Making the Turn

Horseshoe Bay To Host Cherryland

For the first time in the 53 years of this historic Door County tournament, the Cherryland Open will be held at Horseshoe Bay Golf Club on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13. This tournament takes place right in our back yard and continues to draw some of the state’s best golf professionals, as well as a competitive opportunity for amateurs.

The first Cherryland Open was held on September 6 & 7, 1956, at the Alpine Resort Golf Course in Egg Harbor. The 15 professionals and 79 amateurs played a 36-hole medal match for $1,000 in prizes. The entry fee back then was $7.50.

Gordon Watson, President of the Wisconsin PGA, working with George Resch and Associates, pointed out that after Labor Day, the tourist industry in Door County experienced a drastic drop. Additionally, the busiest part of the golf season ended for most Wisconsin professionals. Pushing to extend the tourist season, Resch encouraged hotels that usually closed after Labor Day weekend to remain open until after the tournament. The Peninsula Players scheduled a repeat performance of No Time for Sergeants during the tournament week. The Rock, currently Alexander’s Restaurant in Fish Creek, kept “The Dixieland Jazz Orchestra” to perform for another week. Another featured draw included Karen Goodman, the 1956 Cherry Blossom Queen, and her Court.

Many players competed in the inaugural Cherryland Open at Alpine. The professional winner was Tommy Veech from Milwaukee who fired a 71 and a 68 for a total score of 139. First prize was an impressive $250. Another top finisher among the professionals was Manuel De LaTorre from Milwaukee (140), who has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as one the top teaching professionals in the country.

Bill Mieler, past and current resident of Sturgeon Bay, shot a 146, playing one of the tournament days with Bobby Brue, a past PGA tour player and current Senior PGA tour competitor.

As their one major event of the year, the Door County Golf Association currently runs the tournament, today offering a $5,000 purse. The DCGA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote junior golf and the overall growth of golf in Door County. In addition to the professional division, there are also two amateur divisions (one by handicap), a senior division, and two flights of ladies divisions.

Currently, the DCGA rotates the site of the Cherryland, giving each Door County golf course an opportunity to host, this year falling on Horseshoe Bay Golf Club. There is still time to sign up for the Cherryland. For more information and registration information, visit http://www.cherrylandopen.com.

Keller and Marshall Named PGA Club Champs

Ed Keller shot an impressive 75 on Wednesday, August 19 to earn the Men’s Club Championship honors at Peninsula State Golf Course, while Lainie Marshall shot a solid 79 to win the women’s division.

PGA Club Championship Results:

Men’s Low Gross:  1st:  Ed Keller (75), 2nd:  Stu Chomeau (78), 3rd:  Dan Anderson (79)

Women’s Low Gross:  1st:  Lainie Marshall (79), Card playoff winner 2nd:  Mary Ann McKoane (84), 3rd:  Betty Chomeau (84)

Men’s Low Net:  1st:  Adam Shahbazi (65), 2nd:  Bill Hartman (67), 3rd:  Burt Johnson

Women’s Low Net:  1st:  Susie Samson (68), 2nd: Barb Keller (69), 3rd:  Sandi Cashmore (69)