For a number of years, the Kentucky Golf Association conducted a Senior Amateur Championship and a Senior Two-Man Team Championship for our senior golfers. It was not until the fall of 1986 that a separate organization now known as the Kentucky Senior Golf Association was proposed. This concept for the Kentucky Senior Golf Association was presented to the participants in the Kentucky Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship at Summit Hills Country Club in September of 1986. The individuals primarily responsible for the formation were Fred Allen, Dale Barnstable, John Owens, and Tom Musselman as tournament chairman for the Kentucky Golf Association and Ernie Denham, the KGA-PGA, Inc. Executive Director.
The initial board of directors meeting was held at Big Spring Country Club on December 2, 1986. Fred Allen of Audubon Country Club was elected President and Dale Barnstable of Hurstbourne Country Club was elected Secretary-Treasurer. A second board of directors meeting was held on December 16, 1986, at which time the by-laws for the new association were presented by the KGA-PGA, Inc. legal counsel, Mike Conliffe, and approved by the board. The possibility of one-day events was also discussed at this meeting and was the start of the popular Senior Specials.
A mailing of applications for membership to the new association was made in January of 1987. By the next board meeting on March 13, 1987, Ernie Denham was able to report that 310 seniors had signed up for membership. The Kentucky Senior Golf Association was an immediate success! At this same meeting, a long range planning committee consisting of Dick Struck, Don Smith, Dale Barnstable and Fred Allen was formed to explore the expansion of the tournament schedule and the goals of the association. This was the first indication of what was to later become the Kentucky Senior Golf Foundation. It should be noted at this time that when the Kentucky Senior Golf Association was formed, provisions were made for two representatives, initially Fred Allen and Dale Barnstable, to also serve on the Kentucky Golf Association Board of Directors.
The 1988 season was begun with the same slate of officers, a membership of 338 and a tournament schedule of four events. After a successful second year for the association, a survey was sent to the membership that was to be very beneficial in the rapid growth it was experiencing. The association began its third year with a membership of 377 by March and a schedule of four events.
At the March 1989 board of directors meeting, the bylaws were changed to add the additional office of Vice President that was filled by Don Smith. As the association grew in strength within the framework of Kentucky Golf, President Fred Allen was appointed to the KGA-PGA, Inc. board of directors in order to have proper representation of the association's interest.
The 1990 season found Fred Allen and Don Smith re-elected President and Vice President. Houston Jones was elected to the post of Secretary-Treasurer and Carol Houchen to the new position of Second Vice President.
The major event of 1990 was the formation of the Kentucky Senior Golf Foundation, Inc. The original directors were Fred Allen, Don Smith and Houston Jones who managed the foundation until a separate board of directors could be selected. The initial funding of approximately $16,000 was to be used by the foundation for charitable purposes. Later in the year the foundation was turned over to the new board of directors: Frank Dougherty, Matt Tatum, Ralph Wells, Charlie Scott and Don Ray. In 1990, a point system was introduced to determine the Kentucky Senior Golf Association Player of the Year. Bill Gibson was the first recipient of this award as the association completed its fourth year with a record 475 members.
In 1991, its fifth year, the Kentucky Senior Golf Association was led by President Houston Jones, 1st Vice President Don Smith, 2nd Vice President Carol Houchen and Secretary-Treasurer Graham Roth, Jr. A full schedule of six events was again offered to the membership that reached 509 by the end of the season. With this increase in membership a proposal to set up two divisions for tournament play was made and approved by the board of directors at their August meeting. The Foundation held a charity scramble and banquet at the Wildwood Country Club to wind up another successful year.
In 1992 Don Smith served as President, Bob Kinny as Vice President, Graham Roth, Jr. as Secretary-Treasurer, Roby Crouch Vice President in charge of Division 1, and Harold Noland Vice President in charge of Division 2. Membership reached 530. Six tournaments were held and a format emerged: three one-day events by Divisions and three State Championships (Two-Man Team, Match Play and Stroke Play).
In 1993, our 7th year, Bob Kinny served as President with Don Schardein as Vice President, Graham Roth, Jr. Secretary-Treasurer, Roby Crouch Vice President Division 1 and Harold Noland Vice President Division 2.
Don Smith, our 1992 President, served as Kentucky Golf Association President in 1993 and served as President of the KGA-PGA, Inc. board of directors in 1994. Founding member and first President, Fred Allen serves on both of these boards and along with Don Smith serves as our representative on the KGA board. The KGA Senior Foundation held a banquet and "shamble" charity tournament at the South Park Country Club. $2,000 was donated to the newly formed Kentucky Junior Golf Tour helping to make this junior golf program very successful.
Harold Noland served as President in 1994 with Roby Crouch Vice President, Graham Roth, Jr. as Secretary-Treasurer, Don Keene, Vice President Division 1 and Tom Moore, Vice President Division 2. 1994 also saw membership reach 535 active members as well as Kenneth Rowland honored as the Kentucky Senior Golf Association Player of the Year at the KPGA Traveler's Awards banquet held at the Radisson Hotel in October. Another $2,000 was donated to the Kentucky Junior Golf Association.
1995 was another successful year for the Kentucky Senior Golf Association. Roby Crouch was the President as the membership held steady at 531. The other officers in 1995 were Harold Noland, Vice President, Graham Roth, Secretary-Treasurer, Don Keene, Vice President Division I and Tom Moore, Vice President Division II. Our association again was a contributor to junior golf with $10.00 of our dues going to this worthwhile endeavor. At the awards banquet and "Shamble" held at Harmony Landing Country Club in September $5,000 was donated to the Kentucky Senior Golf Foundation so they could continue their charitable efforts. Don Wood was honored as the Senior Player of the Year after an outstanding season.
The 1996 season proved to be one of the most interesting on record. Don Wood captured every major championship on the Kentucky Senior Golf Association schedule and was honored for a second straight year as Player of the Year. Rain hampered play at the Match Play Championship, Spring Special, the Shamble, and threatened several other events. President Don Smith, along with VP Dick Tingle and Secretary-Treasurer Ron Knorpp guided the association through a very successful season and were instrumental in the formation of a committee to research the development of the "Kentucky Golf House"; a permanent home for the combined associations representing golf in Kentucky.
The 1997 tournament season was highlighted by the Stroke Play Championship where Roger Peoples and Don Cothran battled down to the wire forcing a playoff at The Summit Country Club. Tied after the 1st hole, the playoff continued at the par 5 sixth hole where Cothran holed a 20' birdie putt for the win. Not only did he capture the title, but his points total paved the way for Player of the Year honors. The association, under the guidance of President Dick Tingle, VP Hollis Hinton, and Secretary-Treasurer Ron Knorpp, continues accumulating funds toward a possible "Kentucky Golf House". Membership totals of 525 reflect the fine support and leadership of the Kentucky Senior Golf Association.
Members of the 1998 Kentucky Senior Golf Association were privy to one of the finest tournament schedules ever produced in the commonwealth. Facilities such as newly opened Lafayette Golf Course at Rough River, Danville Country Club (hosting the 2000 KGA State Amateur), Players Club of Lexington, and Persimmon Ridge Golf Club offered the competitive opportunities the members look forward to. Player of the Year Lucian Raque was the only player to capture more than one title during the season; the Bank One Match Play and the Summer Special. His total point accumulation was just enough to top several other contenders.
President Hollis Hinton, Vice President George Gupton, and Secretary-Treasurer Ron Knorpp provided leadership to the 520 members of the association during this active year. With the Board of Directors approval, these gentlemen will continue in their respective positions through the 1999 season. Under the leadership of President Hollis Hinton, the KSGA kept pace with the demands of providing great golf for its members. Although membership was slightly below the record levels of the past few years, the tournament activities were well attended and some true champions were crowned for their achievements. Player of the Year Bill Harding took home numerous trophies including the Match Play Championship and the Two-Man Team Championship with his partner Fred McMillen.
As the KSGA moved into the new millennium, 2000 KSGA President George Gupton began exploring new opportunities for the association, including sponsorship of the member's directory, patrons' page, and expanding the tournament schedule. The tournament committee reserved some the finest golf courses in the state including The Bull @ Boone's Trace and Traditions Golf Club. Joe Cantrell won both the Match Play Championship at Persimmon Ridge Golf Club and the Stroke Play Championship at the very difficult Crooked Creek Golf Club as well as finishing second in the Kentucky Senior Open to capture Player of the Year honors.
President Gupton continued providing outstanding leadership with the KSGA realizing new sponsorship opportunities and a renewed emphasis on player services. The 2001 Stroke Play was hosted by President Gupton and will be remembered for a long time because of the special treatment provided by Campbellsville Country Club head professional Mike Kehoe and his staff. It took a playoff to decide the winner as Joe Kelly Jaggers outlasted Don Wood in a classic battle. Joe Cantrell defended his title in the KSGA Match Play and returned to the podium as KSGA Player of the Year. Other accomplishments for Joe included a successful qualification into the US Senior Amateur where he advanced all the way to match play. Joe also took home top honors in the KSGA Fall Special at Widow's Watch G.C. and made the final cut at the 2001 Kentucky Open.
Newly elected for 2002-2003, President Roger Peoples began his leadership tenure by establishing new committees in the areas of publicity and membership. The selections were made for the following to chair these committees: Fred Gupton, Tournament Chairman, Joe Cantrell, Publicity Chairman, and W.C. Walter, Membership Chairman. These men, along with the entire board of directors, produced a wonderful season of tournament events and a record membership roster. 2002 highlights include the announcement that Joe Cantrell earned Player of the Year honors for the third straight season. His victory at the Two-Man Championship with partner Roger Peoples and some high finishes in other events vaulted him ahead of Stroke Play Champion Dwaine Gauding and Match Play Champion Bill Harding. For the first time, the Match Play was moved to Wildwood Country Club where it was met with an outstanding response. It will return to Wildwood again in 2003 and promises to be another successful event.
As the 2003 season opened, all KSGA members received a specially designed players' cap. Along with the KSGA initials, the cap was embroidered with 1986, the official year of organization for the association. New member Rick Cain didn't take long to establish himself as a force by winning the Two-Man Team with partner Doug Elliott. Later that year, Rick also captured the Match Play Championship at Wildwood Country Club. With those victories and other top finishes, he accumulated enough points to oust Joe Cantrell as KSGA Player of the Year for 2003. The tournament committee provided several of the state's top facilities for competition including Champion Trace Golf Club, site of the 2004 Kentucky Open.
2004 was another memorable year for the KSGA. During the KSGA Senior Amateur Championship at Madisonville Country Club, it took a playoff to determine the winner. Louisville's Vaughn Jones and Gary Herfel from Southgate were tied at 144. During the sudden-death playoff, Mr. Herfel's play was steady and carded him the victory. Rick Cain showed his competitive form by capturing the 2004 Match Play Championship which was moved to newly renovated Maywood Country Club. That victory helped him maintain his dominance and led him to a second straight Player of the Year honor. A new event called the "Amazon.com Special" offered the membership another tournament in which to compete. Held at Campbellsville CC, the event was created with the assistance of KSGA Board Member George Gupton and the administration staff at the Amazon company located in Campbellsville.
The KSGA celebrated its nineteenth anniversary by offering it's members many of the state's finest and most respected golf venues for competition. Led by President Fred Gupton and a dedicated board of directors, the KSGA broke the record for number of participants with almost 1100 entries. Bruce G. Walter's used his exceptional play in the 2005 KSGA Senior Amateur Championship, held at the newly renovated Big Spring Country Club, to catapult to the top of the KSGA's Player of the Year points. By season's end Walters held off defending champion Rick Cain and surging William Simpson by a slim margin to take top honors.
2006 was a memorable year for the KSGA, as the organization celebrated its twentieth anniversary. At the October, 2006 KSGA Board of Directors meeting at Persimmon Ridge Golf Club, Dale Barnstable, Tom Musselman, and John Owens were each recognized for their contributions in organizing the KSGA in 1986, and the late Fred Allen was also remembered for his efforts. Lead by President Joe Cantrell, the KSGA continued its fine tradition of offering the finest courses in Kentucky for its competitions and events. Keen Shackelford captured the KSGA Match Play Championship at South Park Country Club, Jim Dunaway captured the KSGA Senior Amateur Championship at Champion Trace Golf Club, and Bill Simpson of Bowling Green was the 2006 KSGA Player of the Year. 2006 was also a memorable year in that the long-awaited Golf House Kentucky project was completed, with grand opening ceremonies on November 10. The Kentucky Senior Golf Association was a key contributor to the capital campaign for the project.
