Doctor who? Rhee shoots 82 at Pine

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

What Kee Rhee did on the Pine Golf Course a few weeks ago was not a Hall-of-Fame celebration, but it could have been.

Playing with the popular Sludgehammers group, the graduate of Tufts University, outside Boston, shot his age, a sparkling game of 82.

Rhee started up the ladder of success at Chosen University, in South Korea; then to Kansas University; and finally Tufts, where he earned a doctorate in Gulf oil research development.

Rhee has never shot an 82 before, but he is certainly capable of doing it again.

But the most important part of Rhee’s life, as all are quick to say, is that he is one of the nicest persons on earth. He is quiet on most occasions, very considerate of others, but always available for warm conversations with the golf community. When he and spouse, Sookie, put their heads on the pillow at night, they can do so knowing that Palm Coast considers itself the luckiest city in America to have them.

More heroes
George Bourke added another notch to his career when he aced the 12th hole at the Pine Course.

Playing with the Gillis Group, Bourke hauled a 6-iron out of his bag for a 167-yard shot that became his first hole-in-one after 14 years of golf.

Another hole-in-one hero is Phil Pearson. Pearson dealt with the eighth hole at Grand Haven, and set the cheers afloat with a 103-yarder while using an 8-iron.

Then Judy Ivey came to the forefront with a perfect Mother’s Day gift. She aced the 124-yard 14th hole at Cypress, her second-career ace. Her husband, Bill, also owns two. Now the race is on for household bragging rights.

And let us not forget the popular Mickie Mann, who whacked an eagle on the 15th at Pine. Mann used a 4-iron and then one-putted, while playing with Don Hunt, John Sbordone and Jack Leide.

I wuz thinkin’
Someone in golf finally woke up to the ability of Paul Trettner. This PGA pro served on staff at what was then Pine Lakes. When it was sold to Hampton Golf, he was forced to go here and there — still in golf, but far from his ability.

Today, he is the director of golf at Pelican Bay, in Daytona Beach, and the wheel has finally turned to a deserved direction.

Ty Capps, of Palm Coast, is another golfer turning the corner of success as he fights the struggle of reaching the PGA Tour. Playing the Adams Tour, in Oklahoma, Capps held the lead for three rounds and finished the week in second place. He scored 67-62-70-73 to earn a $7,000 check. He is now sixth on the money list at $12,582.

And finally, but importantly, good morning to you, Jack Tevnan, wherever you are!