PRESENTED BY Induction Ceremony & Dinner Monday, September 12, 2011 Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort
W elcome to the 2011 Rockford Area Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The Rockford Area Golf Hall of Fame is organized as a means of recognizing, preserving, and promoting the heritage of golf in the Rockford area. Many individuals have made extraordinary contributions and have had incredible accomplishments in the lifetime sport of golf. The Hall of Fame honors contributions and accomplishments of these individuals and organizations that are worthy of recognition as examples for others to emulate. We are honored that you are here with us today to help recognize those selected who have exemplified excellence in the sport of golf in our community.
2011 Sponsors PRESENTING SPONSOR CO-SPONSORS MEDIA SPONSORS
Induction Ceremony Welcome MIKE ROBINSON, Master of Ceremonies 2011 Rockford Area Golf Hall of Fame Overview Dinner Served Keynote Speaker DAN JANSEN Olympic Speed Skating Gold Medalist, eight-time World Record holder, and current Celebrity Golf Tour Contestant Induction of 2011 Golf Hall of Fame Award Recipients Closing Remarks and Photos of Class of 2011 and Alumni
2011 Inductees JAMIE HOGAN Jamie has received notoriety since he has been an adult, but his golfing prowess started at a very young age. While living in Iowa, he had already placed second in the Iowa s State tournament Junior at the age of 12, and captured the freshman medal for Oskaloosa High School at the Ottumwa Invitational. His golfing career continued to elevate when he moved to Rockford and joined the Guilford golf team. He played varsity all four years (freshman year at Oskloosa and sophomore senior years at Guilford) and was captain during his senior year. Jamie set the low scoring average as a junior and senior, won regionals, sectionals, multiple conference tournaments and dual meets. He was inducted into the Guilford Hall of Fame in 2011. While playing for the Iowa State Cyclones as captain, he led the team to their first regional and national berth during his senior year. Jamie set the all time maximum number of birdies recorded in the conference tournament during his freshman year. He also posted the low scoring average and was voted player of the year. After his freshman year at Iowa State, Jamie returned to Rockford to compete in the Men s Golf Classic, finishing second to Lloyd McWilliams. Jamie took a break from golf from 1992 to 1999, but returned with a win in the 1999 Greater Rockford Men s Golf Classic. Since that time, he has garnered over 24 local championships, including the Men s Classic (8), Aldeen Cup (4), County Amateur (1) and the Gold Medal (4), to name just a few. Golfing highlights also include shooting a 64 at Rockford Country Club in the U.S. open sectional qualifier, and setting the course record of 63 during the Ledges golf tournament. A devoted family man, Jamie also shares his love of the game with his family, especially his youngest son Braden, who won his age division 5- to 7-year-olds in the 2011 Boys Golf Classic. Jamie also volunteers hundreds of hours for the Park District s PGA Medalist program and LPGA- USGA Girls Golf program, which reach over 150 youth each year. GUNNAR NELSON Gunnar Nelson began his golfing career at the age of eight as a caddy at Jackson Park Golf Course in Chicago. He and his young friends would often sleep on park benches in order to get a tee time in the morning. In 1915, at age 16 he was runner-up to a much older competitor in a hard fought battle for the Chicago City Championship. After working as a professional at several Chicago courses and often playing in professional events, he moved to Olympia Fields Country Club in Chicago where he worked until accepting positions at Rockford Country Club in 1929. During his time at Olympia Fields Country Club, he often spent winters at courses near Biloxi, Mississippi. During that time, he won the Indiana State Open and participated in many other events. In later years, he served as president of the Illinois Senior PGA. His contributions to Rockford golf are numerous, as were his friends and golfing acquaintances. During one of the Western Men s Amateur events at Rockford Country Club, he introduced his daughter Joan to someone he said would be really really good. That golfer was Tom Watson. Joan s other memories include dining with Ben Hogan at their house, visiting with Patty Berg, and being introduced to Joe Louis, with whom Gunnar played golf during a Pro Am in Tucson. But Joan s most unforgettable memory was during the Pro Am in Tucson when George Zaharias shouted in obvious
pleasure GUNNAR!! and then introduced them to his extraordinary wife, Babe. Gunnar retired from his position as Director of Golf at Rockford Country Club in 1967 after 38 years of service. He loved to compete, but most of all, he was a patient, enthusiastic teacher of golf. Gunnar is best known for encouraging and instructing generations of young golfers on Saturday mornings, his wit and kindness to everyone, and his outstanding dedication to the game. ROCKFORD SPORTSMEN S GOLF ASSOCIATION Founded in 1948, the R.S.G.A. is a non-profit organization which promotes and directs the affairs of athletic, social, charitable, and educational nature among its members. The youth component of the R.S.G.A. began in 1968 and incorporates the Big Brother concept relating to golf. Members adopt a youngster and teach them the game of golf. Along with golf, the youth are taught good sportsmanship, the importance of rules, how to respect the rights and property of others, all while providing an opportunity to learn about themselves and their capabilities. Through the years, the R.S.G.A. has provided instruction, equipment, and accessibility for hundreds of youth as they learn the game, and most importantly, the values inherent in the game of golf. The R.S.G.A. was instrumental in the organization of the 2001 and 2004 Tiger Woods Foundation events held at Ingersoll Golf Course. J.D. Anthony and Willie Bell, members of the R.S.G.A., served on the steering committee for both events, and members of the R.S.G.A. donated hundreds of volunteer hours in the preparation and execution of these community-wide events. The R.S.G.A. hosts the Annual Melvin Ballard Memorial Golf Tournament, provides scholarships for youth to achieve their goals through higher education, and donates annually to the Sickle Cell Foundation. CONNY SJOSTROM SR. AND IRENE SJOSTROM YOUTH GOLF FOUNDATION The Conny Sjostrom, Sr. Youth Golf Foundation was established in 1997 to celebrate the late Conny Sjostrom, Sr. and the game he loved. The mission of the Foundation is to assist Rockford area youth with participation in the game and provide financial assistance to support the Boys Golf Classic and Girls Golf Classic. The Sjostrom Foundation provided scholarships for youth to participate in the Traditions golf tournament held at Aldeen and Elliot (1997-99). The Foundation also supports field trips to area professional golf events (2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2011) so youth can see the best golfers in the world compete. In addition, the Conny Sjostrom, Sr. Youth Golf Foundation provided funding from 1991 to 1998 for three youth to receive a golf permit, and provided funds for youth to participate in youth group golf lessons in 1997 and 1998. The true passion of the Foundation lies in purchasing trophies for the Boys and Girls Golf Classic. Beginning in 1997, the participants in both tournaments receive the same type of trophy due to additional funds provided by the Foundation. The best part of the awards ceremony was when the Sjostrom daughters would bring Mrs. Irene Sjostrom to the tournament to present the awards. When each recipient received their age group trophy, Mrs. Sjostrom provided a big hug and wonderful words of encouragement. As current Bradley University golf team member Erin Gorman states in her support letter, Every day I am reminded of this wonderful family by looking at the collection of trophies my family has won. This would not have been possible without the funding from the foundation. In 2005, Irene Sjostrom passed away, and the name of the foundation was changed to the Conny Sjostrom, Sr. and Irene Sjostrom Youth Golf Foundation.
Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Carl Dargene Webbs Norman Mary Holton Reid Mark Taylor Class of 2009 Christian Beto Ken Kellaney Scott W. Nicholas Lois Jean Dahlquist Woodworth Class of 2008 Shirley M. Dommers Robert Butch Pegoraro Robert A. Bob Reitsch Rockford Pro/Am Class of 2007 David J. Claeyssens Brad Fowler Mike Johnson Junior Golf Association of Greater Rockford James W. Keeling Class of 2006 Steven Hare The Hogan Family Dean Lind Rockford Women s Golf Association Mary Wilder Welsh Salley Wessels Class of 2005 Margaret and Norris Aldeen Georgalee George John Holmstrom Jr. Nancy Joan Kauzlarich Roger Lindeman Lloyd McWilliams Kay Rossmiller Ken Scott Mary Lib Skerkoske Don Terasaki Tom Warren Alex Welsh
2011 Selection Committee CHRISTIAN BETO CARL DARGENE HUI CHONG DOFFLEMYER SHIRLEY DOMMERS BRAD FOWLER GEORGALEE GEORGE PAT GOSTELE STEVE HARE STEVE HOGAN MIKE F. JOHNSON JIM KEELING KEN KELLANEY JACK KIECKHEFER DON KOHLBACHER SCOTT LEBER ROGER LINDEMAN LLOYD MCWILLIAMS MIKE MORIG SCOTT W. NICHOLAS WEBBS NORMAN BUTCH PEGORARO ROBERT A. REITSCH MIKE ROBINSON KAY ROSSMILLER KEN SCOTT MARY LIB SKERKOSKE MARK TAYLOR DON TERASAKI GARY TIFFANY MATT TROWBRIDGE MIKE TULLEY TOM WARREN SALLEY WESSELS LOIS JEAN WOODWORTH Save the Date 2012 Rockford Area Golf Hall of Fame September 24, 2012
Silent Auction Donors ALDEEN GOLF CLUB CHRIS BARTLETT CHICAGO BEARS DAVID J. CLAEYSSENS CLEVELAND GOLF CLIFFBREAKERS RIVERSIDE RESORT FRANCHESCO S GQ SPORTS THE GOLF SHACK HARRIS GOLF CARS LAMONT JONES NANCY JOAN KAUZLARICH MAGIC WATERS WATERPARK MARIA S RESTAURANT GARY MAZORATI RUTH MILLER STEVE MOORE LLOYD McWILLIAMS RICK RHODEN ROCKFORD ICEHOGS ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT ROCKFORD PRO/AM MARK RYPIEN WILSON GOLF WINNEBAGO COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT WNTA LOIS JEAN WOODWORTH YMCA OF ROCK RIVER VALLEY (as of 9/7/11) Hole Sponsors 13WREX CLEVELAND GOLF CLIFFBREAKERS RIVERSIDE RESORT EDWARD JONES ENTRÉ COMPUTER SOLUTIONS FRANCHESCO S THE GOLF SHACK HARRIS GOLF CARS MAGIC WATERS WATERPARK MARIA S RESTAURANT OSF SAINT ANTHONY MEDICAL CENTER PG ARCHITECTURE DESIGN - BUILD RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY BANK ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT ROCKFORD PRO/AM ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR WILSON GOLF WINNEBAGO COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT WNTA YMCA OF ROCK RIVER VALLEY (as of 9/7/11)