Most of these guys couldn’t have afforded college without the scholarships, and their goal was to show their appreciation. They raised $350.
The 2013 Caddy Classic was held July 26 at Moraine Country Club, and it netted approximately $170,000, bringing the 26-year total to $1.9 million.
“It took us 20 years to get the first million,” Desch said. “In the last seven years we’ve gotten almost $900,000 more. That’s not bad for a bunch of caddies.”
I was on vacation Monday and unable to be present at Moraine, but they had 260 players — 200 of whom walked the course with honor caddies from Dayton and Cincinnati alongside. Desch called it “a celebration of caddies.”
What an unusual sight that must have been at a time when golf carts have replaced caddies at most courses.
Moraine was a fitting host for the event because it has one of the finest caddy programs in the country. Ninety percent of its members participate with regular contributions to the WGA’s Par Club. Some make additional contributions.
Moraine has as a separate scholarship fund for caddies ineligible for an Evans scholarship because their parents make too much money or their high school grades might not merit selection. This fall Moraine will have 13 caddies on full Evans scholarships and 24 others attending college with assistance from Moraine’s separate fund.
You might be surprised to read that 25 percent of all caddies in Ohio are girls. That’s what Desch told me.
I had the pleasure of meeting 93-year-old former school teacher Murl Huffman the other day. He was Moraine’s caddy master for many years, beginning in 1948, and he recalled how Moraine president S.C. “Chick” Allyn aligned the club with the WGA back then. He said Allyn, whose decisions were always final, merely sent a message to members informing them that a contribution would be on their regular bill.
Moraine has a similar “convenience billing” of Par Club dues today, but it’s not mandatory.
Unfortunately, Moraine is the only remaining Dayton club with a large caddy program connected to the WGA. Dayton Country Club still offers caddies but not on the scale it did 10 years ago, and Miami Valley Golf Club no longer has strong ties to the WGA. Nine clubs in Cincinnati have Evans programs.
One of the highlights of Monday’s Caddy Classic dinner was the recognition of the late Phil Hughes, who was Dayton Country Club’s WGA director for many years, and Moraine head golf professional Brent Sipe, whose dedication to the caddy program for the last 15 years has contributed to a steady stream of Evans scholars from Dayton.
Walnut Grove hosts Corbin memorial event: Walnut Grove Country Club will hold a Bob Corbin Memorial Tournament Aug. 26 to honor of the longtime WG member who died on February 22.
The format is two net best balls of four, and the competition is open to everyone. Cost is $125 per player or $500 per foursome. It will have a 1 p.m. shotgun start following lunch at 11:30 a.m.
Opportunities for hole sponsors or title sponsor are available. For more information, call the Walnut Grove pro shop at (937) 253-6451.
Dayton Country Club retains old routing: When the Women's Western Golf Association conducted its championship at Dayton Country Club in June, the WWGA changed the routing of the course to facilitate a smooth traffic flow. Holes 1 and 2 were the same, but they were followed by holes 12-18. Holes 10 and 11 were followed by holes 3-9.
Some members thought the club should make the change permanent, but there were just as many who objected, according to head professional Keith Fisher. Consequently, DCC stayed with the regular routing.
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