THE SENIOR MEN'S CLUB OF NEW CANAAN
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 28, 2003
President Bob Witt opened the meeting with 124 members present. Current membership is full at 525, with 12 on the waiting list.
Announcements: Joe Sweet deputizing for Dick DePatie, informed the members that Bill Maloney, Russ Gough and Elly King remain convalescing at Waveny. President Witt informed us Gov. Rowland is about to sign legislation increasing state income taxes. Dick Seltzer announced a meeting with senior operating officials from Indian Point at Town Hall on March 15th, at 7pm.
Activities: Bowlers will bowl; Bridge players will play; Paddlers, will paddle; and 4F’s; will lunch at Nino’s. Trailblazers hike to the Husotonic rail bed on March 26th.
Couth: On March 12, we will see the Broadway hit Mamma Mia. Jackets are required at the Firebird restaurant. April 24, is the trip to the Connecticut State Capitol. And on May 8-9, is the overnight trip to Boston.
Resident Humorist: John Berg informed us that Monica Lewinski is 28 and is no longer crawling around on her hands and knees.
SPEAKER
VP Jack Murray introduced Dave Eichelberger, a golf Pro., who last year placed in the money in 30 out of 31 tournaments. Dave spoke of his 50 year career in golf, his experiences as an amateur, PGA and Senior PGA Pro., as well as the people who influenced him most. In 1955 he enrolled in a summer golf program and played almost every day guided by a Pro., who had caddied for Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson. Dave went on to win the Texas State Jr. championship, and received a scholarship to OSU. He was greatly influenced by his OSU coach, who taught him "self and course management and to never, never, ever quit". He was backed by his parents on the amateur circuit where he won a spot on the Walker Cup Team and an invitation to the Masters in 1965. In 1966 he played in the Masters as an amateur, turned Pro and went on the PGA Tour in 1967, where he met Lee Trevino with whom he traveled and roomed until 1968 when Lee won the US Open. In 1971 he won his first tournament, the Milwaukee Open. In 1972 he had his first head to head match with Arnold Palmer, and was paired with Sam Snead who was then in his sixties. From 1977 to 81, Dave won the Milwaukee Open again, JC Penny Classic, Bay Hill Classic, and The Tallahassee Open in 1981. He continued on the PGA Tour with moderate success. In 1994 he was "born again" on the Sr. Tour, which got its start in 1979, known as the Legends of Golf. The Tour quickly went from 2 events in 1980 to 24 in 1984, and came under the PGA. Today it is called the Champions Tour, has 32 events with total prize money of $52M. By contrast the PGA has 40 events and prize money of $225M. Dave won 7 events on the Champions Tour. The most important was the US Sr. Open in 1999. This made him eligible for the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach where he and Tiger Woods tied for low round of the day. Dave is not only an outstanding golfer, he is also an outstanding speaker.
Stan Stanziale, Asst. Secretary