyone knew everyone.
On that first day, dad was up, and out of the house early. Way too early for mom and me. We headed to the club much later, in time to follow the second round of the day. Dad once told me of golfers who were stretching and doing calisthenics to loosen up before teeing off. Dad chose to sit in a lawn chair, relax, and smoke a cigarette or two.
Sunday passed. Dad and Elmer were playing steady. Monday rolled around… The tournament was not the type where the gallery followed along hole to hole. Most of those interested hung around the clubhouse and socialized. Reports would filter in as to how the teams were doing. There was however, one good option to view the golfers. It was a short walk from the clubhouse to the #7 green. Seven was a short, par three, across water, and a downhill slope. One could stand behind the green, under some pine trees, and have a perfect view of every shot made. I remember going out there 2-3 times over the two days.
As Monday afternoon progressed, I had little to no concept of how things were going, who was leading. I was probably playing with other kids on the property. Maybe a little bored.
Doug Kattleman, a friend of mine, told me many, many years later, about what transpired near the end of regulation. I’ve forgotten the exact details. I believe dad and Elmer were one shot behind the team of Dale Willard and Tom Plattner on the 18th and final hole. Doug told me dad may have made a birdie on #18 to tie the two teams. Whatever happened forced a sudden death playoff on #1.
#1 is a straight, moderately long, par 4. The men teed off. And this time, nearly everyone who was around, began to follow them down the fairway to see what was about to happen. Mom was among them. She must have thought I’d never be able to keep up with the adults on the walk. Or that I had no interest in what was happening. I did! I knew dad had a shot at winning. When it looked like I was going to be left behind, someone saw me pouting, knew who I was, and put me in the back of a cart they were using to drive to the green.
I can remember exactly where I stood as the two teams putted. I watched the faces and expressions of the golfers and the gallery to try and figure where things stood. I had no idea until the final putt dropped. Then I saw happiness on dad’s face, mom’s, and others. Dad and Elmer had won.
It’s usually the child who does something to make the parents proud. Emotions were flipped that day. Being incredibly proud and happy for dad.
Dad kept the winning golf ball and used a Sharpie to mark it. There is fading, but it looks like “Sept. 3-4. $670.” I have the ball, his trophy, and a photo of the two teams. They are treasures.
PHOTOS: Photo one and two, the trophy. Photo three, the ball. Photo four, the teams. Left to right: Tom Plattner, Dale Willard, Elsie Barber (trophy presenter), Virgil Kriegshauser, Elmer Myers (Meyers?)
