The Jemsek Empire Grew from a Demshuk Dream
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The Jemsek empire grew from a Demshuk dream By Vem Pu tney sented by the National Golf Founda- rived in America in 1909, and lerft to right and, of course, killed In 1980, Jemsek was elected to tion. Theodosia, who followed him in distance. the inaugural Illinois PGA Hall of n the fall of 1941, 28-year- This hon- 1911 with daughter Mary, age 2. "So I stood on the left side of the Fame, and received the Chicago old Chicagoan Joe Jemsek or, capping a Joe would hop a freight train to platform and hit high fades. The District Golf Association's inaugu- was working in a defense whirlwind 12 caddie at Larmie, Acadia, then wind did the rest — an average of ral Distinguished Service Award. Iplant along with "other" jobs months of in- Polaos golf courses. When about 501 yards each." Also in 1991, Jemsek was named as owner-operator-head profes- dividual and 12, he hitchhiked to the new Cog Jemsek quickly capitalized onhis Professional Golfer of the Year by sional at West Chicago's St. family-con- Hill course in Lemont, owned by John Daly-like drives. His lesson the PGA of America: Illinois PGA Andrews Golf Club. nected lau- Coghill brothers Bert, Jack and rates shot up from $2 a half-hour or Pro of the Year; was elected to the These two 18-hole courses and Marty. six 30-minute sessions for $10, to $5 Chicago Sports Hall of Fame; was clubhouse were thriving. Jemsek, [dbute^to JoeJemsek In sixyears, Jemsekrose through a half hour and six lessons for the listed among the most powerful 36 to whom a dime was a big deal families who have made substantial the ranks from caddie to assistant full $30. This was in a day when a $5 persons in golf by Golf Digest during the Depression, had taken contributions to the game and ex- professional to head professional in minimum daily wage was inaugu- magazine; and won that as his bride a year earlier Grace emplify the ideals of golf and family. 1932. In 1951, he paid $400,000 for rated. publication's Junior Golf Award for Hough, and had socked away It also focuses on the role of fami- the two 18-hole courses and club- Golfers stood in line to learn his the Junior Golf Development Pro- $22,000. lies in introducing new players to house, added a third 18-hole course power secret. Overnight, he was gram co-sponsored by his courses What more could a couple ask? the game. NGF research indicates in 1963 and Dubsdread (Number famous. and the Lamont Park District Joe suddenly dropped a bomb- that more than 80 percent of all Four) in 1964. For more than 40 years, Jemsek Dubsdread hosted the 1991 shell on Grace. 'There's going to be golfers are introduced to the game As a visionary, Jemsek had a far- has been identified with charitable Centel Western Open to benefit the a war," he declared. "Golf balls now by family or friends. seeing eye into the golf future. He causes linked to golf. In 1952, he Evans Scholarship Foundation for being passed out like peanuts soon The Jemsek family empire, also had a promotional flair to ac- staged the first National Golf Day at caddies, and was listed 78th among will be as scarce as hens' teeth. I known as Jemsek Golf, embraces company a shrewd business sense. Cog Hill GC, drawing 10,000 spec- America's best public courses. have a chance to invest our nest egg eight Chicago-area public golf "In 1934, during the World's Fair tators. Featuring Bob Hope, Dean Jemsek still relishes the daring in an unbelievable number of balls." courses, and has been supported by in Chicago, a platform had been Martin and Jerry Lewis, it became of his $22,500 plunge into the ball "You do and there will be a di- every family member. built 630 feet up a tower nearest the an annual fund-raising arm of the business that provided his bigboost vorce," Grace retorted. Joe did and "If it wasn't for my family and lake to stage a long-driving con- PGA of America. He recalls famed woman golfer she didn't, remaining a loving part- help, I'd be nothing," Jemsek said test," Jemsek recalls. "It was sway- In 1977, Jemsek received the Patty Berg bursting into tears when ner until her death in 1984. after the award presentation. He ing, it was very windy, and I had a NGF's inaugural Herb Graffis presented a dozen precious balls World War II came a month later. cited his family members and Gen- devil of a toothache. I was the last Award. upon joining the Jemsek golf staff The balls were put to good use as eral Managers Ron Skubis at St. contestant, following some slugging He's especially proud of being a as a teacher. added playing round inducements. Andrews, Nick Mokelke at Cog Hill Scotsmen who were in the U.S. to Class A member of the National The female star in Jemsek's golf Jemsek was on his way to prosper- and Ted Soklos at Pine Meadow. work. Their specialty was a slight PGA and, in 1988, being the first and family galaxy remains Grace. ity, eventualrecognitionas "Mr. Public The "Jemsek Journey" into golf hook for extra distance on hard, dry PGAmemberandfirstpubliccourse "Thanks be she suffered my seem- Golf' in the Chicago area and, Jan. 26 began about 70 years ago. Joe was courses at home. They hit their owner to be elected to the United ing foolishness in that golf ball here, received withhisfamily the 1991 the son of Russian Ukraine emi- three allotted balls into the teeth of States Golf Association's Executive plunge, and made 44 years of mar- Jack Nicklaus Family Golf Award pre- grant Gregory Demchuk, who ar- the wind which was blowing from Committee. riage wonderful," said Joe. USGA presents Bob Jones Award for sportsmanship to Gene Sarazen PALM BEACH, Fla. — Gene isthehighesthonorgivenbytheUSGA on March 17. Sarazen became a professional always liked to watch Sarazen play. Sarazen was presented the United It has been presented annually since They won while Jones remained an amateur. He walked in Sarazen's gallery dur- States Golf Association's 1992 Bob 1955 in commemoration of Jones' vast their first Op- Sarazendidn'twinanotherOpenwhile ing the 1932 Open, when he played Jones Award for distinguished contributions to the cause of fair play en Champion- Jones was active, but he won the 1932 the last 28 holes in 100 strokes. sportsmanship in golf. both duringandafterhisdistinguished ships within a championship as well as the 1932 Writing about Sarazen's play later, Sarazen accepted the award Feb. 1, playing career. year of one British Open after Jones had retired, Jones said, "When he is in the right shortly before his 90th birthday, at a The two men were contemporaries, another—Sa- following the 1930 season. mood, he is probably the greatest dinner here, following the USGA an- born within three weeks of one another razen, in 1922, Further emphasizing the close scorer in the game, possibly that nual meeting. The Bob Jones Award earlyinl902,SarazenonFeb.27,Jones Jones in 1923. Gene Sarazen ties between the two men, Jones the game has ever known." Past winners Winners of the Bob Jones Award for distinguished sportsmanship in golf: It seems the world of golf course maintenance equipment is full 1959 Findlay S. Douglas of compromises. If you want to save a few bucks on a mower, you 1960 Charles Evans Jr. take your chances on the quality of its cut. But if you want a more 1961 Joseph B. Carr 1962 Horton Smith reliable cutter, you pay top dollar. 1963 Patty Berg Unless you choose a Bunton mower. 1964 Charles R Coe 1965 Glenna Collett Vare Bunton's wide range of golf course reel mowers delivers true, 1966 Gary Player consistent cuts on greens, aprons, approaches and fairways. Every 1967 Richard S. Tufts 1968 Robert R Dickson mower is backed by a one-year limited warranty on parts and 1969 Gerald H. 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