Weekly Editorial
October 16, 2006

Small School, Big Golf Tradition!

We are proud of our golf team’s recent accomplishments by winning both the District and Regional Championships and placing fourth out of sixteen teams at the State Championship in Grand Rapids this past weekend. Teddy Griffin placed sixth in the State for the individual competition. Way to go Rams!

Our current team’s achievements remind us of the great history and legacy of our community’s golfing tradition.

School districts can be evaluated and characterized by the success of their graduates. Locally and across the nation, HSPS graduates are well represented in a variety of career fields including the arts, communications, business, manufacturing, natural resources, and health and human services. The golf profession is one specialized industry that a number of graduates have achieved impressive success. Some of our alumni in the golf profession include the following:

Ted Bodzik (1969) Harbor Point Course Greens Superintendent

Steve White (1977) Golf Course Owner/Developer

Ed Kelbel (1977) Head Golf Professional, The Emerald & Recently assigned to oversee the University of Colorado Golf Program

Bob Wilson (1977) Asst. Golf Professional, Birchwood Farms Country Club

Chris Mathews (1979) Golf Professional, Naples Florida

Brian Sanderson (1979) Head Golf Professional, Petoskey Bay View Country Club

Terry Ernst (1979) Head Golf Professional, Verona Hills Golf Club

Rick Bayliss (1980) General Manager of Oakland Hills Country Club – Chief Operating Officer

Mark Kelbel (1980) Head Golf Professional, The Broadmoor

Alan Spencley (1981) Golf Professional

John Wilson (1982) Head Professional, Wequetonsing Golf Club

Pete Kelbel (1982) Head Golf Professional, Walloon Lake Country Club

Rob Fuhrman (1982) Head Golf Professional Bay Harbor Golf Club

Tom Bayliss (1987) Birchwood Farms Golf Course

Brian O’Neill (1987) Head Teaching Professional, Boyne USA Resort

Steve Holiday (1989) Golf Course Superintendent

Clayton Novak (1991) Superintendent, Harbor Point Golf Course

Mark Novak (1993) Asst. Golf Professional, Boyne USA Resorts

*Twelve of the above individuals have achieved the prestigious PGA Professional Certification, Two are members of the National Golf Course Superintendent’s Organization and one is a member of the National Club Manager’s Association.

To have this many professionals in the golf industry from a small school district is impressive! In addition to a specialized and refined athletic talent, the golf professional generally requires a wide variety of skills. A background and understanding in financial management, human relations, customer service and horticulture are essential to success in the golf industry. These foundational skills are essential as the typical daily tasks include tournament operations, providing lessons, overseeing merchandising and turf management. We also know that a caring and nurturing community, an excellent school system and the support from area golf clubs each played an important role in preparing these individuals for this special career. We are very proud of the success these graduates! We would like to especially thank Brian O’Neill and Brian Sanderson for volunteering many hours in assisting in the coaching of this year’s players.