Six of the seven head golf professionals in the Linville, N.C. club’s history were honored at a reception as part of the Founders Cup, a weekend-long tournament that pays tribute to the club’s history. “We’ve always tried to make sure the history of Grandfather is told,” said tournament chairman Barry Cook, “[and] the great thing for us is those pros came back to be a part of our celebration.”
John Buczek’s smile said it all on June 8that the Founders Cup reception at Grandfather Golf & Country Club in Linville, N.C., the Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal reported.
Buczek, 74, who is still plying his trade as an award-winning golf instructor, was honored as one of the six previous head professionals in the 50-year history of the award-winning golf course tucked away in the North Carolina mountains, the Journal reported.
“I’m honored to be a part of the history of this great club,” said Buczek, who was Grandfather G&CC’s head pro from 2000 through 2006 before he moved to the famed Winged Foot Golf Club in Rye, N.Y.
Buczek, who still gives lessons at the Arnold Palmer Golf Complex at Wake Forest, N.C., has fond memories of his time at Grandfather, the Journal reported. Before he arrived at Grandfather, he was the head pro at Forsyth Country Club in Winston-Salem, N.C.
“I’ve really been a part of some great clubs, but for them to honor me along with other head pros that have been at Grandfather is something else,” said Buczek, a Wake Forest University graduate who was a part of some of coach Jesse Haddock’s great teams at that school in the 1960s, the Journal reported.
Chip King, the current Head Golf Professional at Grandfather G&CC, told the Journal that as part of the celebration of the 50 years of the course, getting the former head pros to return was a treat.
“These guys are all a part of our great history,” King said.
Bob Kletcke (Grandfather’s head pro from 1968-1981), Tom Rogers (1977-1981), Tom Kelly (1982-1986), John McNeely (1989-1999) and Buczek were all at the club’s celebration over the weekend, the Journal reported. Only Rick Anderson (1986-1989) couldn’t be there, because of a member-guest tournament at the Atlanta Athletic Club.
Barry Cook, tournament chairman, told the Journal that this was the eighth year of Grandfather G&CC’s Founders Cup, a weekend-long tournament that pays tribute to the history of the club.
“It really is one of our best weekends,” Cook said. “We’ve always tried to make sure the history of Grandfather is told. The great thing for us is those pros came back to be a part of our celebration. And John is certainly part of that history.”
Clifford Roberts, the first chairman of the Masters, was a member at Grandfather and Bob Hope was an honorary member, the Journal reported.
Buczek said that his memories of Grandfather are numerous. His wife, Dariel, helped him in the pro shop while he worked with members on the course.
“We both have such great memories of Grandfather,” said Buczek, who has been active in Winston-Salem since he and his wife moved back to North Carolina after his time at Winged Foot GC.
Toward the end of the reception, Buczek was asked what it meant to him to be honored.
“It means a lot to be included in this distinguished group of pros before me,” Buczek said. “And, of course, for Chip King to come after me.
“You know,” Buczek added, “Grandfather might not be the top club in the country, but it wouldn’t take long to call the role.”
For the Journal’s full story, go to http://www.journalnow.com/sports/columnists/john_dell/buczek-part-of-grandfather-golf-country-club-s–year/article_bb1e2ea8-34f1-5491-a496-308d4b838642.html
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.