Empire Dunes golf league ends:
summer of fun
The game of golf is full of love and challenges as 100-year-old Jim Dorsey nails a putt from hole No. 16 at the Empire Dunes Golf Club.
Last Thursday, the Empire Dunes Golf Club Men’s Summer League wrapped with its final pairings, putting competition, and banquet.
“The beauty is (my favorite thing about golf). And then, I get to play with these guys, which is the best part. It’s a bunch of good guys up here and players,” Dorsey said.
The league was based on age and handicap, and concluded with a putting contest and banquet.
“We are all old. And it’s a fun place to play. It’s challenging,” one golfer said.
A-Flight winners: Josh Riebe B-Flight winners: Dave Geisler C-Flight winners: Roger Merillat D-Flight winner: Bob Price Putting Contest winner: Roger Matson.
The only thing that is missing is the “name, imagine and likeness” money that college athletes receive now to support these stellar amateurs.
Leagues have been running at The Dunes Golf Club for approximately 43 years, dating back to the course’s opening in the 1980s. The first leagues were in 1984-85, and the course features friendly contests for both men and women.
The summer men’s league begins in mid-May each year and runs through August. Golfing brings old buddies and new ones alike back together before they put the clubs away and venture to their winter hobbies.
The group sees guys come and go, and they especially missed Dave Taghon after he passed away earlier this summer. Most of the fellas in the league are second or third-generation Empire blood.
The club credits Mike Landers, Bill Freeman, Dave Peppler, and more for their contribution in making the golf league happen.
After last Thursday’s tournament, the group gathered in Traverse City for the banquet to present awards and review highlights one final time for the 2025 season.
Flight A participants: Riebe, Jim Bagaloff, Frank Sciannella, Chuck Emery, Terry Bacon, Dan Katzman, Bruce Jaccobs, Tom Theodoran, Pete Maher, Jim Prange.
Flight B: Dave Geisler, Ed Polack, Craig Thomas, Wade Roskam, Ed Timmer, Dan Iannotti, Jeff Martiew, David Barth, Mark Baeverstad.
Flight-C: Merillat, Dick Daly, Dan McIsaac, Matson, Charlie Godbout, Jack Peekstok, Peppler, Tom Hy.
Flight-D: Bob Price, Bill Banish, Bob Dumke, Dick Kay, Freeman, Bob Graham, Jim Dorsey.
