The Ed Gasper team members left to right; Scott Robinson (‘85), Bert Schoenadel (‘96) Jeff Tschudi, Elvis, Dan Skarwecki (‘85), Dr. Mathias, and Ed Gasper (‘84)
After a week of rain, the clouds parted for the 34th Annual Shields Memorial Golf Tournament at Twin Shields Golf Club on Friday, May 10, and Elvis appeared. A packed field of 160 golfers traversed the well-conditioned course and rolling terrain at Twin Shields Golf Club throughout the picture perfect day.
For the first time, I actually played in the tournament and had a fantastic time as I and 4 former students somehow shot 10 under par. We were led by our appointed captain, Dan Skarwecki (Golf ‘85), since he reportedly had true captain experience on the high seas. Unbeknownst to me, Skarwecki actually sank three vessels. When we needed to make a putt, the players naturally cheered, “Way to sink that putt captain!”
It was also a special time for me to see how important our alumni, golf and turf businesses and associations were in supporting this tournament. Well over 80 players in the tournament were UMD alumni or turfgrass professionals and a majority of our hole sponsors were turfgrass businesses and associations. Mark Merrick’s (Golf ‘86) daughter came up with a new fund raising scheme called “Closest to the Keg Hole” and we earned over $600 on players attempting to land their drive closest to a beer keg in the middle of the 14th fairway!
Without the help of IAA students the “Good Doctor” would not have been able to play in this year’s tournament. From left to right; Tim Burkhart, Brian Hogan, Jim Halley, Geoff Brittingham, Tyler Brunk, Steve Brew, Elvis, Jake Reeves, Dr. Mathias, and Brian Knott.
Just over $15,000 was raised at this year’s tournament and the proceeds support student scholarships and turfgrass educational programs at the University of Maryland’s Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA). In 2013 the IAA sent multiple teams of students to compete in national competitions. We placed 1st out of 34 teams in the Student Challenge at the Sports Turf Managers Association in Daytona Beach, Florida and had three teams place 3rd, 4th, and 11th in a field of 69 teams at the 19th Annual GCSAA Turf Bowl Competition in San Diego, California. Since 1991 a total of 92 scholarships have been awarded to deserving students majoring in our Golf Turf program. This accomplishment would not have been possible without alumni, industry, and the Shields families’ support of this benefit tournament. And Elvis, who showed up and gave his approval by posing with the players on the first tee throughout the tournament.
Mark Merrick (‘86) second from the left and his daughter Samantha “Sam” Merrick pose with Elvis and the rest of the Genesis Turf team.
In order for me to play in this year’s tournament, current IAA students took charge of such activities as the putting contest, the long drive hole, closest to the keg hole, and double your money hole along with creating the theme top hat of the tournament at different locations on the course.
Students apply their final artistic touches to the Shields Memorial top hat. From left to right are Jake Reeves, Brian Knott, and Steve Brew.
