Golf: Fetcho: getting team involved with area
On the journey that Justin Fetcho has embarked on - one that has brought him to Carbondale - the Eldorado native and Southern Illinois University head men's golf coach has picked up a few tricks of the trade along the way.
One of the those being the importance of fundraising and the unique ways about going and doing so.
In what will be the first and Fetcho hopes of many, the SIU Men's golf team will host a scramble on Friday, August 14 at Crab Orchard Golf Club.
The event will be a six-person scramble, but the kicker is that teams of five will be paired with, or may purchase in an auction, a current or former Saluki golfer to complete the six-person team.
While some details are still being worked out, Fetcho said he's got a pretty good idea of some of the current and former Saluki golfers that will be available.
Representing the current crop of SIU golfers will be Ryan Haxel, Ben Patton, Charles Hawn, Brandon Carlson, Luke Gannon, Matt Greenfield, Jacob Henderson, Drew Novara and Peyton Willhoit.
Those representing the alumni will include Jake Erickson, Jason Stilley, Jeff Miller, Mike Tucker, Brandon Bullard, Tom Portner and possibly Brian Norman and Brandon Caldwell. Recent graduates, Andrew Mitchell, Brady Brown, Steve Souchek and Wade Thompson are expected to be on hand as well.
The opportunity to buy a current/former Saluki in a live auction will take place the night before the scramble, August, 13 at Pinch Penny Pub Beer Garden in Carbondale. Those unable to attend will be paired with a current or former Saluki the day of the scramble.
Aside from making money for the men's golf program, it's also an opportunity for Fetcho to reconnect with the southern Illinois golfing community. A situation that the first-year head coach said is a win-win.
"This is really about getting my team involved with the community, the area and bringing back the alumni and getting them on campus. I took bits and pieces of where I have been at, whether its South Florida (where Fetcho attended after two years at John A. Logan College), Oregon or Illinois (both places where Fetcho was an assistant coach at) and figuring out what would be the best dynamic to put in place here. I've talked to the people here in the community, who have been around the area, the program and got their thoughts, opinions and feedback and we thought we would go this route the first time. This has got to be about the community and be about our program, but also about getting former players back and involved and let them know what we are doing."
In an effort to recognize some of the Saluki alumni, following the scramble and dinner, SIU will honor the 1964 SIU Men's Golf National Championship Team.
Coached by Lynn Holder, SIU claimed the NCAA college-division championship. SIU defeated San Diego State by two strokes in just the second meet ever held for college division teams.
The team was led by Gene Carello (former head pro at Franklin County Country Club) and Bill Muehleman, as well as, John Krueger, Leon McNair, Jerry Kirby and John Phelps.
Another big supporter of SIU men's golf has been Crab Orchard head pro Steve Heckle, a 1965 graduate of SIU, that Fetcho expects to be in attendance as well.
The Thursday night event at Pinch Penny will include a $20.00 plate dinner and silent auction. The meal includes BBQ dinner and one complimentary soft drink or draft beer. The scramble on Friday is $150.00 per golfer or $750.00 per five some.
The entry deadline is August 7 and is limited to the first 22 teams.
"Most importantly this about coming together as a community and having a good time," Fetcho said. "You don't have to be golf-inclined. You can come out Thursday to the meet-and-greet dinner, in a relaxed atmosphere and have fun. We just want to build a support bridge with the area and with the golf team that everyone can enjoy."
Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.
SIU Men's Golf Scramble
<p><strong>Men’s Golf Fundraising Dinner & Auction</strong><br /><strong>When:</strong> Thurs., August 13 <br /><strong>Where:</strong> Pinch Penny Pub Beer Garden<br /><strong>Time:</strong> 6-9 p.m.</p>
<p><strong>Saluki Men’s Golf Scramble</strong><br /><strong>When:</strong> Friday, August 14 <br /><strong>Where:</strong> Crab Orchard Golf Club<br /><strong>Time:</strong> 1 p.m. Shotgun Start<br /><br /></p>
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