Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Denny Hepler's playing career is not exactly on hold. It is more like on the backburner.
Hepler, who recently became part-owner of the new Raccoon Run Golf Course (formerly Stonehenge Executive), is still playing 20-25 tournaments a year, including the major IGA-PGA events around the state.
On Monday and Tuesday, Hepler got the chance to do a little of both playing in the 1998 Club Professional Championship at Stonehenge, right across Pierceton Road. After admittedly not playing well the past two weeks, Hepler did what he had to in finishing second to hot-shooting Todd Smith with a 137 total. Smith finished at 133.
"Other than a couple of six-, eight-footers that I left out there, I am real happy," Hepler said. "The last two weeks, I haven't been playing that great. I missed the State Open cut for the first time ever."
Not only is Hepler now running a 9-hole golf course, he is overseeing the construction of a second nine holes and sometimes will get on a tractor himself to do what is needed.
"I have been trying to do a lot of things all at once this year," Hepler said. "I will take what I can get. It is different because I am not putting a lot of high priority on my play. I know I am going to be real busy building that golf course the next two years."
Hepler was just a stroke behind first-round leader Cary Hungate when the second and final round got under way Tuesday. But Smith, who was tied with Hepler after the first round, blistered Stonehenge in the early going with an eagle on No. 6 and two birdies on the next three holes.
Hepler one-putted his first five holes, but after that he put his ball into the water on No. 6 and never really challenged.
"I didn't think it was going into the water, but it did," Hepler said.
Smith ended up with a 65 on the day, while Hepler got a 69.
"I had it close on three or four of the first five holes, hit good putts, but I couldn't get one to go in the hole," Smith said. "It was nice to get two-under that quick. The greens were so good, you stood over a putt and felt you can make it. You make one and one thing leads to another."
The top-10 finishers, including Hepler and Sycamore's Quinn Griffing, advance to the regional CPC in Hastings, Neb. in September.
"I am still competing, but I am trying not to put much emphasis on how well I am playing," Hepler said. "I know I am not giving myself the best chance of winning right now, but I am building a golf course, and that is a dream of a lifetime. It is not all living and dying over a three-foot putt."
Top-10 finishers
1. Todd Smith (Rock Hollow GC) 68-65, 133; 2. (tie) Denny Hepler (Raccoon Run GC) 68-69, 137; Cary Hungate (Kokomo CC) 67-70, 137; 4. Dave Fleming (Swan Lake GR) 72-66, 138; 5. Quinn Griffing (Sycamore GC) 70-69, 139; 6. David Hannon (Sand Creek CC) 72-68, 140; 7. Jim Ferriell (Crooked Stick GC) 71-70, 141; 8. John Andrews (Saddlebrook GC) 69-72, 141; 9. Jeff Huffman (Cobblestone GC) 71-71, 142; 10. David Carich (Bear Slide GC) 70-72, 142
Others - 11. Dave Schumaker (Stonehenge CC) 69-73, 142; 18. Todd Sandow (Sycamore GC) 72-73, 145
Warrior Open Growing
The fourth annual Warrior Open had a record 55 teams Monday, almost 20 more than last year. The event is held as a fund-raiser for the Wawasee High School athletic department.
The following won awards.
Men's Division - 1. Mike Berning, Jay Auer, Mark DeWitt, Kevin Parker; 2. Steve Solina, Rod Solina, Jeff Chandler, John Becker
Women's Division - 1. Sally Biddinger, Tammy Kratzer, Joan Pasko, Kathy Pearson
Closest to the hole - Steve Coverstone, Dennis Morris, Terry Skaggs
Ladies' Long Drive - Becky Fox
Seniors' Long Drive - Steve Dodds
Men's Long Drive - John Becker
Long putt - Steve Campbell
Putting contest - Steve Swope
Youth Golf News
All Sport Junior Masters
Boys Division - 20. Justin Howell (Warsaw) 38-40, 78
At Greenhurst CC
Boys 17-19 - 8. Scott White (Pierceton) 39-40, 79
Boys 15-16 - 8. Rob Wright (Pierceton) 41-38, 79; 11. Kyle Lundy (Leesburg) 41-39, 80
Mountain Dew Junior Tour
Boys 17-19 - 4. Jonathon Nixon (South Whitley) 38-40, 78
Boys 15-16 - 32. Edd Campbell (Warsaw) 44-46, 90
