The Metropolitan
August 2021
A m a z i ng : S o m e t h i ng E l l e n The Bogeyman Dan O’Neill
(Editor’s note: This story appears courtesy of Morning Read (www. morningread.com) Perhaps the best way to start this essay is to defer to MAGA executive director Curt Rohe, who made this post after the final round of the MAGA Senior Amateur Championship on Aug. 25: “I have been fortunate to see and do some amazing things in my 20+ years with MAGA, but today may have taken the cake! First, it was two of the hottest days I can remember on the golf course, so for that I want to say thank you to my staff and volunteers for showing why we are the best at what we do, bar none! Second, Ellen I knew you would play well this week, but I’m being honest saying I did not think you would win and I should know better! I tell people all the time you may be the most competitive golfer I know and you proved that today! You are amazing and today was one of the most memorable, historic days I’ve spent on the golf course….so thank you and congratulations!” Two things about that post - first, yes, Rohe and his band of golf brothers do a first-rate job, and their efforts in the crockpot conditions at Sunset Country Club on Aug. 24-25 were terrific. Second, and central to this space, “amazing” is something Ellen Port never runs out of. Since laying down a tennis racket and taking up a golf club in her mid-20s, Port has put stacked one remarkable moment on top of another, moments that include seven USGA championships and way too many national qualifications and local championships to list. For perspective, only JoAnne Carner has more women’s USGA titles - one more. And with the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur on Sept. 10-15 looming, the distinction is tenuous. In between, Port has raised two children, played on and captained U.S. Curtis Cup teams, taught physical education at John Burroughs School, coached golf
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at Washington University, nurtured a m her best friend, caddy and supportive hu chewed gum at the same time.
Over the years, Port’s game has fluctuat goes. So it is with golf, so it is with any carried Port through for all these years spades. She has it for golf, for competi people.
To say you expected Port to become the traditionally male version of the Senior That is not something one predicts. Th knows her would rule it out.
Joe Malench might have thought if he s final round, if he made eight birdies and 2 environment of two days and 100-degree good enough. Who wouldn’t?
That said, no one who knows Ellen Por back, shot a 5-under 67 in the final roun foot birdie putt, would say “that’s not pos
Of course it is. Of course she did those th
Earlier this summer, Port played in the included some of the LPGA greats of the Sorenstam. The field also included Carn Thompson, who played alongside Port du
After shooting 71-69, Port was four stro Club going into the weekend, rubbing lea Davies, Catriona Matthew, etc. When s conference on Friday, when she paused tearing up.
She apologized to the media center gath don’t care,” Port said. “I love to cry. The o emotion …”
To know Port is to be able to finish the s emotion … then what are you here for?”
The game is charged with emotion … the of playing poorly … the appreciation of
