News

Posted on

MICHIGAN GOLF HALL OF FAME: Michael Harris, John Lindert, Roger Ostrander Inducted – Loretta Larkin Receives Special Award

BIG RAPIDS – Michael Harris, a championship winner at the junior, collegiate and professional golf levels, John Lindert, a PGA golf professional whose dedicated service to the game includes being elected President of the PGA of America, and the late Roger Ostrander, a respected rules official from local to international levels, are members of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame (MGHOF).

 The threesome was inducted Sunday at Ferris State University’s Katke Golf Club, home of the Ken Janke Sr. Golf Learning Center that houses the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame (MGHOF). The 2025 class brings the number of inductees to 143.

 In addition, the MGHOF presented just its seventh Special Award in history to Loretta Larkin of Dexter, who has served as the administrator for the MGHOF for 29 years.

 “We had a wonderful celebration of a threesome that reflects the best of Michigan golf in playing ability, national leadership and dedication to the rules, and presenting Loretta Larkin a Special Award for the special things she does, helped to make it a perfect day,” Greg Johnson, MGHOF committee chairman, said.

  Harris, 47, formerly of Troy and currently residing in Brookfield, Wis., started winning championships at the junior golf level, twice winning the Michigan Junior Amateur Championship. As an amateur he won the GAM Championship, the Horton Smith Invitational Championship, was the runner-up to Flint’s John Lindholm in the Michigan Amateur Championship in 1997, won the Northeast Amateur, played intwo U.S. Amateurs and was a standout at the University of Michigan, winning eight tournaments, including the 1999 Big Ten Conference individual title. As a professional he was the Canadian Tour Order of Merit Winner in 2005, won the 2005 Michigan Open and five times returned home from tour golf to win the Michigan PGA Tournament of Champions at Boyne Mountain. He also played in the U.S. Open twice, in 2000 and 2006 before injuries ended his competitive golf career.

  Lindert, 68, a Grand Ledge resident and the head golf professional at Country Club of Lansing, moved to Michigan in 1993 to become the head golf professional at Spring Lake Country Club where he served until becoming the head professional at Country Club of Lansing in 2002. He has filled multiple leadership roles for the Michigan PGA, including serving as a chapter and section president, worked actively with the First Tee of Mid-Michigan, and since 2006 has served in various roles with the PGA of America. He was elected president of the PGA in 2022 becoming just the third Michigan PGA member to ever serve in that position. He also became the first PGA of America member in history to serve as a Board of Control appointee, district director and president. He has won multiple service awards, including Michigan Golf Professional of the Year and the Michigan PGA Player Development Award and is a member of the Michigan PGA Hall of Fame.

 Ostrander, known best in golf as Dr. O, died of cancer in 2015 at the age of 74, but not before a career as an oral surgeon in Grand Rapids, and then a second career as a rules official, most often volunteering his time. He softened the hard-line of the rules of golf with an approachable, outgoing personality and served as a rules official for over two decades. As a Golf Association of Michigan Governor and Chairman of the Championship Committee he worked at multiple Michigan Amateur Championships as well as championships for all age groups and genders, worked for the Michigan PGA Section at their top championships, including the Michigan Open, and went on to serve the USGA officiating at six U.S. Opens, nine U.S. Senior Opens and 14 U.S. Amateurs while also being on the USGA Mid-Amateur Championship Committee for 18 years. He enjoyed helping young golfers, especially aspiring PGA professionals when he conducted PGA Playing Ability Tests for the Professional Golf Management students at Ferris State University. His grandson Matthew is now a student in the PGM program and accepted the hall of fame plaque on his grandfather’s behalf Sunday.

 Larkin, 62, has served as the administrator of the MGHOF since 1996. She manages and maintains financial records, the non-profit status of the hall of fame, the nominatinig and voting procedures, organization and management of the induction ceremonies, creation of the annual program publication, coordinating and cataloging of the memorabilia collection and all communication to current members and committee members. She currently also works as director of organizational and human resources for the Golf Association of Michigan.

The MGHOF is a heralded collection of portraits, plaques, and memorabilia that currently commemorates 143 members, including Walter Hagen, Chuck Kocsis and Dave Hill, and more current notables Dan Pohl, Meg Mallon and Kelly Robbins. 

 The MGHOF is administered by the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Committee, which has been funded since 1996 through the non-profit Michigan Golf Foundation (501(c)(3)) and includes 16 people representing a cross-section of the state’s golf associations as well as golf media. The MGHOF committee conducts an annual election to recognize the achievements of competitive Michigan golfers, but also the accomplishments of individuals who have contributed to the game. For more information and to learn about the current members of the Hall of Fame, visit mghof.org.

THE PHOTO: A 2025 class photo, from left, Special Award winner Loretta Larkin, Michael Harris, Matthew Ostrander with the plaque of his late grandfather, and John Lindert.

Posted on

Michigan Golf Mourns Selfless Teacher and Hall of Famer Dave Kendall

Dave Kendall was somehow selfless in a game that at its core requires you to swing the club yourself.

 He died earlier this week after a battle with cancer leaving an insurmountable hole in Michigan golf as well as in the hearts ofhis loving family, endless stream of friends, former golf students and an incalculable number of people touched by the kindness he shared each day.

 He was 70 and is gone too soon.

Dave is one of the most remarkable people I’ve met in 68 years of life and well over 40 years of telling the stories of golfers, their tournaments, their successes, and failures.

 The family plans to have a memorial event of some fashion yet to be determined soon, and he will be celebrated.

 Earlier this spring he was presented with the Distinguished Service Award by the Golf Association of Michigan, its highest honor.

 He was humbled and his eyes were shining and wet with emotion as he offered a stirring, inspiring acceptance speech.

 “I loved playing competitive golf because I thought that if I could learn to do it well, I’d love the competition and maybe I could be more credible as a teacher,” he said in the speech. “But the greatest benefits of learning to play well went far beyond that. I learned that managing my expectations and learning from my mistakes had benefits well beyond golf. There are no undefeated seasons. I learned that improving is also winning. We all make mistakes. Not learning from them is losing.”

Pure Dave. Ask any of his students from The Kendall Academy he founded. He didn’t just break down your swing, offer drills to try or tips and make you a better golfer. With his words, his kindness, and his almost shy sharing of life lessons, he alsomade you a better person by the end of the lesson.

 I first met him as a caddie, then met him again as a fellow PGA professional and friend of Lynn Janson, a Grand Rapids professional and dynamic player demanding the attention of the local newspaper and its golf writer.

  He was the teacher of Matt Harmon, a gifted young golfer from Grand Rapids who starred at Michigan State University and came oh so close to a PGA Tour dream.

I met him, it seemed, again and again over the years. 

“I remember you,” he would say when I offered my name as a reminder.

He never missed a chance to tell me he enjoyed what I wrote about Lynn, or about Matt, or about Randy Erskine or Buddy Whitten or any number of other golfers. In my newspaper world he was a person who passed on praise instead of judgement, genuine thanks instead of criticism. 

 Finally, one Monday, in a pro-am, we played together in the same group. And here’s the thing, I don’t remember much about the golf and how I played. What I remember is how he helped every member of the group enjoy the game and the day.

Years later when Dave’s fellow Michigan Golf Hall of Famerand friend, Randy Erksine, was playing some on the PGA Tour Champions, I finally found somebody who finished second to Dave as the best pro-am guy ever. 

I told Randy. He said that was the only time he liked being second.

Just a few weeks ago, Patrick Wilkes-Krier, who now owns The Kendall Golf Academy, won the Michigan PGA Professional Championship at Walnut Creek Country Club. 

 He fought his emotions as he talked about his mentor Dave Kendall.

  “I think about Dave every day,” he said. “I used a Kendall Academy ball marker, and I put it down with that K up every time. A huge part of me wanted to come out on the right side of this tournament for Dave, give him something to feel good about. He’s been my mentor and my inspiration, and honestly, I’m among many who would say that. So, to come away with a trophy and kind of honor him with it feels really good.”

Earlier this spring at the Michigan PGA Senior Open at Bedford Valley in Battle Creek, Dave, seemingly doing incredibly well in his cancer battle, shot 70, his age, and finished among the top five in the over-65 Super Senior Division. 

After he had completed his round and turned in his scorecard, it was Erskine who first approached him, needled him and offered the kind of friendly insults only longtime friends can share.

Dave laughed, and when Randy walked off, Dave teared up. He said it’s nice to be treated like one of the guys, not some guy with cancer.

 Dave was as quick to tears as he was to being kind. It was just him.

 Matt Harmon, fresh off being a Big Ten Player of the Year, competed in his first PGA Tour event at the Buick Open in 2009. Dave watched him make the 36-hole cut. Standing nearby as Harmon signed some autographs, Dave wiped away tears.

 “So happy for Matt,” he said. “He works so hard at the game. He deserves this so much.”

 We shared other moments. I chair the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame committee that elected him in 2015. He was truly humbled and embarrassed that everybody made such a fuss. He attended the induction last October, amid his battle with cancer, when I was humbly inducted for getting to tell stories about golfers like Dave.

 “You deserve this so much,” he told me.

 I wiped tears from my cheeks that day, as we all did this week when we heard the news.

  A truly selfless man has departed, but not before he made the world better, one shot, one lesson, one kind word at a time. Rest in peace Dave Kendall. We will remember you.

Posted on

Michigan Golf Hall of Fame:  Threesome Elected

Michael Harris, John Lindert, Roger Ostrander to be Inducted in October

Special Award Being Presented to MGHOF Administrator Loretta Larkin

  BIG RAPIDS – Michael Harris, a championship winner at the junior, collegiate and professional golf levels, John Lindert, a PGA golf professional whose dedicated service to the game includes being elected President of the PGA of America, and the late Roger Ostrander, a respected rules official from local to international levels, have been elected to the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame (MGHOF).

  The threesome will be inducted Oct. 26 at Ferris State University’s Katke Golf Club, home of the Ken Janke Sr. Golf Learning Center that houses the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame (MGHOF). The 2025 class will bring the number of inductees to 143.

  In addition, the MGHOF has voted to present just its seventh Special Award in history to Loretta Larkin of Dexter, who has served as the administrator for the MGHOF for 29 years.

  “This tremendous threesome reflects the best of Michigan golf in playing ability, national leadership and dedication to the rules, and Loretta Larkin performs the tasks that make the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame a perfect place to remember all who have been elected,” Greg Johnson, MGHOF committee chairman, said in announcing the 2025 class. “Mark your calendars now to come help us celebrate on October 26 at the Hall of Fame.”

   Harris, 47, formerly of Troy and currently residing in Brookfield, Wis., started winning championships at the junior golf level, twice topping the stroke play field in the Michigan Junior Amateur Championship. As an amateur he won the GAM Championship, the Horton Smith Invitational Championship, was the runner-up to Flint’s John Lindholm in the Michigan Amateur Championship in 1997, won the Northeast Amateur, played in the U.S. Amateur in 1996 and was a standout collegiate golfer at the University of Michigan, winning six tournaments and winning medalist honors at the Big Ten Conference Championships in 1999 while twice being named to the All-Big Ten Conference Team. As a professional he was the Canadian Tour Order of Merit Winner in 2005, won the 2005 Michigan Open and five times returned home from tour golf to win the Michigan PGA Tournament of Champions at Boyne Mountain. He also played in the U.S. Open twice, in 2000 and 2006 before injuries ended his competitive golf career.

   Lindert, 68, a Grand Ledge resident and the head golf professional at Country Club of Lansing, moved to Michigan in 1993 to become the head golf professional at Spring Lake Country Club where he served until becoming the head professional at Country Club of Lansing in 2002. He has seemingly filled every leadership role possible for the Michigan PGA, including serving as a chapter and section president, worked actively with the First Tee of Mid-Michigan, and since 2006 has served, been appointed to and elected to serve in various roles with the PGA of America. He was elected president of the PGA in 2022 becoming just the third Michigan PGA member to ever serve in that position joining Horton Smith and Warren Orlick. He also became the first PGA of America member in history to serve as a Board of Control appointee, district director and president. He has won multiple service awards, including Michigan Golf Professional of the Year and the Michigan PGA Player Development Award and is a member of the Michigan PGA Hall of Fame.

  Ostrander, known nationally in golf as Dr. O, died of cancer in 2015 at the age of 74, but not before a career as an oral surgeon in Grand Rapids, and then a second career as a rules official, most often volunteering his time. He softened the hard-line of the rules of golf with an approachable, outgoing personality and served as a rules official for over two decades. As a Golf Association of Michigan Governor and Chairman of the Championship Committee he worked at multiple Michigan Amateur Championships as well as championships for all age groups and genders, worked for the Michigan PGA Section at their top championships, including the Michigan Open, and went on to serve the USGA officiating at six U.S. Opens, nine U.S. Senior Opens and 14 U.S. Amateurs while also being on the USGA Mid-Amateur Championship Committee for 18 years. He enjoyed helping young golfers, especially aspiring PGA professionals when he conducted PGA Playing Ability Tests for the Professional Golf Management students at Ferris State University.

  Larkin, 62, has served as the administrator of the MGHOF since 1996. She manages and maintains financial records, the non-profit status of the hall of fame, the nominating and voting procedures, organization and management of the induction ceremonies, creation of the annual program publication, coordinating and cataloging of the memorabilia collection and all communication to current members and committee members. She currently also works as director of organizational and human resources for the Golf Association of Michigan.

  “Loretta does all of this with not only exceptional expertise but also with kindness, humor, calmness, integrity and love for the hall of fame and what it means to golf in Michigan,” Sara Wold, MGHOF member, said in helping make the nomination for the award.

  The MGHOF is a heralded collection of portraits, plaques, and memorabilia that currently commemorates 140 members, including Walter Hagen, Chuck Kocsis and Dave Hill, and more current notables Dan Pohl, Meg Mallon and Kelly Robbins. The collection is housed and displayed in the Ken Janke Sr. Golf Learning Center at Ferris State University’s Katke facility.

  The MGHOF is administered by the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Committee, which has been funded since 1996 through the non-profit Michigan Golf Foundation (501(c)(3)) and includes 16 people representing a cross-section of the state’s golf associations as well as golf media. The MGHOF committee conducts an annual election to recognize the achievements of competitive Michigan golfers, but also the accomplishments of individuals who have contributed to the game. For more information and to learn about the current members of the Hall of Fame, visit mghof.org.

INFORMATION CONTACTS: Loretta Larkin, MGHOF administrator, llarkin@michigan-golf-foundation.com, 248-719-0650. Media contact: Greg Johnson, gregeeee24@gmail.com, 616-560-8995.

Posted on

MICHIGAN GOLF HALL OF FAME: Greg Johnson, Stephen Kircher, Kevin VandenBerg Inducted

BIG RAPIDS – Greg Johnson, an award-winning sports journalist and Hudsonville resident, Stephen Kircher, the President and CEO of Boyne Resorts in Boyne Falls, and Kevin VandenBerg, a multi-time amateur golf champion originally from Mattawan, were inducted into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame (MGHOF) Sunday at Ferris State University’s Katke Golf Course.

The threesome brings the number of inductees to 140. The ceremony was conducted in the Ken Janke Sr. Golf Learning Center at Katke, which houses the MGHOF.

Johnson, 67, worked for almost 30 years with the Grand Rapids Press and is currently a media consultant for the state’s most prominent golf associations. He has authored newspaper and magazine stories on all aspects of the game and has covered Michigan’s biggest golf tournaments for four decades.

In addition, during his newspaper career he was a columnist covering sports at every level in Michigan and nationally as well, including major championship golf, the Olympic Games, Super Bowls and more.

A longtime committee member of the MGHOF, Johnson was instrumental in establishing its new home at Ferris State and currently serves as chairperson and president of the Michigan Golf Foundation.

Kircher, 59, is the son of Michigan Golf Hall of Famer Everett Kircher and followed in his father’s footsteps in leading the largest family-owned four-season resort company in North America. They are the third parent-child duo in the MGHOF joining Bruce Matthews and Jerry Matthews, and Pete Green and Suzy Green-Roebuck.

Kircher was a player first, winning an individual state high school championship for Boyne City High, earning letters at two universities (Northwestern and Michigan State) and maintaining a scratch handicap for over 30 years.

His numerous contributions to golf include leading efforts to grow and develop the industry in Michigan. He is a past chair of the Michigan Travel Commission, a founding member of the America’s Summer Golf Capital Association, co-founder of the unique Tournament of Champions, co-designer of the Hills Course and Bay Harbor Golf Club courses and works closely with the Boyne team on new projects.

VandenBerg, 58, has demonstrated playing excellence at state and national levels.

The former Kalamazoo Golf Association president most notably is the only golfer to win the Michigan Amateur, GAM Championship and GAM Mid-Amateur Championship in the same year (2000).

He moved to Pulaski, N.Y., in 2007 and focused on building a financial management business, but after turning 55 started playing senior competition, including two U.S. Senior Opens and two U.S. Senior Amateurs. He was runner-up in Golfweek’s Senior Player of the Year rankings in 2022 before being named Golfweek’s Senior Player of the Year in 2023, a year in which he had 13 top five finishes in 20 tournament starts.

VandenBerg regularly returns to play in Michigan tournaments by maintaining his Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) membership, and earlier this year he won the GAM Senior Match Play Championship.

The MGHOF includes a heralded collection of portraits and memorabilia that commemorate the leading Michigan golfers and contributors to the game.

The MGHOF is administered by the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Committee, and funded through the non-profit Michigan Golf Foundation (501(c)(3)) since 1996. It includes 17 people representing a cross-section of the state’s golf associations as well as golf media and conducts an annual election to recognize the achievements of competitive Michigan golfers, but also the accomplishments of individuals who have contributed to the game. For more information and to learn about the current members of the Hall of Fame, visit mghof.org.

Posted on

MICHIGAN GOLF FAMILY CELEBRATES LIFE OF MSU’S JOE VARGAS

 

Joseph M. Vargas, Jr.

Funeral arrangements have been announced for Joseph M. Vargas, Jr., aka Dr. Joe, who passed away recently after a bout with pancreatitis.

  The Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member and professor of Plant Pathology (PhD) in the Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences Department at Michigan State University for over five decades, will be celebrated in a funeral mass on Saturday, June 1, at 12:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in East Lansing. A Celebration of Life ceremony at Reno’s East, in East Lansing will follow the mass.

  Fond memorials and expressions of sympathy may be made at https://www.villagefh.com/obituaries/Dr-Joseph-Martin-Vargas?obId=31298052.

 The family wishes memorial contributions to be made to the Dr. Joe Vargas Chair in Turfgrass Pathology at Michigan State University using this link: https://givingto.msu.edu/gift/?sid=18628, or by check payable to “Michigan State University” and including Joe Vargas Chair in Turfgrass Pathology or A108101 on the memo line of your check. Gifts by mail should be sent to: CANR Advancement Office, Michigan State University, 446 West Circle Drive, Room 319, East Lansing, MI 48824. Donations may also be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church: elcatholics.org\donate.

  Dr. Vargas produced research with international implications for turfgrass, authored over 200 articles on turfgrass diseases and related subjects, made over 1000 presentations at turfgrass conferences around the world, and authored the most widely used turfgrass disease book titled “Management of Turfgrass Diseases.”

  “MSU’s turf program has always been well respected, but his travels and innovative investigations and discovery of diseases that were unknown at the time brought world-wide attention to his work. He’s certainly the face of turf pathology,” Carey Mitchelson, executive director of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation told the GAM for a recently published Michigan Links feature.

  “It was Dr. Vargas who put a microscope in as a valuable tool and his discovery of disease and the proper cure for them that turned the turf world, and particularly the golf course industry, into a new dimension in the 1980s and ‘90s. Golf courses went from being good golf courses to becoming great golf courses in all kinds of extreme conditions.”

Dr. Joseph Martin Vargas, Jr., of East Lansing, passed away peacefully with family at his side on April 18, 2024. He was born in Fall River, Massachusetts on March 11, 1942, the son of the late Joseph Martin, Sr., and Rita (Gallery) Vargas.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, MaryAnn Vargas; sons Joseph Martin Vargas, III; Michael (Vicky) Vargas; daughter Kathleen Vargas; grandchildren, Brennan Vargas, Madeline Vargas, Thomas Vargas; brothers Kevin Vargas, John (Veronica) Vargas; several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends and colleagues.

Joseph graduated from De La Salle High School in Tiverton, Rhode Island, in 1959. He spent his youth working on his Grandparent’s farm, milking cows, tending to the crops, and performing other various farm duties. He also worked at Fall River Country Club, which sparked his interest in turf grass. Upon high school graduation, Joseph attended the University of Rhode Island, where he received his B.S. in 1963, and met his future wife, MaryAnn Duffy. He went on to receive his M.S. from Oklahoma State University in 1965, and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1968.

Dr. Vargas has been a professor of Plant Pathology/Turf Grass Management at Michigan State University since 1968, where he has been involved in teaching, research, and extension. He has published over 200 articles on turfgrass diseases and related subjects. He has also published the most widely used turfgrass disease book entitled “Management of Turfgrass Diseases,” and co-authored two other books, “Poa annua: Physiology, Culture, and Control of Annual Bluegrass” and “The Turf Problem Solver.”
An accomplished speaker, he has given over 1000 presentations at various turfgrass conferences throughout the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Spain, Japan, Portugal, and South Africa, to name a few.

Although his career accomplishments are numerous, some of his major successes include demonstrating that annual bluegrass in the field dies from two diseases rather than from high summer-time temperatures, and determining that the true cause of black layer is excess sulfur in the soil. Dr. Vargas was instrumental in the development of the first mathematical prediction model for a turfgrass disease: the anthracnose fungicide timing model.

Dr. Vargas was always on call and was the number one friend to golf course superintendents throughout Michigan, and the world. He has received many awards throughout his stellar career, including the Michigan Turfgrass Foundations Meritorious Service Award (1996); Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendent A. A. Distinguish Service Award (1996); GCSAA Distinguished Service Award (1997); Lawn and Landscape Magazine’s Leadership Award (2001); National Turfgrass Foundation Research Award (UK) (2002); USGA Green Section Award (2007); Ohio Turfgrass Life Time Achievement Award (2012); Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Induction (2016); Distinguished Faculty Award – College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University (2019); Michigan Golf Course Owners Distinguished Service Award (2021).

In his spare time, Joseph enjoyed deer and pheasant hunting with his sons. He was an avid Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and Detroit Lions fan. Joseph was an honorary member of the Red Run Country Club in Royal Oak, where he participated in many golf tournaments. And of course, all who knew Joseph saw his second persona rocking the crowd – “Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has entered the building!” He loved putting on his costume and performing his “Elvis” show at family gatherings and work events. Joseph was very proud of his family, and truly loved his work. He touched many lives, both personally and professionally. The “King” will live forever in our hearts.

 

Posted on

Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Raffle

Congratulations to the winners!

American Dunes                               William Pierson

Angels Crossing                                 Scott Niva

Battle Creek CC                                  Robert Gohsman

Belvedere GC                                     Patrick Morin

Black Lake GC                                     John Catt

Boyne                                                   William Constantine

College Fields                                     Colin Loomis

Crystal Downs                                   Pam Tyler

Forest Akers                                        Coleen Krieg

Gaylord GC                                          Judith McWhirter

Grosse Ile G & CC                              Alex Brown

Indian River                                        Kevin Dermody

Interlochen Hartmann Aue

CC of Jackson                                     Kyle Ecker

Katke GC Mark Olson

Oakland Hills CC                                E D Shumacher

Oakland University                          John McIntosh

Pilgrim’s Run                                      Todd Conesti

Plum Hollow CC                                Bob Carson

RedWater Properties                      John Shelar

Saginaw CC                                         Sara Wold

Spring Lake CC                                   Josh Stern

Spring Meadows CC                        Nicholas Howard

University of Michigan GC             Dale Boone

Washtenaw GC                                  Sue Campbell

Posted on

Threesome Inducted to Michigan Golf Hall of Fame

Michigan Section PGA Receives Special Award

A photo of the Class of 2023, from left, Sally Faubel holding her husband’s plaque, Doug LaBelle and Jean Murray.

BIG RAPIDS –  The late Gerald “Jerry” Faubel, superintendent at Saginaw Country Club for over 35 years and a national turfgrass leader, Doug LaBelle II of Mount Pleasant, twice a PGA Tour player in 16 years on professional golf tours around the world, and Jean Murray of Mount Pleasant, a standout player, Golf Association of Michigan volunteer and high school golf coach, have been inducted and are part of 137 members of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame (MGHOF).

 The ceremony Sunday at Ferris State University’s Katke Golf Club, home of the Ken Janke Sr. Golf Learning Center that houses the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, included a special appearance by Dr. Bill Pink, president of Ferris, who shared in the announcement of a new long-term tenant agreement for the Hall of Fame.

  The MGHOF, founded in 1982, also presented just a sixth Historical Special Award to the Michigan Section PGA, which in 2022 celebrated 100 years as one of the 41 sections of the PGA of America.

  Faubel, who passed away at home in Arcadia in December of 2022 at the age of 81, was a native of Iowa who came to Michigan for the superintendent’s job at Saginaw Country Club in 1969. He was the first president of the Mid-Michigan Turf Association and was a board member for seven years with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Faubel also traveled around the world to promote turfgrass studies and research, served with United States Golf Association (USGA) committees in multiple roles, helped found Executive Golf Search Inc. to aid superintendents in job placement, and with legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones created a scholarship endowment fund.

 “He would be so pleased,” said Sally, his wife. “Growing up he wanted to be a farmer, but he ended up being in golf and turfgrass and Saginaw Country Club and its members were so great to him and supportive of the things he did.”

  LaBelle, 48 and a real-estate broker in Mount Pleasant, played tour golf for 16 years, including four on the PGA Tour and eight on what is now the PGA’s Korn Ferry Tour. He collected 96 PGA Tour starts including a pair of U.S. Opens and a British Open, and he played in 150 Korn Ferry tournaments. He won over $2.4 million combined and collected two Korn Ferry wins. At the University of New Mexico, he was a two-time All-American and won three individual titles. In 1998 he was a prestigious Palmer Cup selection for Team USA. While growing up he won multiple junior golf titles, was an all-state selection in high school and in the 1996 Michigan Amateur Championship was the runner-up to legend Pete Green.

  “I’m humbled to be part of this incredible group of golf people in Michigan,” LaBelle said. “When you play you don’t think of things like this, at least I didn’t. I just kept trying to work on what I could do be better and to reach the next level.”

  Murray, 85 a former GAM Governor and now Honorary Governor who continues to volunteer, won the inaugural GAM Senior Women’s Championship in 1997 and four times was in the top 10 on the GAM Honor Roll. She has won multiple Michigan Women’s Golf Association titles and the Mount Pleasant Country Club championship 22 times. In 2009 at age 71 after two hip replacements, she won the prestigious Spring Lake Invitational. She also coached the girls’ golf team at Mount Pleasant High for 10 years, winning a state title in 1978 and leading four state runner-up teams, and has also served the Mid-Michigan District Women’s Golf Association and the Saginaw Valley Women’s Golf Association.

  “This means so much because I can share it with the team, my great friends I’ve met being involved in golf all these years,” Murray said. “I grew up on a farm, a long way from any neighbors. I was by myself a lot, wanted to get a tan so I used my dads clubs and started hitting golf balls around the fields.”

  The Michigan Section PGA received the Special Award to honor its history and the work of over 800 members. PGA Professionals not only compete, but teach the game, direct golf facilities and are involved in various philanthropic efforts like Project Hope and Folds of Honor supporting military veterans, the Midnight Golf Program in Detroit and grow-the-game junior golf initiatives like PGA Junior League and Drive, Chip & Putt.

  Bill Hobson, a member of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Committee, served as the master of ceremonies for the induction.

  The MGHOF is a heralded collection of portraits, plaques and memorabilia that commemorate its 137 members, including Walter Hagen and Chuck Kocsis and Al Watrous, and more current notables Meg Mallon, Dan Pohl and Kelly Robbins. The collection is housed and displayed in the Ken Janke Sr. Golf Learning Center, which is named in honor of the MGHOF co-founder.

  The MGHOF is administered by the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Committee, which is funded through the non-profit Michigan Golf Foundation (501(c) (3) since 1996) and includes 16 people representing a cross-section of the state’s golf associations as well as golf media. The MGHOF committee conducts an annual election to recognize the achievements of competitive Michigan golfers, but also accomplishments of individuals who have contributed to the growth of the game. For more information and to learn about the current members of the Hall of Fame, visit mghof.org.

INFORMATION CONTACTS: Loretta Larkin, MGHOF administrator, llarkin@michigan-golf-foundation.com, 248-719-0650. Media contact: Greg Johnson, gregeeee24@gmail.com, 616-560-8995

Posted on

Threesome Elected to Michigan Golf Hall of Fame

Michigan Section PGA to Receive Special Award

BIG RAPIDS –  The late Gerald “Jerry” Faubel, superintendent at Saginaw Country Club for over 35 years and a national turfgrass leader, Doug LaBelle of Mount Pleasant, twice a PGA Tour player in 16 years on professional golf tours around the world, and Jean Murray of Mount Pleasant, a standout player, Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) Honorary Governor and high school golf coach, have been elected to the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame (MGHOF).

Doug LaBelle, lower left Jean Murray and Gerald Faubel
Doug LaBelle, lower left Jean Murray and Gerald Faubel

  The trio will be inducted on Oct. 29 at Ferris State University’s Katke Golf Club, home of the Ken Janke Sr. Golf Learning Center that houses the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame. The 2023 class will bring the number of inductees to 137.

  In addition, the MGHOF has voted to present its sixth Special Award in history to the Michigan Section PGA, which in 2022 celebrated 100 years as one of the 41 sections of the PGA of America.

 “This Mid-Michigan threesome reflects the best of Michigan golf in national leadership, playing ability and dedicated service to the game, and the Michigan Section PGA hits on all three of those fronts with 100 years of impact,” said Greg Johnson, MGHOF committee chairperson, in announcing the 2022 class. “Mark your calendars now to come help us celebrate on October 29 at the Hall of Fame.”

  Faubel, who passed away at home in Arcadia in December of 2022 at the age of 81, was a native of Iowa who came to Michigan for the superintendent’s job at Saginaw Country Club in 1969. He was the first president of the Mid-Michigan Turf Association and served as president for two years and as a board member for seven years with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Faubel also promoted turfgrass studies and research internationally, served with United States Golf Association (USGA) committees and started Executive Golf Search Inc. and with golf course architect Robert Trent Jones created a scholarship endowment fund.

  LaBelle, 48 and a real-estate broker in Mount Pleasant, played on the PGA Tour for two segments of his career (2007-2008 and 2013-2014) combining for 96 PGA Tour starts. He won over $2.4 million on the PGA Tour and in 150 Korn Ferry tournaments that included two wins. He also won multiple mini-tour events as a professional, was a two-time All-America selection playing collegiately at the University of New Mexico and was a 1998 Palmer Cup selection for Team USA at Saint Andrews in Scotland. He won multiple junior golf titles, was an all-state selection in high school and in the 1996 Michigan Amateur Championship he was runner-up to MGHOF member Pete Green.

  Murray, 85 a former GAM Governor and now Honorary Governor who continues to volunteer, won the inaugural GAM Senior Women’s Championship in 1997 and was the Michigan Senior Player of the Year in 2003. She has won multiple Michigan Women’s Golf Association titles and the Mount Pleasant Country Club championship 22 times. In 2009 at age 71 after two hip replacements, she won the prestigious Spring Lake Invitational. She also coached the girls’ team at Mount Pleasant High for 10 years, winning a state title in 1978 and leading four state runner-up teams, and has also served the Mid-Michigan District Women’s Golf Association and the Saginaw Valley Women’s Golf Association.

  The Michigan Section PGA receiving the Special Award honors its history and the work of over 800 members beyond its competitive tournament structure. PGA Professionals teach the game, direct golf facilities and are involved in various philanthropic efforts like Project Hope and Folds of Honor supporting military veterans, the Midnight Golf Program in Detroit and grow-the-game junior golf initiatives like PGA Junior League and Drive, Chip & Putt.

  The MGHOF is a heralded collection of portraits, plaques and memorabilia that currently commemorates 134 members, including Walter Hagen and Chuck Kocsis and Al Watrous, and more current notables Dan Pohl, Meg Mallon and Kelly Robbins. The collection is housed and displayed in the Ken Janke Sr. Golf Learning Center at Ferris State University’s Katke facility. The late Ken Janke Sr. is co-founder and a member of the MGHOF.

  The MGHOF is administered by the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Committee, which is funded through the non-profit Michigan Golf Foundation (501(c) (3) since 1996) and includes 17 people representing a cross-section of the state’s golf associations as well as golf media. The MGHOF committee conducts an annual election to recognize the achievements of competitive Michigan golfers, but also accomplishments of individuals who have contributed to the growth of the game. For more information and to learn about the current members of the Hall of Fame, visit mghof.org.INFORMATION CONTACTS: Loretta Larkin, MGHOF administrator, llarkin@michigan-golf-foundation.com, 248-719-0650. Media contact: Greg Johnson, gregeeee24@gmail.com, 616-560-8995

Posted on

MGHOF MOURNS STAN ALDRIDGE

  Stan Aldridge was a staunch financial supporter in the establishment of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 1981, and founder Ken Janke Sr. considered him the co-founder.

  The co-founder passed away over the weekend surrounded by family and friends. He was 84.

  Stan is remembered in the golf community for rescuing Indianwood Golf & Country Club and turning it into one of the jewels of the sport in Michigan.

Indianwood under his direction was the first home of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, and Aldridge shared the historic golf site with the world in hosting major championships as well as multiple Michigan Section PGA and Golf Association of Michigan tournaments and events and major charitable fundraisers. His family also established themselves in Michigan golf as well. His son Kevin became an award-winning golf course designer and the family owns Lakewood Shores Resort in Oscoda.

Stan was inducted into the Hall in 2005.

Aldridge passed away in May, 2023 at the age of 84.

His published obituary follows: 

Boyd Aldridge Obituary (1938 – 2023) – Legacy Remembers

Mr. Aldridge was well known throughout the community as the owner of Indianwood Golf & Country Club and Lakewood Shores Resort (Oscoda, MI). He was also the founder and creator of Canterbury Village.

Mr. Aldridge was inducted into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 2005 for his support and involvement in the Michigan Section of the PGA. He was well known for his participation in many civic and charitable organizations.


Mr. Adridge, of Bloomfield Hills, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 21, 1938 in Detroit.


In 1963, he married his wife Sue and would have celebrated 60 years of marriage in just a few weeks. In addition to Sue, he is survived by his children, Kirk Aldridge (Janet), Kevin Aldridge (Shannon), Kelley Osgood, Kimberly Aldridge, Keith Aldridge (Angie) and Katie Palinski (Michael). He also leaves a legacy in his adored grandchildren, Keaton, Alexandra, Rachelle, Danielle, Gabrielle, Kevin, Isabel, Hunter, Cooper, Analise, Laker, Gunner, Walker, Mackenzie, Mack, Megan and his great grandchildren, Lyla, Payton and Landon.


The family will receive friends at Indianwood Golf & Country Club, Lake Orion. Details to be announced on the Indianwood website, iwgcc.com
In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Posted on

Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Raffle

Congratulations to the winners!

John Finch – Ticket #523 Foursome at Belvedere GC

Kevin Adams – Ticket #543 Foursome at Eagle Crest GC

Matthew Kenny – Ticket #7 Foursome at Great Oaks CC

Mark Ayers – Ticket #347 Foursome at Gull Lake CC

Dennis Hansinger – Ticket #507 Foursome at Indian River GC

James Fuller – Ticket #498 Foursome at Interlochen GC

Kevin Cleary – Ticket #411 Foursome at CC of Jackson

Jeffrey Gates – Ticket #283 Foursome at Kalamazoo CC

Claud Johnston – Ticket #237 Foursome at Kaufman GC

Lisa Kupelian – Ticket #75 Foursome at Knollwood CC

Jim VanBoven – Ticket #447 Foursome at Lakes of the North GC

James Denison – Ticket #374 Foursome at CC of Lansing

Dan Kunert – Ticket #242 Foursome at LochenHeathGC

Janina Jacobs – Ticket #122 Foursome at Midland CC

Michael Zuchowski – Ticket #445 Foursome at Muskegon CC

Gina Cheung – Ticket #300 Foursome at R&S Sharf at Oakland University

Marcus Jacobs – Ticket #130 Foursome at Saginaw CC

Matthew Magnotte – Ticket #504 Foursome at Spring Lake CC

Nancy Adair – Ticket #179 Foursome at Warwick Hills G & CC

Donna Tepper – Ticket #157 Foursome at Washtenaw GC

 

If you have any questions, contact Loretta Larkin at llarkin@michigan-golf-foundation.com

Thank you to everyone that purchased tickets for your support of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame.