MSU President's Column for Traill County Tribune

June 22, 2019

See photos below.

The “Classic” weekend is fabulous in many ways!

It was my pleasure to take part in the annual Mayville State University Golf Classic events held at Forest Hills Golf and RV Resort in Detroit Lakes, Minn. last weekend. As is tradition, the weekend included two golfing opportunities for all, a scramble held on Friday and organized by the Comet Athletic Club, and the medal play tournament which was held on Saturday.

The medal play Mayville State Golf Classic has been of great benefit to Mayville State University over the years, as thousands of scholarship dollars, academic and athletic, have been donated to students pursuing their educational goals at Mayville State. In addition, the tournament has served as a place where Mayville State alumni and friends can meet and renew acquaintances. Year after year, people from near and far get together at the “Classic.”

During the Friday scramble, I was stationed on hole #9, where I had the opportunity to not only personally meet everyone who played in the tournament, but also to raise some additional funds for Comet Athletics. I offered a game where players could have me putt for them or move their ball to half the distance between where their ball landed to the cup. I am happy that I was able to make some putts for the golfers and help them save strokes.

I had a blast meeting a bunch of Mayville State alumni and supporters, while enjoying the game of golf. Golfer Larry Tunseth came from Kenai, Alaska. Larry, who has golfed in many, if not all of the “Classic” tournaments, was able to spend the weekend golfing with his brother Darryl who lives in Grand Forks, N.D., and Darryl’s son Grant. It was great to see people reconnecting with each other and to hear about their Mayville State experiences. The Friday event wrapped up with a meal and the awarding of prizes.

Proceeds of the Friday scramble will go to the Comet Athletic Club for the support of Mayville State student-athletes. Thank you to CAC president Mike Carr and other board members, as well as Mark Kloster and Broc Lietz, who organized and coordinated the event.

Friday evening, I joined in celebrating the day with 30-plus Mayville State alumni and friends at the Hotel Shoreham near Detroit Lakes. There was an abundance of fun to be had, along with the sharing of stories and words of appreciation for the difference Mayville State University has made for so many. It was a very heartwarming experience.

The 44th annual MSU Golf Classic began at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 15 at Forest Hills. The “Classic” is the oldest medal play university golf tournament in the world. Mayville State graduate Gene Gaffney served as the tournament manager again this year. He has been involved with the MSU Golf Classic since its inception in 1976. Among those who assisted this year were alumni Denny Hopman, Del Hultgren, Jim Hedstrom and Chris Lindberg. These gentlemen have been involved for years, some more than others.

We at Mayville State are truly grateful to all who have organized, worked, and helped to make this important activity happen each year. We are equally grateful to the many Mayville State alumni and friends who spend the “Classic” weekend in Detroit Lakes golfing and participating in the fun and festivities.

I can say from my personal experience that the “Classic” weekend is not only an enjoyable experience, it results in great benefits for the students of Mayville State University. I encourage all Mayville State University alumni and friends to mark their calendars for the second weekend in June and plan to participate in the future. You’ll be glad you did!

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