2000 MMJGA News
Awards Banquet and Holiday Party
This year's MMJGA Awards Banquet and Holiday Party was a huge success. On Saturday, December 30, 2000, thirty caddies, parents and MMJGA Board Members enjoyed a wonderful brunch at J.D. Hoyt's in downtown Minneapolis. Following the meal, Caddie Master Jack Stahlmann named this year's winners and handed out the awards and cash prizes at a brief but enjoyable ceremony.
Those honored with checks and Certificates of Achievement included Shaun, as the Most Improved Caddie, while Jonathan was recognized as the Best Caddie At A Private Course. 2000's only female caddie, Tasha, was honored as the Best Caddie At A Public Course. Brothers Justin and Jeremy divided the award for Most Dedicated Caddie as its co-recipients.
No one left empty-handed. Jack had a check for every caddie in attendance, and many golf trinkets were passed around.
We'll see everyone next year!
MMJGA Steps Up to the "Challenge"
Seven of MMJGA's top caddies were invited to participate in the Dayton's Challenge on June 24 and 25, 2000 at the Minneapolis Golf Club.
The annual tournament, put on by PGA tour professional Tom Lehman, is a fundraiser for children with cancer. The seven caddied for the pro-am section of the tournament, while MMJGA board member David Pomije was among the fortunate few who were able to golf in this gala affair.
During the two-day event, our caddies were in groups which included PGA professional Jack Nicholas Jr., and celebrity golfers such as Neil Broten and KFAN personality "The Common Man" Dan Cole. Their duties ranged from caddying for individual players to carrying leaderboard signs for groups.
The caddies also received passes to view the Challenge, which took place on Monday, June 26. They witnessed some great golf and got some pointers on their own game at the various clinics available on site.
The 2000 event marked the first time that our caddies participated in this great tournament. With the success these caddies had, we hope to be invited back to the Dayton's Challenge.
FORE!!
On June 26 and 27 our program had another first—our first golf clinic. Peter Hoffman, a professional at Rush Creek Golf Course in Maple Grove, organized six top professionals in the area to give sixteen of our caddies a two-day golf clinic. The caddies worked on their own golf game, from driving to putting, and we are happy to report that there were not major injuries or broken windows.
All kidding aside, the caddies have turned into very good golfers. In fact, two of our caddies participated in varsity golf this past spring at their respective high schools. Beyond our varsity stars, our other caddies made vast improvements in their game at the two day clinic. We headed to Theodore Wirth Par 3 Golf Course after our morning clinic where the caddies worked on what they learned. The winner of the two day tournament was Jeremy and the runner-up was James. Other awards went to our two most improved golfers: Nigel and Dominick. Overall, the event was another huge success for the MMJGA.
We Aren't in Kansas Anymore
James Cannon Jr., a participant in our program who currently caddies at Minikahda Country Club, has recently been selected to attend the Earl Woods Golf Clinic at Kansas State in Manhatten, Kansas. This is a very elite camp and we are very proud that James is attending. The application was fairly long and it was based on academics, golf skills, golf knowledge, and overall personal character. James passed with flying colors and is one of only two youngsters in the entire metro area to be accepted. The camp will be in the last week of July and we wish James the very best of luck in Kansas.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
To everyone who helped us in 1999: Thank you! 1999 was a year of growth for us. With every growing year, come growing pains, but overall it was an extremely successful year for our Association and especially for our Caddie Program. This would not have been possible without your help. Have a great winter and check back often for upcoming events!
Tiger Woods Takes Timeout For Kids
Sunday, July 25, 1999 was arguably the most exciting day of the year, as Tiger Woods came to Minneapolis. Early in the morning, the #1 rated golfer in the world conducted a clinic in which six youngsters from our program participated. Only fifteen additional youngsters from other youth groups and five parents were fortunate enough to attend the morning's exhibition.
That afternoon, Tiger put on a show for a crowd of over 5,000 youngsters and their families at Hiawatha Golf Course in South Minneapolis. The MMJGA was able to invite thirty lucky youngsters to participate in this event. During the exhibition, he proved that the commercial is real; he really can bounce a ball on a clubface like that. In fact, he can do it while talking to an audience.
Tiger gave golf pointers during his two-hour show, teaching us how to hit the ball better and more consistently. Both he and his father, Earl Woods, spoke of commitment and family values.
His appearance was a great thrill, despite temperatures that reached the mid-90s and a heat index of well over 100. And he showed up in black pants!
And if a Tiger Woods clinic wasn't great enough, the Celebrity Auction, which followed that night at Planet Hollywood, was truly star-studded. The MMJGA purchased a table at the fund-raiser for the Tiger Woods Foundation.
Two of the participants from our Caddie Program, James and Nick, were invited as our guests and got to meet and talk with the man himself. Besides Tiger, James and Nick were able to meet Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, Vikings Coach Dennis Green, the Minnesota Twin's Kent Hrbek, and producer/musician Jimmy Jam at the celebrity-filled event.
David Pomije, founder of Second Swing Golf, escorted his family to the gala. They joined Caddie Master Jack Stahlmann, Jay Berine and the two youngsters at the MMJGA table. The evening flew by quickly, and suddenly, it was time for the auction to begin. Bidding was furious.
The event's highlights occurred when David purchased a Tiger Woods putter for $14,000 and an autographed 1997 Masters flag for $22,500 to help the Tiger Woods Foundation. That night, the Foundation raised over $88,000, making it the largest auction held by them in any city.