Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
According to the gossip at the clubhouse, if the ball strikes the new crossing just right, Tuffy's Bridge has already provided several golfers with a good carry halfway up the hill to the ninth green.
A stone bridge has been installed over the creek approaching the Rozella Ford Clubhouse in memory of the late Cyril "Tuffy" and the late Jane Rathbun. Both were longtime members of and players on the course. The couple also lived off the third fairway for 25 years.
"Mom bought the lot because she said dad would be playing golf there all the time," said Jerry Rathbun, of his mother's decision to build a house along Zimmer Road. He and members of the Rathbun family dedicated the new bridge Saturday.
"We thought about buying a tree in their memory," he said. "But it doesn't look like they need trees and golfers don't like trees anyway. I suggested a shelter, but my wife said when I played it never rained on the golf course. We asked the board what they needed and they said they needed bridges to replace the old, wood, plank bridges."
Tuffy, who lobbied for the senior, white tees, played golf at least three times a week until summer 2002. He died Sept. 6, 2004, at age 87. Jane played as well and was the first president of the Rozella Ford Ladies Golf Association. She died May 18, 1997, at age 78.
The couple met on a golf course, too. Tuffy was a caddy for nine years, beginning in 1926, at Tippecanoe Golf Club. Jane worked as a waitress in the dining room. They married Feb. 17, 1937. In addition to Jerry, who lives in Fort Wayne, the Rathbuns have a daughter, Suzanne, who lives in Glendale, Ariz. Tuffy worked for Dalton Foundaries for 46 years. Jane was a cook at West Wayne School, now Washington Elementary School.
According to Jack Sumpter, a member of the Lakeland Golfers' Association board, which owns the course, bridge replacements would come in handy further back on nine and on holes seven and eight, too.
