Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2017 - 4

INSIDE
THE MG A
Winning Moments
* BY TOM RYAN *
Memories, emotions, inspiration-golf hands out many
gifts beyond titles and trophies.
M
ike Davis, Executive Director
of the USGA, always
talks about the inspirational
aspect of USGA championships; that
watching these events inspire golfers of
all ages and abilities to get out and play,
to get better at the game, and to exhibit
good sportsmanship.
Earlier this summer, I attended the
U.S. Senior Amateur media day event
at The Minikahda Club. The event featured
a panel discussion including John
Harris, Tim Herron and Alissa (Herron)
Super -all of whom are in the Minnesota
Golf Hall of Fame and are among the
best players our state has ever produced.
They were originally there to talk
about their USGA championship experiences,
but the discussion soon pivoted
to basically three golfers talking about
what they love about the game and what
the game means to them. While they
have played (and won) at a level that is
far beyond what most of us will experience,
the obvious joy and laughter they
exuded was infectious-whether they
were talking about shots they made (or
didn't make), down the stretch of an
event, the team comradery they experienced
playing for country in the Walker
Cup, or even Tim and Alissa's memories
of Tim caddying for her as she won the
U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur.
This collective, emotional experience
is one of the very neat aspects of the
game. Golf can be very inspirational,
both inside and outside of the ropes, and
there were many examples of that over
the last year.
The Ryder Cup last fall at Hazeltine
certainly had its share of moments,
4
MINNESOTAGOLFER Fall 2017
Scott Lipsky, USGA, Tim Herron, Alissa (Herron) Super, and John Harris during the U.S. Senior Amateur
media event June 27 at The Minikahda Club in Minneapolis, Minn.
especially during the singles matches
on Sunday. Who will ever forget the
excitement and electricity of the fi rst
tee, or the Reed vs. McIlroy and Garcia
vs. Mickelson matches -or of Ryan
Moore, the last man picked for the team,
clinching the Cup for the United States?
The Solheim Cup in Des Moines this
summer produced some of the best golf
of the year, and I'm certain inspired
thousands of young girls who either
watched it on TV or in person.
Closer to home, Dave Carothers
won the MGA Amateur Championship
at Interlachen Country Club with a
fi nal round 66, some 30 years after
fi rst competing in the Amateur. As he
accepted the trophy, he struggled with
the emotion of the moment in thanking
his family and friends. I will never forget
that moment.
At the MGA Women's Four-Ball in
Owatonna, several sister and motherdaughter
teams competed,
including
Nicki Reuterfeldt and Krista Larsen, who
have played nearly 30 Four-Ball Tournaments
together and had an absolute ball
doing so. These memories are ones they
will have forever.
Alissa (Herron) Super said in her closing
remarks at Minikahda: " Winning
the U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur was the
greatest day of my golf life. "
Whether it's winning a national championship
(as Alissa did), winning your
club championship or weekly club event,
or simply playing family golf every Sunday,
golf gives us all opportunities and
memories. Cherish them.
As we close the 2017 season, I also want
to thank all of you, the members of the
MGA, for your support of your course,
your club, and the Minnesota Golf Association.
It is only through your broad
support that we're able to offer the programs
and services we do-not only for
you, but also for your favorite golf course.
See you on the course.
www.mngolf.org
PHOTO BY W.P. RYAN

http://www.mngolf.org

Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2017

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