.thumb.100.png) | April Volunteer SpotlightA Lifelong Commitment to Service, Golf and Community - Al Schoolcraft, a dedicated volunteer and community leader,has made valuable contributions to Miami Valley Golf over the past 11 years. Asthe Men's Course Rating Chair and a member of the Executive Committee, Al ’ s leadership and passionfor the game have been instrumental in shaping the organization. He plays mostof his golf at Beavercreek Golf Club and was inspired to take up the game byhis father-in-law. Al ’ sprofessional career spans 27 years of distinguished service in the UnitedStates Air Force, where he... |
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.thumb.100.png) | March Volunteer SpotlightBetse O'Keefe -Betse O'Keefe has been a dedicated volunteer with Miami Valley Golf for five years, bringing her passion for the game and love of community to the organization. A member of Sycamore Creek Country Club, her journey into golf began as a friendly push from her friends, who encouraged her to join the league. What started as a reluctant step quickly turned into a passion, and now she plays regularly—much to the delight of her husband, Doug, an accomplished golfer himself. Her dedication to the game was rewarded in 2024 when she made a hole-in-one on Hole 11 at Sycamo... |
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 | February Volunteer SpotlightRon Flohre - Ron has been a dedicated member of the Miami Valley Golf community for the past 10 years, resides in Beavercreek, Ohio and has volunteered as a forecaddie, scorer, and registration assistant. His commitment to the game stems from a lifelong passion ignited by rounds of golf with his older brothers. Now a member of Yankee Trace Golf Club, Ron finds joy in sharing his enthusiasm for the sport with others in his local community. Before retiring, Ron had an impactful career as a high school principal at Stebbins High School, where he inspired countless students. His own athl... |
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 | January Volunteer SpotlightJim Snyder - Jim Snyder, a dedicated golf enthusiast and Miami Valley Golf volunteer, lives in New Carlisle and has been a volunteer for five years. Jim has contributed as a walking scorer, including events such as the US Open Final. A member of Springfield Country Club, he first found his love for golf through the encouragement of his father-in-law. Over the years, Jim’s passion has translated into numerous tournament victories, including the Mercedes Championship at Yankee Trace in 2005, and a series of accolades at Greene Country Club, Springfield Country Club, and throu... |
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 | December Volunteer SpotlightTracy Murray -Tracy Murray is a dedicated and passionate advocate for golfand community service, bringing her love for the sport and her commitment toeducation and volunteerism to every role she undertakes. A resident of Tipp City, Ohio, Tracy has been a Miami ValleyGolf volunteer for six years, serving as a scorer at various events. Herinterest in golf was inspired by her husband, who coached high school girls’golf in Tipp City for 15 years. Tracy herself plays frequently and has enjoyeda successful journey in golf, placing sixth in a national event with the LPGAAmateurs in Pa... |
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 | Volunteer in the SpotlightLeigh Baumgardner - Leigh has been a Miami Valley Golf volunteer for four years. She is an active golfer, frequently playing at Dayton Country Club (DCC), where she has earned titles such as being on the DCC Team Player Net Championship Team, Mr. and Mrs. Club Champion 2023, and Member-Member Champion 2024. Leigh has also won Club Championions at Sugar Valley, Miami Valley, and Golden Horseshoe in Williamsburg, Virginia, and has participated in Tri-City competitions as well as a former All-American College golfer. Professionally, Leigh has worked as a Realtor with Irongate sinc... |
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.thumb.100.png) | October Volunteer SpotlightSara Sorey - Sara Sorey is a familiar face in the Miami Valley Golf community, where she has spent the past five years volunteering as a scorer. She also finds immense joy playing golf regularly at Sycamore Creek Country Club, a course that has become a backdrop for many of her personal victories. Among her accolades are the Senior Championship in 2022, the Memorial Tournament titles in 2019, 2022, and 2024, the LGA Club Championship Low Net wins in 2017 and 2022, and her leadership in the LGA League in both 2018 and 2020. Recently, Sara’s dedication to the... |
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.thumb.100.png) | September Volunteer SpotlightMike Walpole - Mike Walpole is a dedicatedgolf enthusiast and a resident of Kettering, Ohio. With a deep-rooted passionfor the game, Mike has been an active volunteer with Miami Valley Golf for thepast decade, contributing his time as a scorer and assisting in various supportroles. His love for golf was sparked by his father and has been a significantpart of his life since high school. Mike's golfing prowess iswell-documented, with notable achievements including winning the 2009 GreeneCountry Club Senior Club Champion and the 2023 Miami County Super Duper SeniorChampion, where he po... |
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 | August Volunteer SpotlightPeggy Grunkemeyer - Peggy Grunkemeyer has dedicated herself to a life rich in family, business, and community service. For the past five years, she has been a valuable volunteer with Miami Valley Golf, serving as a scorer and information volunteer. Her enthusiasm for the sport extends beyond volunteering; she is an avid golfer, regularly playing at Walnut Grove Country Club and Cypress Lake Country Club. Peggy's love for golf began when her son started playing in high school and college, sparking a lifelong interest. This passion has allowed her to combine her enjoyment of the sport... |
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 | July Volunteer SpotlightMeggan Weaver -Meggan Weaver, a devotedresident of Sidney, Ohio, has built a life rich in community service, family,and a love for golf. She lives with her husband, Jim Weaver, who introduced herto the game that has become a central part of their lives together. Meggan's journey into the worldof golf began while she was dating Jim. Her father suggested she take up thegame to develop a shared interest with Jim, and this advice proved to betransformative. In the summer of 1998, Meggan joined her first golf league,marking the start of her long-standing passion for the sport. She is no... |
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.thumb.100.png) | June Volunteer SpotlightJeff Ahrns - Jeff Ahrns lives in Minster and has been a dedicated volunteer for Miami Valley Golf for the past 6 years, where he contributes as a scorer. He is an avid golfer who enjoys playing regularly at Arrowhead Golf Course in Minster. Jeff's passion for golf began at a young age; he started playing at seven years old while caddying for his dad. A memorable moment in his golfing journey was when his grandfather gifted golf clubs to all his grandchildren during Christmas in the sixth grade. His grandfather would pick them up and take them to the course three mornings a week ove... |
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 | May Volunteer Spotlight Steve Hannaford - Steve Hannaford lives a life intertwined with the rhythm of golf, family, and service. He found his first love for the game alongside his father and brother at The Kitty, where his journey in golf began. In the swinging 60s, Steve and his family embarked on a new chapter as they joined Greene Country Club. Under the watchful eye of Head Pro Chuck Licher, Steve's passion for golf flourished. Chuck became more than a mentor, teaching Steve the technicalities of the game but also the virtues of sportsmanship and respect. Chuck's tournaments became a classroom... |
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 | April Volunteer SpotlightJeff Graham - For the past five years, Jeff has dedicated his time and energy to volunteering with Miami Valley Golf as a spotter and scorer. When he's not volunteering, Jeff can often be found golfing on the courses of Beavercreek and Yankee Trace. His love for golf stretches back to his days a t the DP&L club championship, where he and his older brother Scott would battle it out on the challenging 9-hole course. Despite losing to Scott in one of the finals, Jeff cherishes those memories of friendly competition. One of Jeffs first jobs was as a caddy at Walnut Grove where h... |
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 | March Volunteer SpotlightAndrew Boedecker - Andrew Boedecker has been a Miami Valley Golf volunteer for the past 5 years as a course rater. Since the age of five, Andrew's journey with golf began when his father introduced him to the sport. Armed with a collection of clubs, he took to the greens of his hometown in Howards Grove, Wisconsin, where he spent every summer perfecting his swing alongside his neighbor, a seasoned ballhawk. Throughout high school and into college at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Andrew's love for golf only grew. Winning junior tournaments in Wisconsin and captaining his... |
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 | February Volunteer SpotlightJerry Mullen - For the past three years, Jerry has been a volunteer with Miami Valley Golf, as a forecaddie and scorer at various tournaments. He is always early and ready to help anywhere he is ask him too. His passion for the game began at an early age, when his father introduced him to the game at the age of 10. When not volunteering, Jerry plays a lot of golf, over 100 rounds this past season. As the off season sets in, Jerry changes his focus to another sport he enjoys, bowling. When not volunteering, play golf or bowling, the Kanzaki Specialty Paper retiree loves to tr... |
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 | January Volunteer SpotlightTom Walz - Tom has been a dedicated volunteer with Miami Valley Golf for over a decade, serving as a scorer for numerous tournaments and is a plays most of his rounds at WGC Golf Course. His love for the sport was kindled during his childhood, as he watched his parents play nine holes on sunny Sundays. It didn't take long for Tom to fall in love with the game, and he has been swinging clubs ever since. He became a two-time club champion at the DP&L Golf Club. His crowning achievement was setting a course record with a remarkable 8-un der-par 64. Tom retired fr... |
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 | December Volunteer SpotlightDon Vulgamore - Don is a newer Miami Valley Golf Volunteer. He stepped into the role of a Volunteer Support Person and Scorer for several Miami Valley Golf events this year. Don is no stranger to golf; he frequently plays at Heatherwoode Golf Club in Springboro. His fascination with golf began during his childhood, a tradition passed down by his father. Those early rounds with his dad instilled a lifelong passion. Don's love for the sport deepened when he worked at the Ohio University Golf Course during his college years. It was there that golf ceased to be just a pastime and tran... |
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 | November Volunteer Spotlight Tony Auzenne - Tony Auzenne has dedicated his time and expertise to Miami Valley Golf as a Rules Official, Scorer, and Player Assistant for the past five years. He's a familiar face at the Miami Shores golf course in Troy OH., where he is also a member. Tony's love of golf began in 1968 when a baseball coach introduced him to the game. However, it wasn't until he moved to Ohio in 1985 that he started playing regularly. It was here that he honed his skills, becoming a force to be reckoned with on the local golf scene. Over the years, Tony has racked up an impressive list of ac... |
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 | October Volunteer SpotlightScott Roderick -Scott Roderick has been a dedicated volunteer with Miami Valley Golf for five years as a scorer and forecaddie. His journey with golf began at the age of seven, when he inherited his older brother's clubs. He would spend countless hours hitting practice balls around the backyard. One of the defining moments in Scott's golfing journey occurred during his time in the Army. In 2006, during a large golf outing with his unit in sunny Orlando, Florida, he found himself facing a 143-yard par 3 hole. He struck his tee shot and watched as it sailed through the air and l... |
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 | In the SpotlightLarry Litscher - For the past 15 years, Larry has been a dedicated volunteer with Miami Valley Golf, serving as a rules official and referee for numerous golf tournaments. His love for golf extends beyond officiating; he is also a member of NCR Country Club, where he plays golf frequently. Larry's journey into the world of golf began with a heartwarming story from his youth. In his early years, he along with a bunch of Iow a farm boys came together to play golf on a whim, bonding over the sport and creating unforgettable memories. This event sparked an interest in Larry,... |
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 | August Volunteer SpotlightKen Herr - Ken Herr has devoted much of his life to the game of golf. For a decade, he has served as a dedicated volunteer starter and scorer at the Miami Valley Golf Association, bringing joy and professionalism to the golfing community. But his contributions to the sport extend beyond the local level. Over the last two years, Ken has been passionately involved in Golf Next and Madden Next initiatives, where he lends his consulting expertise to facilitate and focus on their development and execution. These initiatives aim to bring fresh perspectives and innovations to the gol... |
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 | July Volunteer SpotlightDaryl Nels - I s a woman with a passion for golf and a heart full of dedication. For close to 30 years, she has been an invaluable volunteer at Miami Valley Golf, leaving her mark on the local golfing community. Daryl's involvement began when she joined the Board of the Dayton District Women's Golf Association (DDWGA) Course Rating Committee. Her meticulous attention to detail and love for the game made her an ideal candidate for this role. In the early 2000s, she extended her commitment and joined the MVGA Foundation Board, where she plays a vital role in promoting and supp... |
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 | June Volunteer SpotlightBill Pohlman - Bill is a man of service and dedication. As a retiree and a seasoned CPA with Pohlman and Talmage CPA’s, he has spent years helping his clients manage their finances. But his passion for giving back extends far beyond the confines of his office. For the past five years, Bill has dedicated his time as a volunteer scorer for Miami Valley Golf Association. Bill's love for golf has deep roots. He learned to play the game from his father and uncle, who imparted their wisdom and techniques during memorable afternoons spent on the fairways. Over the years, Bill ha... |
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 | Volunteer Spotlight Our May Focus - David Fox discovered his passion for golf at the age of 35 years old, while on vacation with his dad and grandpa. He has always been intrigued by the sport, but it wasn't until that trip that he fell in love with it and has been hooked ever since. He now is a member at Cassel Hills in Vandalia where he plays frequently. In 1992, he won the First Flight Club Championship at Riverbend Golf Club. His love of golf isn’t just limited to playing - he has been an active volunteer with Miami Valley Golf Association for the past 10 years. He will volunteer for any... |
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 | April Volunteer SpotlightGeorgianne Koch - Georgianne has always been a lover of golf. Introduced to the game by her parents when she was just 9 years old, golf had been a constant presence in her life, a way to bond with her mother, and a game she could play as an individual. Over the years, Georgianne had become quite skilled at golf, winning numerous championships and awards, including the GCGA Women's Metropolitan Senior Division Champion in 2014 and the Women's Club Champion at Beckett Ridge CC four times. But golf was more than just a game for Georgianne; it was a way of life. After years of... |
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 | March Volunteer SpotlightTony Pascale - Tony Pascale has been volunteering with Miami Valley Golf for more than 10 years. He has contributed as a scorer and forecaddie for many Association Events. Additionally, for the past 40 years, Tony has volunteered as an alumnus at the University of Dayton. Currently residing in Centerville, OH, Tony and his wife Martha have been married for 58 years and frequently enjoy playing golf in Florida and Ohio. In Ohio, they play most of their golf at Yankee Trace. Tony first became interested in golf at the age of 14 when he worked as a caddy. He started playing... |
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 | September Volunteer Spotlight Scott Graham - Has actively volunteered for Miami Valley Golf for many years and is planning to also volunteer at the upcoming High School Sectional and District Championships. He recently volunteered as a walking scorer at the Korn Ferry Championship in Columbus and the LPGA Queen City tournament at Kenwood CC. He also volunteers for St. Vincent DePaul. For the past 15 years he has lived in Centerville on Yankee Trace Golf Course with his wife of 46 years, Mary. They both graduated from Carroll High school in 1972 and have 3 children and 8 grandchildren. He has been involv... |
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 | July Volunteer SpotlightJim Weaver - Jim has been a long-time active volunteer and recently he has gotten his wife Meggan involved as well. Jim currently resides in Sidney, which further distinguishes his volunteerism as he routinely has over an hour drive to reach any of our MVGA Event locations. When not busy volunteering Jim and Meggan have two sons, two grandsons, two granddaughters and two grand dogs to fill their time. If that is not enough… Jim also volunteers as a T-ball coach, youth basketball coach, serves on the Sidney Zoning Committee and also has been known to pick up a pain... |
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 | June Volunteer SpotlightJohn Macklin - John is a brand-new Miami Valley Golf volunteer, but itonly took him one shift to prove that he deserves to be in our volunteerspotlight. John was the last person to contact us about volunteering for the USOpen Final at Springfield Country Club on June 6th. We had a spotter positionbecome available just the evening before, and even though that wasn’t his firstchoice, he was happy to help. Little did any of us know, he would end up beingone of our heroes of the day. A little after 2:30pm, one of our morning volunteers andafternoon spectators, suffered a medical... |
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 | May Volunteer SpotlightDebbie Stricker - Debbie has been volunteering for Miami Valley Golf for several years as a course rater and has volunteered at some of the high school qualifiers. She also volunteers at several other places including as an Angel on Request (taking needy clients to appointments/shopping or sitting with a family member to give a caretaker some free time) and Operation Homebound (delivering monthly meals to homebound residents of Del Webb Spruce Creek community) in Florida where she and her husband Bob spend their winters. She has also chaired several events for LPGA Amateurs includi... |
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Al Schoolcraft, a dedicated volunteer and community leader,
has made valuable contributions to Miami Valley Golf over the past 11 years. As
the Men's Course Rating Chair and a member of the Executive Committee, Al
