Janet Beardsley - Miami Valley Golf

Janet Beardsley, Dayton Golf Icon

Born in Dayton August 12, 1918, Janet Shock and her brother Don had a distinct advantage.They grew up around the golf business.Her father was the manager at Community Golf Course.Moraine Country Club professional, Alex Campbell, taught Janet to play.Mr. Kettering gave Mr. Campbell permission to use the property adjacent to what is now Kettering Memorial Hospita lto give lessons.Obviously, Miss Shock was one of his better pupils.

In 1933, business teacher, Dick Sommers, asked Janet to join the first golf team at KetteringFairmontHigh School.She played all four years.During the summer vacations, Janet’s brother, Don, had the opportunity to compete in junior tournaments while she dominated the Dayton City Amateur Championship and the Dayton District Golf Championship, winning the former from 1935 to 1937 and again in 1953 and 1954, and the latter from 1935 through 1939 when the tournament was discontinued.

After high school, Janet Shock headed off to college.At Denison University, she was asked to play on the men’s golf team.Her female physical education teacher was against her participation.However, the president of the university said that if she could qualify for the team, she could play.She qualified, was accepted by her male counterparts, and promptly dropped the physical education class.Her first year on the team, Denison captured the 1938 Ohio Conference Championship.She was inducted into Denison’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1980

During her junior year at Denison, Janet met Charles “Chuck” Beardsley.He was a basketball star and president of the junior class at Denison and is also a member of its Hall of Fame.Janet remembers him as a “big man on campus.”They were married in 1943 while he was in the service, stationed in Missouri.Chuck also enjoyed golf and played to a 10 handicap.Sadly Chuck passed away in 1992 at age 75.Son Craig, a corporate pilot, still lives in Dayton and enjoys playing with his buddies.Daughter, Phyllis Kwedar, now lives in Texas but played competitive golf in the Daytonarea for many years.Her three children are athletes as well.Janet’s granddaughter Lauren recently completed her collegiate golf career at Rhodes College.

Favorite golf memories for Janet include exhibition matches with Patty Berg and just having the opportunity to play “without making waves.”She was on hand to see Annika Sorenstam play at Colonial.Says Janet of Annika’s effort, “I think she’s smart.She proved her point and now she’s moving on.”

Mrs. Beardsley’s brother, Don Shock, who passed away in April of 2011 was the long time golf professional and is the emeritus professional in perpetuity at Columbus Country Club, was a large influence on her game. Janet, Craig, Phyllis, Lauren and Greg have all spent many happy hours on the CCC driving range under Don’s tutelage, laughing, learning, and enjoying each other’s company.

Janet Beardsley’s advice to the young players is advice that she has followed during her golf career.“Don’t try things that you are not capable of doing.Play the golf course, not the other person.”

Janet Beardsley passed away in September of 2007. She leaves a legacy to female golfers everywhere as a gentle soul and tenacious competitor. She will always be the First Lady of Dayton golf. It is fitting that the DDWGA Celebrate her life and contributions.