Remembering When It All Started
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Remembering When It All Started... By Pat Murphey he never forgot the hospitality that he’d enjoyed during his so- What event first put Georgia Southern sports on a national journ in Sanford Hall. stage? Think tall pines, azaleas, and springtime. Think fair- During the 1968 Masters, a ways, bunkers, and greens. Think of an easy-going man with a chance encounter with one of smooth baritone voice who brought us our first vision of Ar- Statesboro’s leading citizens nold Palmer hiking his pants as he strode down the fairways at resulted in Schenkel becom- Augusta National. There’s hardly a golfer in the Southeast who ing reacquainted with the com- doesn’t know what started it all. The Chris Schenkel E-Z-GO munity that he remembered Collegiate Invitational, which held its inaugural competition so fondly. That year, the late at Forest Heights Country Club in 1971, proudly holds that Charles “Cholly” Robbins and distinction. his family made their annual Today, however, few may realize that Georgia Southern’s Chris Schenkel springtime trip to Augusta Na- pigskin revival of the 1980s was not the first time a “town and tional. When his good friend, Savannahian Leo Beckman, who gown” alliance brought top flight intercollegiate competition to famously called the 18th green at The Masters, spotted Rob- our city. For nearly 100 years, our bins after one of the rounds, civic and university leaders have un- he invited him for a drink and derstood how important they are to introduced him to the legend- one another. Their mutual endeav- ary broadcaster. When Schen- ors have produced a quality of life kel learned that Robbins was unique for a municipality this size, from Statesboro, he surprised whose citizens reap the benefits of him with his knowledge of the exposure to first class art, entertain- city as “the home of Georgia ment, scholarship, and athletics. Teacher’s College and Sweet- It all began with a couple of syn- heart Circle.” chronous events. During World Robbins came home inspired War II, the U.S. Army sent a young with a brainchild that eventu- Indiana lad to a language institute ally would bring his home- at the Georgia Teachers College. town and Georgia Southern During his nine-month sojourn, national recognition. A savvy while he lived in Sanford Hall businessman who recognized overlooking beautiful Sweetheart opportunity’s serendipitous Circle, Chris Schenkel forged a bond with Statesboro that, al- knock, Cholly called his friend Ric Mandes to discuss ways they though dormant for a few years, would last a lifetime. could get Schenkel back to Statesboro. Their first idea was to After the war, Schenkel embarked on what would become name the medalist’s trophy from a high school golf tournament perhaps the most distinguished career in the history of sports held at Forest Heights Country Club after the broadcaster, and, broadcasting, one that included a number of “firsts” and “bests.” in the spring of 1969, Schenkel flew to Statesboro to present He was the first to cover The Masters on television (1956), the the Chris Schenkel Trophy to its inaugural winner, Screven first to anchor a live telecast of the Olympics (Mexico 1968), County’s Pat Lane. He returned the following season to crown and the first to call a nationally broadcast college football game. the competition’s second champion, Statesboro’s Jody Stubbs. In fact, for over two decades, when Chris Schenkel and ABC Then, Georgia Southern president John O. Eidson, Athlet- Television broadcast a school’s home game, it was the same ics Director J.I. Clements, Mandes, Robbins, and community kind of “happening” – at least for that era – as when ESPN’s leaders such as Bo Hook, Hal Averitt, Clem Raith, and Bill Gameday visits a campus today. Schenkel was truly “The Voice Cook, along with many others, saw the potential for bigger of College Football.” By the time he’d finished his lifework, he things, something that might put the school and the city on the had been inducted into sixteen halls of fame and had received national map. an Emmy for Lifetime Achievement. But during all those years, They were right. Once again, Statesboro’s and Georgia South- 31st Annual Schenkel E-Z-GO Invitational ern’s visionary leaders hit one right on the “sweet spot.” From its Forest into the fold. Then, Clements, Robbins, and Don Mc- inception in 1971 until a ten year hiatus that began in 1989, the Dougald flew to the NCAA golf championships and hand de- Schenkel grew to become one of the most prestigious intercol- livered invitations to the 1971 competition. Over the years, the legiate golf events in the country. very best teams in the Southeast, along with a sprinkling of such Having their competition named for a world-class celebrity national powers as Oklahoma State, Ohio State, The University gave it instant credibility, but it was the unique way the organiz- of Southern California, and Northwestern, made the Schenkel ers ran the event that made it an annual stop. Head coaches special. Beginning a tradition from these schools consistent- that continues to this day, they ly ranked the Schenkel among made hospitality as much a the top three NCAA events. part of the tournament as chip In addition to drawing great shots and birdie putts. In fact, programs, the Schenkel has it was as much social affair as been a proving ground for athletic contest – not that the some of the game’s best play- competition wasn’t fierce – ers. Jay Haas, Andy Bean, with an agenda that provided Jerry Pate, Andy North, Bob the golfers with a welcome Tway, Scott Verplank, Curtis break from the “strictly busi- Strange, Mark Calcavecchia ness” atmosphere of big time and Georgia Southern greats college athletics. Jody Mudd, Gene Sauers, From the beginning, a local family hosted each team, a tradi- Mike Donald, and Buddy Alexander are just a few who went on tion that lives. Some clans have entertained the same school for to star on the PGA tour. years and have established relationships that extend far beyond It’s no mystery why the tournament grew in popularity over the the 18th green; for example, Billy and Hilda Rushing with Ohio years. Lured by the chance to participate in one of the NCAA’s State; Wayne and Kristen Akins with Georgia; Walter and Dot- most celebrated events and the fact that the Eagles received re- tie Garvin with South Carolina; and Alan and Debbie Tyson ciprocal invitations to play in other prestigious competitions, with Florida. A typical weekend begins with the host family some of the best junior golfers in the U.S. chose Georgia South- providing a welcome basket or goodies for their team as they ern during the glory years of the Schenkel. Consequently, the check-in to the hotel. Then formal festivities open with a BBQ Eagles developed a top-level program. on Thursday night for patrons and coaches, and a banquet on But, suddenly, in 1989, a scheduling conflict with the ACC Friday night that every team attends. Tournament forced it to shut down, a misfortune that almost But, what is Southern hospitality without Southern belles? destroyed the Georgia Southern program in the process. With Among the players favorite Schenkel amenities are the Phi Mu the demise of the tournament, recruiting and funding pipelines sisters who help host the event. The sorority assigns a hostess to dried up. GSU golf spent the next decade on life support. each team. They add an extra sweet touch to the golfers’ weekend That situation lasted until 1999, when, once again the com- by baking cookies or cakes for them and then cheering them on munity and the school came together to resurrect a great local during play. Like all athletes, golfers enjoy performing in front of tradition. Mike Perpich called Ric Mandes, and together they ar- appreciative spectators, especially those who enhance an already ranged to meet with Robbins and Phil Morris. This group, along beautiful environment. with businessman Billy Griffis, GSU Athletic Director Sam Often these relationships don’t end when the last putt drops Baker, and a host of other civic leaders joined forces to restart into the cup. Like the family hosts, many a Phi Mu has formed the Schenkel. a lasting friendship with the players they’ve hosted, keeping up Crucial to their efforts was securing a sponsor. With such pres- with one another through birthday and Christmas cards, wed- tige on the line, Augusta’s E-Z-GO golf cart company stepped in ding announcements, and tidings of new births. to add its name and financial support. So, on March 27-28, 1999, But the ingredient most vital to the Schenkel’s success is the one of Statesboro’s, Bulloch County’s, and Georgia Southern’s level of competition. With Chris Schenkel’s name and endorse- proudest traditions teed off on a course that had only gotten ment, the tournament began drawing championship caliber better during the hiatus. Forest Heights general Manager Stacy teams to Statesboro from the outset. A call to then Florida coach Webb had overseen a 1993 Bob Cupp redesign of the course that Buster Bishop secured a commitment from the Gators and an- had made its undulating fairways and greens even more beautiful other to his friend Arnold Palmer helped convince Coach Jes- and challenging. sie Haddock to bring traditional collegiate golfing power Wake It was as if the Schenkel had never gone away. Ten years had 31st Annual Schenkel E-Z-GO Invitational not been enough to make coaches – many of whom had played here as undergraduates – and athletic directors forget what a fine LEGENDS OF THE tournament it had been.