06/18/2024
BRAGG & PASH MEMORIAL 3 MAN SCRAMBLE GOLF TOURNAMENT
Record of 76 teams Participate in the 2024 Event
If you aren’t interested in history or the La Plata Golf Course, then please just skip over this post and go on as it is a long one but filled with lots of history that I’ve enjoyed reminiscing through old yearbooks and digital picture memories this weekend.
When J.W. played in the Ladd Pash Memorial 3 Man Scramble golf tournament with his sons, Jeremy and Jeffrey, on Father’s Day weekend in 2006, he had no idea that would be his last opportunity to share those special moments. On Father’s Day weekend 2007, he was a patient in Boone Hospital after having had a very invasive surgery to remove a cancerous portion of his esophagus and by 2008, the tournament had been renamed the Bragg and Pash Memorial 3 Man Scramble.
La Plata Golf Course History information obtained from Bill Bullock, Clarence "Corky" Thomas, and Tom Phillips edited from the 2005 Sesquicentennial Book
The George Hastings family donated 40 acres to the City of La Plata. In 1932, a group of citizens came up with the idea to build a golf course on the land. 6 holes were laid out and mowed with push-types mowers. These holes wound around gullies filled with old car bodies and junk, the city sewer treatment plant, an occasional milk cow, and through trees and brush. It's been said that bricks were manufactured in what is now the 5th fairway.
In 1933, a 9-hole course was laid out. Par was 31 strokes; Local men drew numbers from a hat to see which hole they would construct. Clarence Thomas and his brothers, Gail and Leland drew #1; Wayne Shinn #2; Herb Sears #3; Frank Elliott; Raymond Flinchaugh and Dale Frye #4; Floyd Dedman, Charles Womack, Watt Johnson and Dr. E.R. Adams #5; Otto Shinn #6; Dr. Clarence Buckley #7; Leon Tansil #8; and Herb Holmes, Walter Wilderson, Edward Fenlon #9.
A building was brought in from Love Lake to be used as a clubhouse until it was razed in the 1980's. Water lines were laid to the greens to keep the grass alive in the summer. Sometime in 1939, a bent grass green was seeded and maintained by Dr. Buckley and Leon Tansil ( #7). Around the parking lot were tennis courts, a playground, and the baseball/football field. Most of the golfers marked their golf balls with an identifying mark. If you found a marked ball, you were to return it to a box in the clubhouse so the rightful owner could reclaim it. Also, one gentleman (who didn't like to lose anything) would tie a string around his tee and put the other end of the string under his foot so he wouldn't lose the tee.
Some of the early players were: Dr. Buckley, Leon Tansil, Herb Sears, Deacon Green, Ray & Mildred Bruce, Owen Bullock, John Meeks, Clarence "Corky" & Pauline Thomas, Worth Lindley, Floyd & Mary Dedman, Royal and Rosalie Peterson, Carl Peterson, Delores Peterson Kanan, Frank Elliott, Dr. Newell, Jay Newby, Wayne Shinn, Dr. Reavley, Don & Virgie Crawford, Walter Wilderson, Bruce McGee, Jim Naughton, and Paul Wright.
ADDED NOTE: Cindy Moore commented that Lester Dent was also one of the early golfers in La Plata. She said that she thought that George Hansen purchased Dent's golf clubs at Tom Phillips' auction and donated them to the La Plata Historical Museum.
There was a different layout being used in 1965 when Claude and Tom Phillips started working at the course. It was also a short layout, around 2150 yards, with 4 par 3's and 5 par 4's for a total par of 32. This layout was used until around June 19, 1967.
On June 20, 1967 another layout was opened. This layout was longer (1825 yards), par 35. We used 6 or the existing greens and volunteers and course employees helped construct 3 new ones. The new greens were #'s 4, 5 & 6. This design had 7 parallel fairways. This meant golfers had a lot of shots flying into neighboring fairways possibly toward other golfers. Two of our more resourceful members came to play wearing "hard hats."
In 1988, 36 acres to the west owned by Doug Bragg was purchased to allow for another design. The added acres allowed the new layout to be longer and much safer. The new layout was built due to the efforts of many volunteers, organizations, and course employees. This layout was opened September 4, 1990 with Clarence Thomas and J.W. Bragg hitting the first shots off of #1 tee. This design had watered fairways, greens, and trees.
Due to increased play, 50 acres were purchased from Mike and Cindy Moore in 1998 to allow for construction of a second 9 holes. Local contractors, many volunteers and course employees began working the new 9 holes. This design was a short, tight layout with 6 ponds, 11 sand traps, and mounding along some of the fairways and greens. This layout was opened on June 10, 2000.
When Claude Phillips began working as the golf course manager in 1965, he was assisted by his wife, Mary, and their only son, Tom. After Claude and Mary’s retirement, Tom and his wife Candy assumed the role of golf course managers with Tom supervising the maintenance of the property. Candy managed the clubhouse which also housed La Plata Golf Pro Shop owned by Tom and Candy. I know personally that Tom and Candy assisted in raising a few young golfers who were at the golf course almost every day during the summer. They didn’t have children of their own but they took several under their wings. Although they wouldn’t admit it, those young golfers gave them a few headaches but they enjoyed seeing them show an interest in golf.
They continued to manage the golf course until February 2008 when Chad Richmond was employed as the building and grounds golf course manager and Tom Cupp was employed as the clubhouse operations manager in charge of such things of tournaments and special events, membership drives, advertisement, junior golf, golf course beautification, etc.
After that time, Tom continued to operate the La Plata Golf Pro Shop at the corner of Hastings and Williams where many of the golfers rented cart spaces when the city cart shed reached capacity. Tom was also the owner of Phillips Aerating and Consulting and served the needs of many golf courses throughout northeast Missouri with the assistance of his nephew, Nolan Otto. Nolan took over the business under the name of “Ottomatic Aeration” after Tom’s death. Tom passed away June 2nd, 2021 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Candy unexpectedly preceded him in death on May 17th, 2018 after having complications from a surgical procedure. Tom continued to be a supporter of the Bragg and Pash Memorial Golf Tournament Calcutta. During an emergency situation, Tom agreed to come back and assist with the management of the golf course for a short period of time. Tom certainly knew everything there was to know about the La Plata Golf Course because he was raised at the golf course during the time his father and mother were employed there during his youth.
We certainly can’t overlook mentioning Tom’s right hand man, Robert Dale (Mikey) Bowen who was a faithful employee and friend for many, many years at the La Plata Golf Course. Mikey passed away on March 1st, 2018. After Tom’s death, the La Plata Men’s Golf Association began sponsoring the “Tom Phillips & Mikey Bowen 4-Man Scramble” which is held in September.
For several years, the La Plata Golf Course was governed by the La Plata Park and Recreation Board. On April 15th, 2008, the La Plata City Council voted to separate the La Plata Municipal Golf Course from the La Plata Park and Recreation Board. With the passing of the motion, Mayor Larry Herron stated that he had formed a La Plata Municipal Golf Course Advisory Committee consisting of Mike Austin, Louis Berrey, Charles Braaten, R.R. Bragg, Kyle Crawford, Del Gregory, Nadine Hull, Denise Kisner, Velva Steele, Jim Stewart and Alderman John McGee who would serve as a non-voting member. Jan Herron was appointed to the board in September 2008 and J.T. Hudson was appointed to the board in February 2009.
At the November 17th, 2009 meeting of the La Plata City Council, Mayor McGee read a statement in reference to the dissolution of the La Plata Municipal Golf Course Advisory Board and the full-time employment of Tom Cupp as the golf course manager to replace Chad Richmond. All activities of the La Plata Municipal Golf Course would be under the direction of the city council.
In April 2012, George Hansen was hired as the golf course manager and held that position until Eric Ensign was hired in 2019. During that period of time, several individuals served as clubhouse manager. During 2019, George had indicated that he was planning to retire at the beginning of the next season and only work part-time.
Eric originally applied for the deputy city clerk’s position, that had been advertised on Indeed, however when his application was received and reviewed it was very obvious that he was better qualified to become the golf course manager. Mayor Bragg immediately contacted him and he came to tour the facility and meet with the City Council.
Earlier in the year, Eric’s wife, Julene, had been hired as a physical education instructor at Truman State University. After his wife and two of their three children relocated to Kirksville, Eric stayed behind in Illinois where he continued his employed with a very large and high scaled two complex golf course, until he could find employment
Eric was impressed with the facility and immediately accepted the position and remains a valuable employee. Shortly afterwards, Steve Lightle was hired as the clubhouse manager and continues to serve in that position as well as his duties in the LHS athletic department.
There have been many valuable employees during the past few years but special thanks to George Hansen for continuing to work part-time and share his expertise as well as the many dedicated hours DONATED/VOLUNTEERED by Alderman Ron Robinson during my tenure as Mayor and since.
I’m not sure how many years the La Plata Golf Course Father’s Day Golf Tournament has been held, but this year is one of the largest ever fielding a total of 76 three-man teams comprised of local, statewide, and some out of state golfers. This marks the 35th year that Ladd Pash has been honored and 16th year for honoring J.W. Bragg.
Shortly after the sudden death of Ladd Pash in July 1988, at the age of 51, the golf tournament became known as the Ladd Pash Memorial Golf Tournament. In 2008, after the death of J.W. Bragg, who served as the drive behind many of the expansion projects, the golf tournament was changed to Bragg & Pash Memorial Golf Tournament.
For many years, J.W. was one of those that thought “chasing” that little white ball all over a big “cow pasture” was ridiculous I’m not sure exactly who it was, probably “Beaky” Bunch or Wilson Belt, that got him convinced to come out one day and just try it one time. From then on, the rest is history and he would play the “noon game” with the guys whenever possible and then started playing tournaments. Eventually, J.W. and Rabbi East, along with several others, began organizing and managing the Father’s Day weekend tournament.
Jeremy and Jeffrey soon followed in their father’s footsteps when they were old enough to hit the ball and had a love for the game. Golf was eliminated as a competitive school sport after the spring of 1989 golf team, coached by Ladd’s wife, Dot, qualified for state competition. The team comprised of Dale Payne, Harold Mitten, Matt Belt, Del Gregory, Darin Demory, Chad Thompson, and Chris Turner finished the season 2nd in the State losing to Louisiana High School by 2 strokes. While visiting with Darin this weekend, he was telling me that after the program was eliminated he finished his Junior and Senior years at KHS so he could continue to play on the high school golf team.
A girls’ golf team was started during the 1983-84 school year with Ann Bullock serving as the coach. Team members were Becky Petree, Lori Sees, Joni Eitel, Tina White, Tracy Ferry. Trisha McHenry, and Brenda Loe. Mrs. Bullock was an avid golfer and a perfect coach for the first ever girls’ golf team that competed against Kirksville and Marceline as well as competing in District Golf at Marceline.
During the 1984-85 school year, the La Plata R-II School District was lucky to attract Dr. Ladd Pash and his wife, Dot, back to his hometown of La Plata from Champaign, IL. Ladd taught science at La Plata R-II and Dot taught in the elementary.
During his girls’ second year of competition, they ended the season 8th out of 11 teams at Districts that fall. When asked if he was satisfied with the season, he replied “Very, I think we were the smallest school there.” His team consisted of Trisha McHenry, Tracy Hogan, Alicia Biggs, Lori Sees, & Lynn Wood.
Ladd started the program for the first LHS Bulldog boys’ golf team that consisted of Scott Clarkson, Ralph Smith Brian Gray, & David Wheeler. Having only a four (4) member team made competition very tough but they finished 2nd in matches against Kirksville and Highland. However, during a match at Brookfield, they were competing against Brookfield, Marshall, Macon, and Moberly and they finished in last place. They also played another match in Marceline and were defeated 179 to 198. The final match of the year was at District competition in Kirksville where they placed 12th out of 14 teams. David Wheeler placed 7th and received a medal for his efforts.
During the 1985-86 school year, Dr. Pash’s girls’ golf team included Alicia Biggs, Tracy Hogan, Trisha McHenry, Lynn Wood, Lori Sees, and Michelle Pratte. They competed competitively during the season and finished 6th out of 11 teams in District competition. Averages for the team were Wood with 52; Sees with 60; McHenry with 58; Hogan with 54; Biggs with 56; and Pratte with 62.
The ten players on the boys’ golf team included Brian Gray, Ralph Smith, Barry Ruby, David Wheeler, Jon Wait, Robby Robinson, Harold Mitten, Dale Payne, Del Gregory, & Matt Belt. The Bulldog golfers had a very successful year by placing 10th out of 16 teams in class 1A – 2A schools at the state tournament. David Wheeler led the team with a solid 78-74 which gave him a tie for 5th place at state. They finished 6th out of 11 teams in the Brookfield tournament in a field of mostly 3A schools. They also finished 2nd out of nine schools at district competition at Monroe City. The varsity averages were Wheeler with 40; Gray with 44; Ruby with 45; Gregory with 47; Smith with 48; Payne with 46; Belt with 51; Mitten with 51; Robinson with 47; and Wait with 65.
During the 1986-87 school year, the Lady Bulldog golf squad consisted of Michelle Pratte, Tracy Hogan, Alicia Biggs, Lori Sees, Lynn Wood, Heather Belt, and Trisha Mc Henry who were once again coached by Dr. Pash. The girls had a very successful year by placing 6th at the Brookfield tournament. During the District Golf tournament, they placed 9th out of 12 teams.
The Bulldog golf team consisted of Harold Mitten, Jim Berrey, Del Gregory, Dale Payne and Matt Belt. They finished with a great season by placing 5th in the individual competition. The Bulldog golfers finished 3rd in the Brookfield Tournament and 2nd in the district meet at Monroe City which qualified them for the state trournament.
Dr. Pash’s last year coaching prior to his death was during the 1987-88 school year where the yearbook only shows that there was a boys’ golf team consisting of Chad Thompson, Harold Mitten, Dale Payne, Chris Turner, Darin Demory, Jim Berrey, Matt Belt, & Del Gregory. The yearbook reported that inconsistency seemed to plague the LHS Bulldog Golf team during that year as they “drove” through the season; however, they did post some excellent scores and won several meets against larger schools. They posted the top score twice against Kirksville; once against Macon and twice against Marceline.
Hoping for a return trip to the state tournament, the boys were disappointed with their outing at district competition when they placed 3rd in a field of ten. Only the top two teams qualify to advance to state competition. However, Dale Payne qualified individually to compete in state competition by placing 3rd at Districts.
Coach Pash was loved by all his students and especially the members of his golf teams and that was definitely expressed during the memorial service that was held after his death.
Once again during the 1988-89 school year, the yearbook indicates that there was only a boys’ golf team and it was proudly coached by Dr. Pashs’ widow, Dot who took the team all the way to the MSHSAA state Class 1A-2A championship. Members of the team were Dale Payne, Harold Mitten, Matt Belt, Del Gregory, Darin Demory, Chad Thompson, & Chris Turner. The LHS golfers definitely had an awesome season during the spring of 1989. Each member continued to improve his game throughout the season. Of the seven meets, the LHS golfers won four and placed in the other three. The highlight of the season took place at the state golf meet held in Columbia when the LHS Bulldog team placed 2d in Class 1A-2A and Del Gregory tied for medalist for individual competition.
After five (5) years of the La Plata R-II School District not recognizing golf as a competitive sport, during the 1993-94 school year, several parents of young golfers in the community were successful in advocating for the district to reinstate the golf program. During that year, the team was coed and coached by Mike Beets. Members of the team were Jeffrey Bragg, Jeremy Bragg, Jeremy Sawyer, Clay Furman, Missy Jones, and Mike Smith. Still not recognized as a very competitive sport, there was no mention of statistics for the season in the yearbook.
During the 1994-95 school year, once again the acknowledgments towards the achievements of the girls’ and boys’ golf teams weren’t highlighted other than that Missy Jones individually competed in the state golf championship. The girls team that year consisted of Cindy Phipps, Dana Deskin, Kathy Bunch, Missy Jones, and Heather Furman. It didn’t mention who their coach was for the year. The boys’ team was coached by Tom Lutz and consisted of Jeffrey Bragg, Josh Waddle, Mike Smith, and Jeremy Bragg.
The 1995-96 yearbook did have a colored double page feature of the golf teams with several individual as well as team pictures but with very little details regarding their accomplishments. The girls’ team was coached by Mrs. John (Kim) Moore and the team consisted of Dana Deskin, Cindy Phipps, Kathy Bunch, Missy Jones, and Heather Furman. The boys’ team was coached by David Yoder and consisted of Josh Robinson, Jeremy Bragg, Jeffrey Bragg, Jason Corrick, Jeff Breuklander, Rusty Webber, and Josh Waddle. During that season, it was reported that even though the girls’ record wasn’t too great, they enjoyed playing the different courses. The boys started out rough but won a few golf meets and placed 3rd out of 13 teams at district competition. Jeff Bragg, Jeremy Bragg, and Josh Robinson all medaled at least twice during the season. Jeremy Bragg and Josh Robinson qualified at district competition with a birdie to advance to the state golf tournament.
Once again during the 1996-97 golf season, the yearbook had featured the golf teams with a colored double page spread with several individual and team pictures. The girls’ and boys’ teams were once again coached by Mike Beets. The girls’ team consisted of Kathy Bunch, Kristin Cokerham, Missy Jones, Cindy Phipps, Heather Furman, & Janie Williams. The boys’ team consisted of Jack Hull, Cory Snow, Tyson Simmons, Mike Smith, Jeff Breuklander, Tyler Perry, Josh Robinson, Joe Blacksmith, Jeff Bragg, and Josh Waddle. Coach Mike Beets said that the teams had lots of fun this school year and he was proud of all of them and happy that the students enjoyed themselves. Although the girls won some and lost some, Coach Beets said they were the ones that always had fun and always celebrated no matter the outcome. The boys’ team placed 1st at South Shelby and Schuyler County tournaments. They were also District 4 champions and qualified to compete at state competition where they placed 5th.
Moving fast forward, I don’t have any information regarding the LHS Bulldog program from 1997 thru 2014. However, whomever started the La Plata Golf page has done a great job recording memories from April 2015 thru the current time. Check out this Facebook link to see lots of acknowledgements for many LHS students that have participated and excelled in the very competitive sport of Golf, especially La Plata’s own Logan Smith who has gone on to compete in many amateur golf competitions and is hoping to go pro. No doubt with his talent, dedication, and determination, Logan will achieve his dream and we will all be watching him on TV in the near future.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057273736633
Golf is a sport that the participants can continue to enjoy for the remainder of their lives. Not many individuals go on to participate in basketball, track, softball, or baseball as lifelong activities after high school. We have some very active 70 and 80 + year old golfers that play regularly and enjoy the sport for fun as well as a little healthy competition. Also, golf is one of the very few activities available for the youth of our community.
The La Plata community is very fortunate to have such an outstanding facility as the La Plata Municipal Golf Course that is rated one of the best 18-hole golf courses in Northeast Missouri.
There were many hours of donated/volunteer time provided by many individuals that have made the golf course what it is today.
While I was doing some research, I came across this recognition that I’d never seen before that was written in the La Plata Park and Recreation minutes from February 8th, 2008, just after J. W.’s death. I assume that since I worked for the City of La Plata at the time, they thought that it would have been brought to my attention. I wish I knew who the writer of these very kind words was so that I could let them know just how much it means to me and even though J.W. was humble he would have appreciated these words.
“On behalf of the Park & Recreation Board and the City of La Plata, we wish to recognize J. W. Bragg for his individual contribution to the La Plata Golf Course, and his ability to lead a group of volunteers in various projects, at the course, which included the remodel of the “front nine“ as well as the addition of the “back nine”. Each group, which has success with projects of magnitude, must have a leader who makes plans, takes action and has a following of people to undertake and complete the plan. Our leader was Jimmy”
The following poem was included in Tom Phillips’ obituary folder
Life is like a Round of Golf
By Criswell Freeman
Life is like a round of golf
With many a turn and twist.
But the game is much too sweet and short
To curse the shots you've missed.
Sometimes you'll hit it straight and far+
Sometimes the putts roll true.
But each round has it's errant shots
And troubles to play through.
So always swing with courage
No matter what the lie.
And never let the hazards
Destroy the joy inside.
And keep a song within your heart
Give thanks that you can play.
For the round is much too short and sweet
To let it slip away.
La Plata High School Boys/Girls Golf Team
