27,500 days ago, in a galaxy really close to home, frustration loomed large and long over Tacoma, Washington golf competition and tournament control. Therefore, the benevolent Pacific Northwest Golf Association stepped forward, contacted the Tacoma area’s existing local golf courses and clubs, and encouraged the formation of a local alliance. From that original invitation emerged the TACOMA GOLF ASSOCIATION (TGA).
History is interesting and cyclical. Whatever problem existed between clubs, associations, and competitions; still exist in a similar form. Concerns between private and public clubs, equitable handicapping for tournaments, the desire to hold particular competitions; still find a voice in TGA meetings.
Delegates who show up for the delegate golf, but not the dinner or meeting still were too easily found even after 75 years. Delegates who have conflicts with players or courses, or disappear when they should be assisting in administrating tournaments still occur. The TGA even has had its version of a palace coup which, borne of frustration, existed for 15 months before order and tradition were restored.
Then too, there were the great things which would not have happened without the voice and work of the TGA. The highly respected Tacoma City Amateur, the Junior City Championship, and the unique 70 year history of the Champion of Champions were shining examples of the perseverance and excellence of commitment to provide quality golf competition to the area.
Outstanding leadership has been a hallmark with well-known businessmen actively participating in all phases of administration. Some of the most notable individuals have been:
Ray Roberts, Heinie Venske, Clarence Taylor, George Marshall, Frank Dempski, Ed Honeywell, Jack Walters, Dr. Herm Dah,l Bill Voligny, Sen. Harry Cain, Ray Scruton, Al Adams, George Wise, H. M. (Monty) Montgomery, Ken E. Morken, Chet Hasting.
There has been an overlapping of the membership that has contributed to its longevity. One example: for more than 56 of the TGA’s 75 years: Clarence Taylor (15), Bill Voligny (18), and Chet Hasting (23) have provided stability as TGA Treasurer. Several club delegates served TGA for three decades or longer. Among those who served with longevity:
Heinie Venske, Art Swindland, Clarence Taylor, Frank Dempski, Ed Honeywell, Dr. Herm Dahl, Jack Walters, Loren Allard, Chet Hasting, Ike Furness, Ray Scruton, Ken Vogt, Al Adams, Ken E. Morken, H. M. (Monty) Montgomery.
Prominent within the history of the Tacoma Golf Association is the recognition of the Tacoma Country and Golf Club being the oldest course and club west of the Mississippi, beginning in 1892, and United States Senator Harry Cain being a past president of the association.
Thank you for this opportunity to delve into this middle-aged association that has constantly evolved. It had a wobbly childhood, a bit of an arrogant adolescence, a long adulthood, and hopefully a graceful golden age (without too much Alzheimer’s).
Ken E. Morken 3
1931
The first meeting held at the Union Club, February 27, 1931.
The initial meeting went under the name Associated Golf Clubs of Tacoma.
Meeting called to order by G. H. Raleigh, President of the PNGA.
Representatives of each of the organized clubs in the area of Tacoma were invited. Clubs represented at the meeting were:
- Fircrest Golf Club
- Tacoma Country and Golf Club
- Parkland Golf Club and
- Steilacoom Lake Golf Club.
Mr. Raleigh explained that there was a need in the Tacoma area for an organization that promoted the interests of Golf. The chief reason for such an organization at that time was to provide the necessary material for holding a city Championship tournament each year. He also stated that there was such an increase in the number of applicants that the sponsoring course was overwhelmed. His suggestion was to move the City Championship from match play to medal play.
A motion was made, seconded and passed that the tournament would be medal play. Each club had their own qualifying round. Each club provided that no more than 10% of each club’s membership could qualify for the City Championship.
Mr. Raleigh appointed Ray Roberts, Fred Davis, and Heinie R. Venske as the organizing committee to draw up a tentative constitution and by-laws. One person from each of the attending courses served on the Organizing Committee.
Each club paid $15.00 for membership.
The second meeting was March 25, 1931. Meeting was called to order by President G. H. Raleigh.
Clubs represented and delegates present:
- Fircrest Golf Club – Ray Roberts and Roger Peck
- Tacoma Country and Golf Club – Fred Davis
- Steilacoom Lake Golf Club – R.C. Cole and H. R. Venske
- Meadow Park Golf Club – Ray Johnson and Roy Webster
- Parkland Golf Club – George Fisher and Art Swindland
Managers from Allenmore, Highland, Steilacoom Lake, Meadow Park and Parkland attended. Other guests represented the Tacoma News Tribune, Tacoma Times, Tacoma Ledger. The draft constitution and by-laws were read and approved.
Officers were nominated and elected:
President – Ray Roberts
Vice-President – Ray Johnson
Secretary – Henry Venske
Treasurer – Fred Davis
Upon the election of officers, G. H. Raleigh turned the organization over to the elected officers. Two item of business for the newly born bureaucracy:
- Establish a plan between the five public and two private courses in sponsoring a viable City Championship. Public and private courses utilized different handicapping systems. (Highlands was not a charter participant in the organizational phase)
- The second meeting provided the first controversy between the Association and the Meadow Park course Manager, Mr. D. H. Hillard, who complained against the courses in the City Championship providing Championship caliber players free green fees.
Dates for the inaugural City Championship Tournament were May 10, 17, and 24. Entry fee was $1.00.
May 10th was a 36 hole qualification on the participant’s home course. May 17th was a 36 hole medal play at Meadow Park. May 24th was a 36 hole final at Tacoma Country and Golf Club. No green fees were charged at Meadow Park and Tacoma Country and Golf Club.
185 players participated in the first City Championship.
- Parkland – 20
- Fircrest – 50
- Meadow Park – 32
- Steilacoom Lake – 33
- Tacoma G & CC – 50
Participants played 72 holes, 36 at Fircrest and 36 at Tacoma G &CC.
C. D. “Chuck” Hunter of Tacoma Country and Golf Club was the first city Champion. He posted scores of 81, 75, 75, 76 307. None of the top five finishers carded a score below 75.
The TGA also sponsored The Tacoma City Public Links Championship held at the Parkland Golf Club as a match play event with 149 entries. The first Champion was Barge Pease who defeated Al Feldman 2 – 1.
1932
President – Ray Roberts
Secretary – Art Swindland
Vice- President – Hugo Peterson
Treasurer – Harry Cain
Executive Committee – Harold Johns
Allenmore, Highlands, and Brookdale were extended invitations to join the TGA at the Annual Meeting. The membership was now at eight.
First delegate meeting of the year was the Annual Meeting – February 10, 1932
City Championship participation was limited to a field of 80. Each course provided 7 entries and the remaining 24 were be decided by committee. Ole Swindland was the City Amateur Champion.
TGA carried authority to reinstate amateur status for caddies. one caddy was penalized for 18 months. TGA later chose to serve as intermediary for applicants to USGA for reinstatement.
TGA also decided to sponsor one Public Links golfer to the Nationals annually. Ole Swindland was that first representative, and the TGA appropriated $225 toward his expenses in getting him to Louisville, Kentucky.
1933
President – Harry Cain
Secretary – Dr. John Garceau
Vice- President – H. R. Venske
Treasurer – Harold Johns
Delegate at Large – Dr. Whetstone C.D.
“Chuck” Hunter again won the City Championship Tournament.
TGA started a “King’s X” tournament. This was a competition very similar to the contemporary Super Sweeps allotment. The club with the highest attendance received a season ending Sweepstakes event. The tournament was sometimes a best ball, sometimes points, sometimes medal play, but usually with handicap. The annual tournament was different from the previous year in that the winning club chose the format of play.
1934
President – Harry Cain
Secretary – Hugo Peterson
Vice – President – H. R. Venske
Treasurer – George Marshall
Delegate at Large – Irv Nelson
Sterling Cox, chairman of the Handicap Committee reported that his committee revised par at eight courses for the purpose of handicap.
- Fircrest 71
- Brookdale 68
- Country Club 71
- Allenmore 69
- Meadow Park 71
- Highland 69
- Steilacoom Lake 71
- Parkland 65
Fircrest and the Country Club used the par indicated on their scorecards. TGA later added an amendment to the handicap rules to indicate, “in all tournaments held under the sponsorship of this association at the various public courses, all entrants from the two private clubs, Fircrest and Country Club, shall have their handicaps reduced by one stroke for each five strokes, or fraction thereof of their handicap at their home club.”
July 17 – President Harry Cain made pointed remarks concerning the poor attendance at the meeting.
August 4 – Accepted a proposal from the women’s association to sponsor a City Mixed One-ball Twosome.
Adopted a variation of “Winter Golf” rules including, lie improvement only in the fairway of the hole being played. The penalty for improving a lie in any other fairway – two strokes in medal play, in match play – loss of hole.
Concern arose regarding the differences between public and private courses within the TGA. An attempt was made to establish a local Public Links Association that did not include any private courses. After much debate and even formulating a constitution, the motion was defeated on a voice vote.
Al Buhre was the City Amateur Champion.
On August 11, Dr. Garceau, from Meadow Park, proposed that each public course feature some particular tournament each year. The motion was moved, seconded and passed. Each tournament was on the first Sunday of the Month, every month. The rotation for the remainder of the year was:
August – Allenmore
September – Meadow Park
October – Steilacoom
November – Parkland
December – Brookdale
January – Highland
The handicap utilized was a ¾ Cauklins System.
The first Sweepstakes (Sweeps) was scheduled for the first Sunday at Allenmore. In addition to 12 Sweeps each year, the three premier tournaments included:
- City Championship – three-week match play
- Club Championships – over four separate weekends
- Public Links – over four weekends.
December 4 – Adopted a proposal to hold an annual dance within weeks of the Annual Meeting to serve as a time to install officers, serve as a general get together for city golfers and having the potential to put a few dollars in the coffers.
1935
President – Heinie Venske
Secretary – Charles Kelton
Vice President- Jack Huertz
Treasurer – George Marshall
Delegate at Large – Irv Nelson
A fund-raising dance was held at Ingleside. The dance lost $29.76. The Annual meeting was at Hoyt’s Doughnut shop.
Chuck Hunter, Jr. was, again the City Amateur Champion.
October 3 meeting, George Marshall of the Parkland Course explained the concept of a Champion of Champions tournament sponsored by the Parkland Club. Moved and carried.
Linden became an honorary member for the remainder of the year and permanent upon the new year.
The association moved, seconded, and carried that the TGA president be authorized to solicit golf balls from the member courses for $6.00 a dozen (or less), for Sweeps prizes. Course pars were revised a third time for public courses.
- Linden 69
- Meadow Park 67
- Brookdale 66
- Allenmore 66
- Highland 65
- Parkland 62
President Venske called for equalization of handicaps between public and private courses. Several options were considered, none was accepted.
1936
President – Heinie Venske
Treasurer – George Marshall
Vice-President- Jack Huertz
Secretary – L.P. Hein
Delegate-at-large – Dr. Garceau
February 8, discussion was held regarding entering a Sweeps more than once. At that time, no more than a single entry was allowed.
The City (Amateur) Championship continued to be restricted to the low 80 qualifiers. Chuck Hunter, Jr. was, again the City Amateur Champion.
A memo from the USGA encouraged winning amateurs to receive silverware as awards, rather than clubs, balls, et cetera, in an effort to reduce commercialization.
Clubs were switching their Sweeps dates on their own, without going through the TGA.
Clarence Taylor’s first recorded meeting began a fifty-four year association with TGA.
Linden’s status as a private course was not accepted by the USGA. For the time being, their handicap was figured as a public course handicap using the Caulkin’s system. The secretary was directed to write to the USGA for the regulations segregating the public courses from the private courses to establish the status of the Linden Golf Club.
Moved, seconded, and passed (MSP) that $15.00 be spent bringing the TGA’s records up to date.
October 1, MSP that the Champion of Champions tournament became a TGA event as set up by the Parkland club. Also, that each club was responsible for sending their amateur club champion. Professionals and caddies comprised the non-amateur category.
President Venske recommended that Annual Meetings be moved from February to December. He also recommended that sweeps be reduced from the current twelve to eight, one for each member club.
1937
President – Heinie Venske
Treasurer – Charles Kelton
Vice-President- George Marshall
Secretary – John Hunt
Delegate-at-large – Jason McQuillan
Longtime pro Chuck Condon offered to have five professionals in the area play each course in the Association and provide their ideas of what handicap each course should be. Then the TGA would have control of all city handicaps for tournaments held by them. Motion passed.
More and more boys were becoming caddies. Having received money for toting clubs around for nine or eighteen holes was historically a professional’s job. Teen caddies had to ask for reinstatement to amateur status simply in order to play in club tournaments.
Howell sporting goods began sponsoring a four-man team competition with each team representing a club. The tournament was called the Punch Bowl Tournament. The huge trophy was awarded to Fircrest in that first year.
Chuck Hunter, Jr. was the City Amateur Champion.
A motion was made, seconded, and passed that all courses have a uniform sweeps green fee of $0.50 and entry of $0.25.
It was moved, seconded, and passed, that the TGA assume sponsorship of the Allenmore Open. The re-titled name was The Tacoma Open and was backed by the National Bank of Tacoma. The TGA’s expense was not to exceed $11.50.
A motion was moved, seconded, and passed that the Sweeps prizes be awarded in three divisions, 0 – 10, 11 – 15, and 16 and up.
1938
President – Heinie Venske
Secretary – John Hunt
Vice President- George Marshall
Treasurer – Clarence Taylor
Delegate at Large – Art Walker
Clarence Taylor introduced the participation award for the course with the most Sweeps participants. The Tacoma Open produced a $110.00 profit.
Tacoma Country & Golf Club declined to hold one round of the City Amateur.
Bob Van De Mark was the City Amateur Champion.
Moved by Chet Corey, seconded and passed, that the club having the most entries in the Sweepstake tournaments be awarded a special tournament in December.
Moved, seconded, and passed, that $11.40 be sent to the USGA for 100 rule books. Books were be distributed to each member club.
1939
President – Heinie Venske
Secretary – John Hunt
Vice President- Jim York
Treasurer – Ed Garceau
Delegate at Large – Cliff Olsen
Linden declined to hold one round of the City Amateur.
Chuck Hunter, Jr. was, again the City Amateur Champion.
Dan Walton, sports editor of the News Tribune outlined a program by which the Tribune would be glad to publish more news on golf. The program was to provide black and white copy, and TGA does the club contact.
The Tacoma Country and Golf Club was pleased to be asked, and hosted the first round of the City Amateur.
A Constitutional Amendment was passed limiting the term of President to two years.
1940
President – Chester Corey
Secretary – Bill DeLay
Vice President- Jim York
Treasurer – Ed Garceau
Delegate at Large – A. R. Lehman
Sweepstakes entry raised to $0.50. Each club had control of green fees for Sweeps events.
Chuck Condon and four other pros played each Association course and reported suggested pars for each.
- Fircrest 70
- Highland 64
- Country Club 70
- Brookdale 66
- Linden 70
- Parkland 60
- Meadow Park 68
- Allenmore 67
Past President Venske was awarded a gift of one dozen balls for his past service.
The Country Club has chosen to not be an active member of the TGA.
The TGA continued to play a regionally significant role with the National Public Links, hosting the regional qualifier and having Heinie Venske named as regional representative under Dr. Williams of Spokane.
Chuck Hunter, Jr. was, again the City Amateur Champion.
The Tacoma Open continued to grow and received recognition from arenas outside of golf. It was moved, seconded, and passed that TGA create a permanent fund for Public Links qualifiers to the National tournament.
1941
President – Chester Corey
Secretary – Nels Norberg
Vice President- Jim York
Treasurer – Jack Ferguson
Delegate at large – Heinie Venske
President Corey presented a plan submitted by Dan Walton of the Tribune to sponsor a junior tournament. After discussion, TGA would run the tournament and be sponsored by the News Tribune. The initial Tournament had 64 entrants.
The Brookdale Invitational was created. It was co-sponsored by the TGA from the onset.
Frank Unger won the Tacoma City Amateur.
The Parkland Golf Course was sold to Pacific Lutheran College and underwent massive renovation, from being an 18 hole course to being a 9 hole course. The TGA voted to extend full membership and playing privileges to the Parkland Club’s membership for the duration of the renovation.
Heinie Venske was named USGA district representative. Sweeps held at Fircrest had a then record of 206 entries.
1942
President – Elmer Clark
Secretary – John Anderson
Vice President- Bob Van De Mark
Treasurer – Heinie Venske
Delegate at Large – Chester Corey
The only mention of the Pearl Harbor attack was a special tournament was held and $214.25 was turned in to the Red Cross.
City Amateur entry was raised to $1.25 and the field limited to 100. Jack Walters won the Tacoma City Amateur.
A July 30 motion allowed any individual golfer to enter the Sweeps as many times as he wishes providing he has a different partner for each round. Brookdale elected not to receive green fees for the delegates to the Annual meeting.
1943
President – John Anderson
Secretary – George Poparad
Vice President- Joe McArthur
Treasurer – Harry Mauder
Delegate at Large – Elmer Clark
Sweeps entry/green fee was raised to $1.50, with $0.70 for green fees and $0.80 to the prize fund.
Any one golfer could win more than once in the sweeps with different partners.
Prizes for the Public Links tournaments will be paid in War Bonds.
Sweeps participation was extended to include Friday, Saturday and Sunday to provide the opportunity for those involved in War work to play in the tournaments.
City Amateur entry fee was raised to $1.50. Broken down, it was: $0.75 for green fees, $0.65 for prize fund, and $0.10 for hole-in-one. Chuck Hunter, Jr. was, yet again, winner of the Tacoma City Amateur.
1944
President – John Anderson
Secretary – Nels Norberg
Vice President- Aaron Aiken
Treasurer – Heinie Venske
Delegate at Large – Elmer Clark
The treasurer’s Report for March 30 indicated: General Fund – $176.22, Drawing Pool – $34.52, National Public Links – $$220.12, and the Tacoma Open – $317.39. (The Drawing Pool was for eligible delegates who have played in the previous Sweeps. Usually, there was some roll-over to the next month.)
Chuck Hunter, Jr. was, yes, again, the City Amateur Champion.
The Parkland Golf Course was renamed the College Golf Course and reassumes its membership.
1945
President – Ed Stevens
Secretary – Nels Norberg
Vice-President- John Anderson
Treasurer – Heinie Venske
Delegate at Large – Elmer Clark
The Tacoma Open was changed to The Tacoma Golf Association Open for its twelfth edition.
Chuck Hunter, Jr. won the Tacoma City Amateur for the 10th time.
Stymies were eliminated from Public Links play.
TGA adopted a policy to assist the Junior Golf Association “as far as possible.”
“Baby daughter’ cigars were presented to the delegates by Father (2nd time) Elmer Clark. The smokes were appreciated by all who received. Elmer (Clip) Clark deems it more blessed to give than to receive. Meeting adjourned in a cloud of cigar smoke at 8:10 p.m.”
1946
President – Ed Stevens
Secretary – Frank Gratias
Vice-President- Elmer Clark
Treasurer – Floyd Irish
Delegate at Large – John Anderson
The Tacoma Golf Association Open reverts to its original name, The Allenmore Open.
Oscar “Ockie” Eliason won the Tacoma City Amateur.
At the May 22 meeting, it was moved, seconded and passed that, under ‘winter rules,’ a player could improve his lie with his club to no more than six inches.
1947
President – Ed Honeywell
Secretary – Frank Gratias
Vice-President- Frank Dempski
Treasurer – Bert Walker
Delegate at Large – James Anderson
Annual Dinner held at Top ‘O the Ocean.
News Tribune prints TGA schedules for Course distribution and TGA membership cards for member clubs.
The name of the City Amateur Trophy was the Frank Unger Memorial Trophy. The original was to be held at the Champion’s club and returned for the following year. The Champion was given a replica trophy. David Doud won the Tacoma City Amateur.
A Tacoma publication named the NIBLIC endorsed a revised and improved handicap system, which the TGA considered adopting.
Handicaps were to be revised at least once a month.
Allowance for one par on any hole
Handicap 0 – 10 – 1 stroke
11 — 20 – 2 strokes
21 and over – 3 strokes
- Lowest 5 rounds of the last 10 constitute the handicap
- Handicaps of 0 – 14 inclusively, may be increased at the rate of not more than one stroke per month.
- Handicaps over 15 may be increased at the rate of not more than two strokes per month.
The Seattle confederation of courses has revised this system a bit. The TGA, after three months of review and discussion, considered adopting the Seattle version. After consultations with all clubs, the vote was:
7 for retaining the current handicap system
2 for adopting the Seattle system
New course ratings
- Allenmore – 68
- Country Club – 71
- College – 65
- Highland – 65
The old Tacoma Open/Tacoma Golf Association/Allenmore Open was a 36 hole tournament with discussion about becoming an 18 hole tournament. Motion fails.
1948
President – Ed Honeywell
Secretary – Jim Anderson
Vice-President- Frank Dempski
Treasurer – Clarence Taylor
Delegate at Large – Al Moody
Dinner held at Top ‘O the Ocean.
Washington Hardware will provide a prize for any hole-in-one at a Sweeps. [Washington Hardware was the Gart/Big 5 of its day.]
David Doud repeated as Tacoma City Amateur Champion.
A new ‘Tacoma Open’ will be held at Fircrest with the primary sponsor, the Tacoma Athletic Commission. TGA will have a part.
On April 27th, Fort Lewis Golf Course became a TGA member.
On May 27th, a motion was passed that all TGA tourneys were only for “the white race.”
Because of the TGA white race only policy, Army regulations forced the Ft Lewis Golf Course to resign from the TGA on June 8th .
PNGA was touting a handicap system that utilized 10 of the last 13 rounds. TGA appointed a committee to work with the Seattle group on it.
The nine-hole delegate tournament was unofficially named the Paul Eschner Benefit Tournament because of all the balls he consistently wins. (This was not unlike the contemporary Ron Hovey Benefit Tournament currently in play at the delegate meetings.)
This was the first year that the Annual dinner was held in December.
1949
President – Jim Anderson, Jr.
Secretary – Paul Eschner
Vice-President- Harry Rowan
Treasurer – Clarence Taylor
Delegate at large – Ed Honeywell
Dinner held again at Top ‘O the Ocean.
With the dates for Sweepstakes tourneys written down, club names were drawn from a hat to fill the calendar.
Because of the variety of handicap methods being utilized, there was concern about whether the TGA Public Links representative to the National Tournament will be accepted. The result was for TGA to change to the nationally accepted methodology.
On May 10th TGA drops its whites only policy and Ft. Lewis reassumes its membership, as a public course, rated at 70.
June 9th saw the first Junior trophy requisitioned. The Frank Dempski Benefit era begins for the delegate tourney.
Jack Walters won the Tacoma City Amateur. Additionally, Jack and Jean Walters won the Men’ and Women’s Champion of Champions. Heidelberg Brewing, through Jack Walters’ efforts, donated two perpetual trophies to the TGA, for recognizing the men’s and women’s champions each year.
Mrs. Jack (Jean) Walters was presented a silver cigarette case in recognition for being Mrs. Golf in Tacoma.
1950
President – Jim Anderson, Jr.
Secretary – Don Cory
Vice-President- Harry Rowan
Treasurer – Clarence Taylor
Delegate at large – Ed Honeywell
July 27, TGA voted to accept the current USGA handicapping system.
Enumclaw became a member after a constitutional change loosened the 25 mile distance from the downtown Tacoma Post Office.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Al Buhre. After a bit of an absence the Champion of Champions was up and running again with joint sponsorship between the TGA and the TWGA. The reincarnated tournament was be held at Brookdale.
1951
President – Frank Dempski
Secretary – Larry Iverson
Vice-President- Rolf Gronvik
Treasurer – Clarence Taylor
Delegate at Large – Jim Anderson, Jr.
Past President Jim Anderson, Jr. provided the first bulletin board schedules for all the clubs.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Jack Walters. The first Junior Tournament was played August 20th at Meadow Park. In addition, TGA will support and assist the Park Board with their Junior Tournament.
The Champ of Champs was moved to Fircrest. It was usually be held at a country club from this point onward.
The Secretary forgot the minutes for the August meeting and was fined a fifth of Old Hickory!
The current year’s King’s X Tourney was be based on points.
1952
President – Frank Dempski
Secretary – Larry Iverson
Vice-President- Paul Eschner
Treasurer – Clarence Taylor
Delegate at Large – Jim Anderson, Jr.
TGA went on record as being in favor of Daylight Savings Time.
Maple Valley came into the TGA.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Jack Baty. KMO radio reported on the Publinx (Public Links) and Sweeps with comprehensive results.
Negroes were allowed to play in the Tacoma Open and Japanese golfers have joined the Highlands club. After much discussion, the TGA wisely decided to make no stand on club membership ethnicities.
Lake Wilderness joined the Association. (The course was located between Covington and Maple Valley.)
1953
President – Paul Eschner
Secretary – Walt Williams
Vice-President- Herm Dahl
Treasurer – Clarence Taylor
A Jackpot drawing was funded with $100.00. Entry into the drawing occurs by having attended 9 of the first11 sweepstakes tournaments. Prizes will be $50 – $30 and $20.
The TAC/ TGA version of the 20th Tacoma Open at Fircrest was meeting with opposition from Allenmore Golf Club and Course. On March 5th, the Tacoma Open was postponed until 1954. It became a 72-hole tourney with 36 holes played on the last day. $2,500 for the pros and amateur money as allowed.
A vote on accepting the USGA handicap system for all TGA events and member club competitions was carried unanimously by the clubs present.
The board moved to supply liquid refreshments for all special meetings and any second meetings at any member club. Motion was carried. Thus began the Clarence Taylor rolling liqueur store, which remained a TGA institution for more than thirty years.
Jackpot eligibility changed to 8 of 11 Sweeps.
A TGA organized Hole-in-one Contest at the 38th Street Driving Range was held over three Saturdays with the TNT and KTNT-TV providing daily coverage. A $1,360 profit was received. It was the biggest single moneymaker to date.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Ken Towns.
TGA supports the Junior Chamber of Commerce to the tune of $25 for their Junior tournament.
Chuck Brown, new pro and owner at Brookdale attended his first meeting on September 3rd .
The TGA solicited the National Left Handers Golf Association to hold their 1954 national tournament at Fircrest.
The tradition of TGA paying for the delegates’ and past presidents’ dinners at the Annual meeting was passed.
1954
President – Paul Eschner
Secretary – Walt Williams
Vice-President – Herm Dahl
Treasurer – Clarence Taylor
Delegate at Large – Frank Dempski
The tournament calendar for the year included 11 Sweeps, the City Amateur, the Publinx matches, Brookdale Amateur, Hole-in-one, and the Tacoma Open, twenty-one events, in all.
Par ratings for the TGA courses were:
- Allenmore 67
- Brookdale 67
- College 64
- Country Club 72
- Fircrest 71
- Linden 70
- Meadow Park 67
- Highland 65
- Fort Lewis 71
- Lake Wilderness 65
Two delegates were fined liquid refreshment. One person was fined a fifth of Ballintine’s and the other a fifth of Kentucky Tagern (?).
TGA again supported the JCC Tacoma Junior Tournament with $50.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Jack Walters.
The Tacoma Open was renamed once again, this incarnation became the Tacoma Invitational. Apparently, this carried a bit more leeway for the professionals who were invited to play.
TGA offered $100 to the TWGA to promote Junior Girls golf activities.
Largest annual Sweepstakes attendance was 2,840.
1955
President – Herm Dahl
Secretary – Walt Williams
Vice- President- Ray Coleman
Treasurer – Clarence Taylor
Ed Honeywell suggested that the 1955 edition of the Tacoma Invitational be held in conjunction with the Daffodil Festival and be called the Tacoma Daffodil Open. Each club held a fund raiser to assist in underwriting the tournament’s newest incarnation.
The beginnings of as long-standing rift between the TAC and the TGA began as a result of the TAC not pushing ticket sales for the Daffodil Open. Ticket receipts generated a loss of $175.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Ernie Althuser.
Fircrest announced that the Tacoma Daffodil Open was not welcome at their course.
Sixty names were entered in the Jackpot drawing with eight winners and cash prizes ranging from $50 – $10. The Jackpot ran again.
$5 was given to the JCC’s to help send a junior golfer to the Nationals.
$50 was also given to the Pierce County Parks Junior Tournament.
Herm Dahl received a Life Membership in the TGA.
The Hole-in-one tourney at the 38th street Driving Range had several guaranteed prizes. Washington Hardware posted $100 for each hole-in-one during the qualifying days. The TNT posted a$150 for the same on the final day. The TGA also received an $800 anonymous donation for additional prizes. The TGA produced a $1900 profit.
1956
President – Guy Hall
Secretary – Walt Williams
Vice-President – Ron Gratias
Treasurer – Clarence Taylor
Entry to Sweeps was separated from green fees. TGA no longer set green fees for tournaments. The Sweeps entry was $2.00 plus green fees.
Herm Dahl moved that the City Amateur have three rounds at three different courses, with the final round held at a private club. The tradition holds to this day. The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Jack Walters.
John Severson shot the first delegate-day tournament hole-in-one on March 29th, at Linden, on #2. He bought a round of liquid refreshment!
The Public Links qualifier goes to four rounds, one each week at Allenmore.
Par ratings were:
- Fircrest 71
- Fort Lewis 71
- Country Club 71
- Linden 70
- Allenmore 68
- Meadow Park 67
- Brookdale 67
- Highland 66
- College 65
- Lake Wilderness 65
May 17, Mike Sterbick offered free legal assistance to incorporate the TGA as a non-profit organization. TGA was to have had a Board of Trustees, two delegates per course, terms of office were two years, after the first year, and the Trustees were to meet before the first day of the new year to elect five new trustees from the member clubs.
At the same meeting, the TNT was asking to see an extensive Junior program initiated in the area. They pledged support, and continued support of the Hole-in-One Tournament. $1,000 was made available from the treasury, and Fort Lewis provided a set of new irons for the winner.
Ken Tyson spoke on the new Junior program lessons being provided by area pros. $150 was given to the TWGA for a Junior girls’ program and $100 was given to the Pierce County Parks Junior Tournament.
Fircrest’s Sweeps had 426 entries for a two day Sweeps. All Sweepstakes totaled 2413 entries.
TGA provided $100 and bought its own typewriter for correspondence and minutes.
1957
President – Guy Hall
Secretary – Walt Williams
Vice-President- Ron Gratias
Treasurer – Clarence Taylor
Delegate at Large – Herm Dahl
Green River Golf Course and Men’s Club became a TGA member. It was rated at 66.
College’s par rating was reduced to a 64.
Sgt. Trueblood, delegate from Fort Lewis asked for TGA’s support and endorsement of his proposed Tournament, The Fort Lewis Amateur. A letter was sent to the Commanding General stating TGA’s wholehearted support.
Fircrest again set a two-day Sweepstakes record of 470 entries, and a one day record of 246 entries.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Jack Baty
1958
President – Ron Gratias
Secretary – Craig Lowery
Vice-President- Larry Iverson
Treasurer – Clarence Taylor
The City Amateur had a record 191 entries. Dr. Herm Dahl was the City Amateur Champion.
Metropolitan Park Board Director Ralph Williams spoke to the group about the City’s desire to purchase a public golf course. Meadow Park was the chosen course and TGA supported a $300,000 bond issue for the purchase. TGA also purchased $225 in advertising in endorsing the purchase.
Meadow Park offers Juniors free golf after school was out for the summer, from 6 a.m. – 12 noon on Mondays. Clubs will be furnished.
Frank Dempski was appointed to look into creating an annual Junior tournament. Ken Tyson volunteers Allenmore’s course for the event. The event was held June 23, 24, 25 and a golf ball and a $.75 lunch were provided. 68 players participated in the inaugural event.
Tacoma Publinx players were refused entry into the National Public Links Tournament in Seattle. A telegram of protest was sent to the USGA. The USGA apologized, but said there was nothing they could do. In all, a poor reply.
Lake Wilderness had par re-rated to a 65.
Brookdale changes to 5” cups. TGA writes in letter of inquiry to the USGA. USGA said that was a no-no and notified the club.
1959
President – Ron Gratias
Secretary – Craig Lowery
Vice-President- Larry Iverson
Treasurer – Clarence Taylor
Delegate at Large – Guy Hall
TGA rated the Olympia Golf and Country Club at a 68. The club opened in July.
A March of Dimes Tournament brought in $338. Craig Lowery was congratulated on having done a fine job. He recommended that an annual committee run the tournament rather than the delegates. His recommendation was accepted.
Craig also encouraged TGA’s support of the just completed VA Hospital course.
The Cascade Club’s membership was absorbed into the Meadow Park men’s club in order to play in TGA events.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Mickey Stray.
Junior Tournament was held at Fircrest with an awards dinner following.
Hole-in-one tournament at 38th Street Driving took in $1513.
As treasurer, Clarence Taylor received a $100.00 stipend.
TNT printed TGA membership cards for the next several years.
1960
President – Larry Iverson
Secretary – Craig Lowery
Vice-President- Al Brown
Treasurer – Clarence Taylor
Delegate at Large – Ron Gratias
Ron Hume asked the TGA to take over the sponsorship of the Father – Son Tournament. It was moved, seconded, and passed to do so.
Mt. View became a member. The Lacey course was rated at 67.
The Constitution was updated and amended.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Jack Walters, for the fifth time.
The Public Links qualifying had the largest turnout in years with 171.
TGA hosted and sponsored the pre-tournament dinner for the National left-handers, of which Jack Walters was President, held at Fircrest.
Hole-in-one tournament at 38th Street Driving took in $1585.
The first recorded effort to “freeze” handicap occurred from October 1 to March 1, 1961.
1961
President – Larry Iverson
Secretary – Craig Lowery
Vice-President- Al Brown
Treasurer – Clarence Taylor
Delegate at Large – Ron Gratias
Frank Dempski and his King’s X committee codify tournament rules. It now has one set of rules and one interpretation for defining the host club.
Erv Marlow moved that 10 rounds be posted before a golfer was eligible for the City Amateur. The motion was seconded and passed.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Jack Sanchez.
The Junior Tournament had 84 entries and the City Amateur, 172.
North Shore became a member club.
1962
President – Al Brown
Secretary – Loren Allard
Vice-President- Clarence Taylor
Treasurer – Walt Williams
Executive Board – Larry Iverson, Frank Dempski
Earlington became a TGA member club. (It was located along the North side of I-405 between Tukwila and Renton. It was now an industrial park.)
McChord Field (Whispering Firs) became a TGA member. It was a nine-hole course rated at 67.
Artondale became a member club. (This club eventually becomes the Gig Harbor Golf and Country Club.)
President Taylor proposed changing Tacoma Public Links to City Match Play Championships.
The 30-year tradition of the Kings-X tournament was eliminated. Instead of a year-ending tournament awarded to the course with the most entries, cash awards were given to the best attending 9- and 18-hole courses.
Motion was made, seconded, and carried that each of a course’s two delegates be given the opportunity for two tee times per day of a Sweeps (one between 8 and 10:30, and the other at any other time). It was felt to be the most equitable method of providing tee times. Additional tee times could be sought by a course after all other delegates had used their opportunity.
Ray Scruton asked each club and pro for a one dozen golf ball donation for prize TGA fund.
The Junior tournament had 124 entries and the awards dinner was well attended.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Ron Hume.
1963
President – Clarence Taylor
Secretary – Loren Allard
Vice-President- Ralph Rennamo
Treasurer – Walt Williams
Executive Board – Frank Dempski, Al Brown
The 32-year tradition of the Tacoma Public Links Tournament passes as the name and format change to the All City Match Play Tournament. Fund of $600 was used for Sweeps prizes.
The March of Dimes Tournament was delegated to the individual member clubs.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Bob Johnson.
Club membership now included:
- Allenmore
- Green River
- Artondale
- Lake Wilderness
- Brookdale
- Linden
- College
- Meadow Park
- Earlington
- McChord
- Enumclaw
- Mountain View
- Fircrest
- North Shore
- Fort Lewis
- Tacoma Country and Golf Club
The Junior Tournament had 132 entries and carried the suggestion of using two courses each year.
Mt View Golf Course became Panorama City and its men’s club transferred Capitol City.
1964
President – Clarence Taylor
Secretary – Loren Allard
Vice-President- Ralph Rennamo
Treasurer – Walt Williams
Executive Board – Frank Dempski, Al Brown
Foster (Tukwila) and Capital City became TGA member clubs.
An extremely accomplished golfer at PLC (PLU), Erv Marlow, Jr. was stricken with leukemia. The Erv Marlow Jr. Scholarship Fund began. Erv Sr. was a past TGA President and future manager at the College Course. Every course held a tourney to help defray costs, with over $1,000 being raised.
Lost ball and Ball out of bounds became stroke and distance penalty. Just distance was the prevailing penalty.
Ruling clarified that electric carts were legal for any TGA event.
Allenmore had 460 entries for the two-day Sweeps.
Earl Theilade proposed that the Sweeps be played over a three day period. It was moved, seconded, and passed.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Dr. John Harbottle. Although begun at the behest of the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) 33 years ago, TGA did not belong. Dr. Herm Dahl strongly encouraged the TGA and its member clubs to join. Country Club, Fircrest, Fort Lewis, Brookdale, Meadow Park and Linden were already members. Dr. Dahl states that the PNGA and the Washington State Golf Association (WSGA) promoted Junior Golf, the Evans Scholarship, and Championship golf and did consistent handicapping. TGA thinks about it for a while, and then joined.
Hole-in-one income was $1993.
1965
President – Ralph Rennamo
Secretary – Loren Allard
Vice-President- Earl Theilade
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board –Clarence Taylor
Walt Williams was appointed Tournament Chairman for the organization with an annual stipend of $100.
Hole-in-one profited $1,200.
Mike Friel was the Champion of the Tacoma City Amateur.
Entry fee for Sweeps rose to $3.50.
Fircrest chose to re-rate its course, defying the rating committee of the TGA. TGA retaliated by dropping the Fircrest Sweeps. Jack Walters strongly encourages TGA to rethink its position if it wants Fircrest to remain a TGA member. Fircrest received a Sweeps, and the re-rating was deferred.
1966
President – Ralph Rennamo
Secretary – Loren Allard
Vice-President- Erv Marlow
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – Clarence Taylor
Chuck Brown served as Pro Advisor for the current year.
Bill Voligny accepted the position of Tournament Chairman as well as Treasurer. This was where the Treasurer’s responsibility for wrapping up the Sweeps tournaments started.
February 3 found H.M. (Monty) Montgomery introduced as the new junior delegate from Allenmore.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was George Sumara.
The Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Award was to be split between a PLU student and a UPS student. The first recipient for PLU was Ron Ahre for $150 and renewable for a second year.
A new typewriter and adding machine were requisitioned.
A celebration of TGA’s 35th birthday took the form of a special meeting was held to honor all the past presidents at Ft. Lewis Officers’ Beach Club.
Clarence Taylor became a Life Member of the Tacoma Golf Association.
1967
President – Ralph Rennamo
Secretary – Loren Allard
Vice-President- Erv Marlow
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – Ralph Rennamo, Frank Dempski
TGA ran a Pro-Am at Capital City. Each team consisted of a Pro, two TGA delegates and the club’s President and Vice-president. Low gross was won by Al Mengert. Earlington won the team competition.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Jim R. Johnson.
38th Street Driving range, home of the Hole- in-one Tournament for so many years, closed.
Jack Sereault of the TNT was honored for his commitment to golf reporting in the area.
1968
President – Erv Marlow
Secretary – Loren Allard
Vice-President- Dick Bittman
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – Ralph Rennamo, Frank Dempski
TGA accepted the USGA’s handicapping and rating system.
Lake Spanaway and Tyee Golf Course (at the South end of the Sea-Tac runways) became member courses.
Jim Bourne served as Professional advisor for the year.
Oakbrook Golf and Country Club held a Sweeps and became a TGA member club for one year.
Treasurer/Tournament Chairman stipend raised to $250. The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Clint Names.
PLU’s Jay Robinson and UPS’ Joe Roberts were the recipients of the Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship.
The Tacoma City Match Play Tournament again assumed its role of the Publinx tourney for the area. And the first TGA Seniors was held at Brookdale.
Ray Scruton began running a hole-in-one competition during the Meadow Park in support of the Junior Match Play, which had no independent funding source since the Hole-in-one Tournament ceased. This became a tradition for Junior Golf over the next 20 years.
1969
President – Dick Bittman
Secretary – Loren Allard
Vice-President- George Wise
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Schedule cards still provided by the TNT.
The TWGA’s junior program was dissolved when the Private clubs seceded and formed the Puget Sound Women’s Golf Association and duplicated the junior program. TWGA returns $13.33 to the TGA.
Specific contemporary format of City Amateur adopted. The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Devin Donohue.
1970
President – Dick Bittman
Secretary – Loren Allard
Vice-President- George Wise
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Maplewood joined the Tacoma Golf Association. Moreover, Oakbrook finally renewed their membership.
Tom Tuell (who became “The Golfing Gorilla”) participated in the Junior Match Play tournament and won the Tacoma City Match Play title.
Gary Clinton was Champion of the Tacoma City Amateur.
Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Paul Campbell of PLU and Bill Lincoln of UPS.
The tradition of Jack & Jean Walters presenting the winners with gifts at the Champion of Champions began.
1971
President – George Wise
Secretary – Clint Darby
Vice-President- Loren Allard
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
The hole-in-one budget became the Junior Golf Fund. This was reflected by the beginning deficit of $68.61.
Membership cards and poster schedules were printed by a private business.
Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Lynn Petit of PLU and Don DeHope of UPS.
Randy Puetz was the Tacoma City Amateur Champion.
Ron Wright won the City Match Play event.
Hi-Cedars became a member of TGA.
1972
President – George Wise
Secretary – Clint Darby
Vice-President- Loren Allard
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Jeff Spere, from PLU and Don DeHope, from UPS were the recipients for the Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship.
George Lanning served as the Pro Advisor for the Year.
Russ Bloom became Champion of the Tacoma City Amateur.
TGA ran a local version of The Masters.
1973
President – Loren Allard
Secretary – Mike Miller
Vice-President- Clint Darby
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
National Left-handers Tournament was at Fircrest that year. TGA served as a sponsor and supporter.
The TGA Masters was held at Lake Spanaway.
Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship recipients were Mark Clinton from PLU and Dan Stafford from UPS.
The TGA Junior’s tournament had 104 entries.
Bob Olson was Champion of the Tacoma City Amateur.
Frank Dempski was awarded a Life Membership in the TGA and a permanent seat on all Executive Committee meetings.
1974
President – Loren Allard
Secretary – Mike Miller
Vice-President- Clint Darby
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship recipients were Blake Bostrom from PLU and Pat Feutz from UPS.
The Champion of the Tacoma City Amateur was Gary House.
The Tacoma City Match Play was dropped from the calendar. This was originally the Tacoma Public Links Tournament in 1931, and changed to the Tacoma city match Play Tournament in 1963.
1975
President – Clint Darby
Secretary – Wendell Kibbe
Vice-President- Ken Vogt
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Dr. Herm Dahl was presented with a Life Membership to the TGA. Dr. Dahl’s contributions spanned an association with the TGA of over 30 years.
Big John Anderson was presented with a Lifetime Membership posthumously. John passed away in November of 1974. He was known for his prodigious drives and wicked sense of humor. Big John Anderson will be associated with the Tacoma Masters as a memorial Tournament.
Secretary Wendell Kibbe resigned for business reasons and Past-President Bob Romnes was appointed to complete the term.
The Champion of the Tacoma City Amateur was Gary House.
Ray Scruton was presented with a Life Membership with TGA for his ceaseless efforts on behalf of Junior Golf.
The Jackpot Drawing held wan some form for more than 25 years was eliminated.
Mickey Stray served as Pro-Advisor to TGA for the year.
Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship recipients were Mark Clinton from PLU and Jim Purkey from UPS.
Art Swindland, one of the TGA founders gave an insightful history of the early days.
1976
President – Clint Darby
Secretary – Bob Romnes
Vice-President- Ken Vogt
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
The Treasurer/Tournament Director’s pay was raised to $500.
Sweeps entry raised to $4.
Jamie Kirkebo was the Champion for the Tacoma City Amateur.
Ken Tyson donated $1,000 to Junior golf. Scholarship recipient qualification of having to complete a year of school with a “C” average or better began.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Courtney Carlson – Oakbrook
- Geoff Messinger – Oakbrook
- Phil Denhman – Tacoma Country & Golf Club
- Dean Sivara – Fort Lewis
1977
President – H. M. Montgomery
Secretary – Bob Romnes
Vice-President- Al Adams
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Joann Teats, director of the newly formed Washington Junior Golf Association, asked for financial assistance in getting the group up and running. Ongoing financial and administrative assistance was provided for several years. TGA also reimbursed juniors for their tournament participation throughout the region for 12 years.
Chuck Brown was the Pro-Advisor.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Jeff Baker.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Scott Allen – Fircrest
- Storm Gleim – Linden
- Steve McNall – Capital City
- Kurt Young – Tyee Valley
Fircrest continues, and Oakbrook and Linden each awarded a year’s membership to the Junior Champion.
Clint Darby was named a Director of the PNGA.
1978
President – Monty Montgomery
Secretary – Ron Hume (with Marty Blackburn succeeding)
Vice-President- Al Adams
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Mark Sivara – Fort Lewis
- Tim Daheim – Lake Spanaway
- John Bodenhamer – Ft. Steilacoom
- Matt Reiber – Meadow Park
Mark Sivara won the Junior City Match Play and the City Amateur in the same year.
Lakeland Village becomes a member of TGA.
1979
President – Al Adams
Secretary – Louis Smith
Vice-President- Ron Wright
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Walt Morgan won the City Amateur.
Brian Mogg won the TGA Junior City Match Play.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Brian Mogg – Oakbrook
- John Doyle – Brookdale
- David Morgan – Lake Spanaway
Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship recipients were Jeff Peck from PLU and Rich Hanson from UPS.
Twin Lakes and Madrona Links became a TGA member clubs.
1980
President – Ron Wright
Secretary – Ken E. Morken
Vice-President- Earl Theilade
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
The initiation of two Sweeps in one month, January (College & Ft. Steilacoom) began.
Yelm and Gold Mountain became TGA member clubs.
President’s Junior Amateur tournament added to schedule.
CPR training was given to delegates.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Scott Geroux – Capital City
- David K. Edwards – Twin Lakes
- Gary Mogg – Oakbrook
- Michael Morton – Allenmore
Walt Morgan successfully defended the Tacoma City Amateur Champion.
$1,100 was donated by the Exchange club to Junior Golf.
George Wise was provided a Life Membership in the Tacoma Golf Association.
Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship recipients were Jeff Peck from PLU and Dale Ulander from UPS.
1981
President – Ron Wright
Secretary – Ken E. Morken
Vice-President- Earl Theilade
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were: Joe Bordeaux – Fircrest Jay Jackson – Capital City Jeff Gard – Lake Spanaway Mike Petellin – Enumclaw Sweeps entry fee raised to $6. Tapps Island received membership in the Tacoma Golf Association. Jack Bartlett of Capitol City moved that a player can play in the Sweeps with the same partner, just not on the same day, nor can he win more than once with that partner. It was seconded, and, after much discussion, passed. (This motion had been passed many years earlier, but essentially forgotten.)
Emmett Torrence aced the 7th hole for a double eagle at the College Delegate meeting. It was only the second time in the course’s history that the 247-yard hole has been aced.
Jamie Kirkebo was the Tacoma City Amateur Champion.
Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship recipients were Mike McIntyre from PLU and Doug Doxie from UPS. The scholarship was increased from $275 to $375 per recipient.
The 50th Anniversary Tournament and celebration was put out for bid. It had cost overruns and was cancelled. Celebration was handled through the Annual Dinner.
1982
President – Earl Theilade
Secretary – Bill Barton
Vice-President- Ken E. Morken
Treasurer – Bill Voligny
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Clint Darby receives a Life Membership in the TGA.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Mark Severtson – Lake Spanaway
- Eric Kosel – Brookdale
- David Creighton – Auburn
- Eric Asserud – Linden
John Bodenhamer reigned as the Tacoma City Amateur Champion.
1983
President – Ken E. Morken
Secretary – Bill Barton
Vice-President- Bill Voligny
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Olympia Golf and Country Club, Scott Lake (Tumwater), and Foster (Tukwila) became TGA members. (Foster came in as Earlington became an industrial park on the North side of I-405.)
Clint Darby passed away.
Ken Tyson, pro at Madrona Links and strong Junior promoter, passed away.
Past President’s Junior Tournament passed away.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Jeff Jackson – Capital City
- John Fuchs – Allenmore
Dr. John Harbottle was Champion of the Tacoma City Amateur.
MNT (Morning News Tribune) -TGA Cup team competition begins. Eleven Men’s Clubs participate.
1984
President – Ken E. Morken
Secretary – Bill Barton
Vice-President- Bill Voligny
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Monty Montgomery and Jack Walters were awarded a Life Membership in TGA
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Bobby Pasquale – Allenmore
- Randy Fossum – Lakeland Village
John Bodenhamer recaptured the Championship of the Tacoma City Amateur.
1985
President – Bill Voligny
Secretary – Steve McBee
Vice-President- Bill Barton
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship recipients were Todd Gifford from PLU and from Drew Wakefield UPS.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Patrick McGanney – Oakbrook
- Andrew Fox – Meadow Park
Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship recipients were Todd Gifford from PLU and Andy Patterson from UPS.
Allenmore Sweeps hosted a three-day Sweeps event record 658 entries.
Vashon Island became a TGA member, as did Tumwater Valley and Carnation.
John Doyle won the Tacoma City Amateur.
Sound to Summit, a TGA supported junior tournament was introduced. John Bodenhamer served as the Park Board’s liaison with TGA, which provided the administration and scoring.
The TGA News Sweeps made its debut. This 6” x 9” four page newsletter provided current TGA news and Sweeps results. Its life span was short.
1986
President – Bill Voligny
Secretary – Steve McBee
Vice-President- Bill Barton
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Lake Spanaway won the MNT –TGA Team Cup.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipient was:
- Mark Knowles – Lakeland Village
Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship recipients were Dale Harr from PLU and Andy Patterson from UPS.
Buzz Thomas won the City Amateur.
1987
President – Bill Barton
Secretary – Bob Demko
Vice-President- Steve McBee
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Jason Follen – Allenmore
- Kurt Weibe – Lake Spanaway
- Craig Maas – Auburn
- Mark Braegelmann – Whispering Firs
Ed Honeywell passed away.
McCormick Woods joined the TGA.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Scott Smith.
Status verified as a 503 (c) (4) for IRS purposes. Senior golf program and Sweeps program outweigh Junior Golf program, scholarship and Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship processes, ergo, donations were/were not deductible. Dang.
Bob Demko, secretary, passed away. Neal Scott, then Chris James, succeeded in the Secretary’s position.
1988
President – Bill Barton
Secretary – Chris James
Vice-President- Steve McBee
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Jessie T. Allen.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Greg Asserud – Allenmore
- Sam Crawford – Fort Steilacoom
- Raymond Burrows – Linden
- Troy Helseth – Tacoma Country & Golf Club
The Champion of Champions Tournament was renamed the Jack Walters Annual Champion of Champions.
Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship recipients were Brian Flannigan from PLU and Matt Cowan from UPS. The scholarship was increased to $1,000 per recipient.
Clint Darby Memorial Scholarship given to Eric Hanson and Tim Koffman of PLU at $800 each then absorbed into the Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund.
1989
President – Steve McBee
Secretary – Wendell Thompson
Vice-President- Chris James
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Canterwood Golf & Country Club (Gig Harbor) joined the Tacoma Golf Association.
Allenmore won the MNT – TGA Cup.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- John Sheahan – Capital City
- Chris Sheppard – Linden
- Jeff McRae – Lake Spanaway
- Greg Richards – Brookdale
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Dave York.
1990
President – Steve McBee
Secretary – Gene Jenkins
Vice-President- Chris James
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Lipoma Firs, Meridian Greens, and Carnation joins the TGA
TGA Junior Scholarship recipient was:
- Justin Lyon – Fircrest
Allenmore wins the MNT – TGA Cup, again. The Tacoma City Amateur crowned James Follen as Champion.
Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship recipients were Matt Walden from PLU and Steve Reents from UPS. The scholarship was $1,000 per recipient.
Mike Dillon, Madrona Links, had a hole-in-one- at the Allenmore delegate meeting.
1991
President – Chris James
Secretary – Gene Jenkins
Vice-President- Mike Rebar
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Ken E. Morken aced #2 at University during the delegate meeting. Playing in a five-some, with each golfer being from a different course, the scores on the hole were: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Monty Montgomery didn’t want anyone to know who had the double bogey 5.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Colin Christopherson – Fort Lewis
- Brian Wright – North Shore
James Follen defended his Tacoma City Amateur Championship.
Al Adams received Life membership to TGA. TGA also gains a sister club in Venezuela, compliments of Al’s son.
1992
President – Chris James
Secretary – Jack Pogorlic
Vice-President- Mike Rebar
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Matt Daheim – Lake Spanaway
- Matt Mulka – Olympia Golf & Country Club
George Wise passed away.
James Follen, again, defended his Tacoma City Amateur Championship. He was the first City Amateur Champion to ‘three-peet’ since Chuck Hunter, Jr. in 1937.
1993
President – Mike Rebar
Secretary – Neal Scott
Vice-President – Jack Pogorlic
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- James Reed Berry – Lake Wilderness
- Stephen Smith – Clover Valley
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Ben Lensgrave.
1994
President – Mike Rebar
Secretary – Neal Scott
Vice-President- Jack Pogorlic
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Josh Hasford – Enumclaw
- Louis Kremer – Enumclaw
- Ryan Kaskie – Meadow Park
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Karl Smith.
1995
President – Jack Pogorlic
Secretary – John Sund
Vice-President- Neal Scott
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Aaron Kieth – Riverbend
- Jamie Kim – Meadow Park
- Marcus Tsurusaki – Maplewood
- Andy Ternes – Auburn
- Andy Case – Riverbend
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Dan Kiley.
1996
President – Jack Pogorlic
Secretary – John Sund
Vice-President- Neal Scott
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Riverbend wins the renamed Tribune Team Cup competition.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Joe Korn – Foster
- Eric Hengsberger – Jade Greens
- Joe Zaputel – Enumclaw
- Jamie Kim – Meadow Park
Greg Ott won the Tacoma City Amateur.
1997
President – Neal Scott
Secretary – Dan Farmer
Vice-President- John Sund
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Dick Kanda, PNGA President was introduced as the new Olympia Golf and Country Club delegate to the TGA.
Because of PLU and UPS elevating their athletic departments from NAIA to NCAA Division III, the schools can no longer accept individual scholarships to their athletes. TGA wrestles with how to utilize the Erv Marlow, Jr. Memorial Scholarship monies. It was decided to provide the money jointly to the schools to annually underwrite the season ending conference tournament. Erv Marlow, Sr. serves as host to the tournament awards ceremony.
Riverbend, again, wins the Tribune Team Cup competition.
Senior City Amateur was renamed the C.W. Taylor Senior City Championship.
Loren Allard and Clarence Taylor passed away
Elk Run (Covington) joins the TGA.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Clint Thompson – McCormick Woods
- Killy Layboun – Gig Harbor
- Jeff Abbott – Lake Spanaway
- Tyson Heffman – Enumclaw
JD Rushton became the Tacoma City Amateur Champion.
1998
President – John Sund
Secretary – Dan Farmer
Vice-President- Barry Schofield
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Bill Barton became a Life Member of the TGA.
Past Presidents, who were not delegates, were provided voting privileges.
The election process was moved from the Annual Meeting to the October Supersweeps meeting to avoid any contentious misuse of the election process at the Annual Meeting. There will be no old or new business conducted at the Annual Meeting with the exception of the Installation of Officers. The meeting was to be a time of reflection and celebration.
A few women joined men’s club for added competition purposes. It was decided they were eligible for the MNT Team Cup competition, but they had to play from the men’s tees.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Brandon Faust – Tumwater Valley
- Nathan Hunt – Willows Run
- Matt Holland – Madrona Links
- Shawn Shreve – North Shore
- Bobby Olson – The Classic
- Kris Swanson – Capital City
Ben Lensgrave returned as Champion of the Tacoma City Amateur.
1999
President – John Sund
Secretary – Bob Erickson
Vice-President- Barry Schofield
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents President
Sund resigned and Barry Schofield became president. Bob Erickson was elevated to Vice President and Ken E. Morken filled in as Secretary.
Emmett Torrence passed away.
The Tournament formerly known as the TNT-TGA Cup was renamed the American Golf Cup, after the current owners of The Classic.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Josh Deck – Brookdale
- Matt Hubbard – Foster
- Matt Rushton – The Classic
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Dusty Brett.
Tumwater Valley rejoined the TGA.
2000
President – Bob Erickson
Secretary – Ken E. Morken
Vice-President- Ken Vogt
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
The Father – Son Tournament finally admitted daughters. Unsure of a new name for the event, the secretary called it the Pop – Poopster Tourney. The name was roundly flushed for a lack of enthusiasm.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Gilbert Quitlong – Jefferson
- Aaron Sumil – Foster
- Joe Burns – Linden
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Alec Coleman.
A second Vice-President was added to the Executive Board to assist in the duties of calendar and tournament administration.
2001
President – Bob Erickson
Secretary – Ken E. Morken
Vice-President- Andy Bergman
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Vice – President – Ron McClellen
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
tgagolf.org came into existence. Glen Saltz began service as TGA’s webmaster. The site held a compendium of TGA-related information and links. And George Egge began service as the group’s e-mail guru, providing notices and updates.
The Publinx fund of the TGA account, dating to 1931, was dissolved and absorbed into the General Fund.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Joe Burns – Linden
- Taylor Ferris – Fircrest
- Do Hyung Ha – Meridian Valley
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Greg Ott.
2002
President – Bob Erickson
Secretary – Jack Burns
Vice-President- Andy Bergman
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Vice-President- Ron McClellen
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
The American Golf Team Cup was dissolved citing lack of participation.
Canterwood returned as a TGA member.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Aaron Kerth –
- Tyson Hiffman –
- Evan Hreha –
- Taylor Ferris – Fircrest
David Talcott became Champion of the Tacoma City Amateur.
2003
President – Andy Bergman
Secretary – Ron Hovey
Vice-President- Ron McClellen
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Vice-President- Bob Erickson
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Cash Awards for Sweeps participation was renewed.
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Kellen Eakin
- Casey Deskin
- Tim Bartz
- Sung Lee
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Greg Ott.
2004
President – Andy Bergman
Secretary – Dave Clark
Vice-President- Ron Hovey
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Vice-President- Bob Erickson
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
John Ladenberg, Pierce County Executive, provided an insightful update concerning proposed Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place.
The Tacoma City Amateur Champion was Sean Packer
TGA Grand Notifier George Egge was deservedly named WSGA Volunteer of the Year.
Neal Scott passed away.
2005
President – Andy Bergman
Secretary – Dave Clark
Vice-President- Ron Hovey
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Vice-President – Bob Erickson
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
TGA Junior Scholarship recipients were:
- Sidney Solomonson
- Joel Schenfeld
- Ricky Owens
Dick Kanda passed away.
2006
President – Ron Hovey
Secretary – Chris Goodman
Vice-President- Dave Clark
Treasurer – Chet Hasting
Vice-President- Ken Johnson
Executive Board – all active Past-Presidents
Endnotes
This was a worthwhile and necessary project. There were a couple of lessons to be gained from this exercise. The Secretary’s minutes need to have detail.
What may not appear important at a meeting may have greater ramifications months or years down the road. The effort must be made. The early notes, through the middle 1940’s give excellent detail.
As the association grew, the meetings and record keeping became more pedantic. Even when attempts were made at preserving the minutes, By-laws would go missing, and there was/is no formal indexing of motions, amendments, decisions, etc.
The TGA’s self-importance in carrying rating authority, reinstatement of amateurs, and the seemingly eternal quest for handicap enforcement being among the most flagrant. Clint Darby had taken it upon himself to write a history of the first 50 – 55 years of the TGA in the mid- 1970’s, yet there were no copies to be found in any of the boxes that either H.M. Montgomery and I had stored.
What H.M. had at Allenmore was the closest thing TGA had to a central repository, yet not all of the information got relayed to be stored. For example, we were completely missing three years of minutes.
When, and if, the 100-year history is written, would be my hope that better record keeping evolved. Minutes and tournament records were extra important. As much as TGA has been an institution with an extensive paper trail, it is by and for the players, the people. It is the participants more than the officials that this group was born to serve. We must not lose sight of that.