UPFRONT HELPING EDUCATION // BY TERRY TROY
In the Swing The 31st Annual Lorain County Community College Jack Nicklaus Scholarship Golf Benefit welcomes back a local pro.
COURTESY LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
B
y all accounts, the 31st Annual Lorain County Community College (LCCC) Jack Nicklaus Scholarship Benefit at Elyria Country Club was a rousing success, with 137 golfers taking to the links to raise money for prospective college students. “We don’t have all of the financials in as of yet, but it was a full field. We were totally sold out,” says Don Knechtges, who co-chaired the event with Kent Hageman, managing director and part-owner of the Hageman Masters Group of Morgan Stanley, and Todd Sommer of Sommer’s Mobile Leasing. It’s the only golf benefit in the nation to carry the legendary Jack Nicklaus name. It has played host to PGA greats such as Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson and Mark Calcavecchia, among many others. This year’s event was a homecoming of sorts for Robert J. Bourne, a graduate of Oberlin High School, former Ohio Amateur Champion and a PGA Master Professional. Since 1996, he has been the director of instruction at StoneWater Golf Club in Highland Heights. “Bob is recognized as one of the most highly regarded instructors in our area and the country, and we were happy he was able to return home to Lorain County and join us to make this event special for our participants,” says Tracy Green, LCCC vice president for strategic and institutional development. As in years past, PGA professional
Don Knechtges, Robert J. Bourne and Judge Joseph Cirigliano visit before the event.
and television personality Jimmy Hanlin helped with the scholarship fund event. “Bob Bourne is one of the best teaching professionals in the country,” says Hanlin. “So, we had select golfers come in early and videotaped their swing. Bob then offered a voiceover with a critique of their swing. People just loved it. They could take the video home and play it six months from now when they get back out on the course.” Hanlin, who plays a perennial role with the event, set up on a par 3 and hit shots with the linksters. “If I got a better shot, they could use it,” Hanlin says. “But if they got a
Martin M’tambo, manager of new business development, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, heads for the green. clevelandmagazine.com/cleader
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