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9 holes a week for 36 years and countingBy John Behling Veryln Mohr, 65, John Mason, 64, Richard Hanson, 64 and Harland Huenecke, 84, won the city championship one time in their nearly four decades of league play, although no one cares to remember which year. For the four retirees, itís all about having fun. In 1967, Mohr, Huenecke, Mason and Gordon Nyquist formed the team. Hanson, a long time friend of Mohr and former employee of Huenecke began subbing for Nyquist when Nyquist became too busy at work. Eventually, Hanson became a permanent member of the team. Nyquist passed away in 1974. The ties between teammates go all the way back to when they were children. Hanson and Mohr were childhood friends. ìWe were confirmed in the same class; we played softball together; we were in boy scouts together,î Hanson said. Huenecke, their senior by 20 years used to baby-sit for Hanson and Mohr, and in turn Hansonís family baby-sat for Hueneckeís. ìOur families were very close,î Hanson said. Mohr went on to marry Hueneckeís daughter, Anita. Mohr and Hanson even worked for Huenecke, a homebuilder. Mason, Mohr and Hanson also bowled together on a league team for over 20 years. Theyíve recently given it up, with Mason and Mohr choosing to spend their winters in Texas. Mason plays the most golf of the group, boasting a membership at North Branch and Brookside Golf Course in Rush City. On the Wednesday this reporter met up with the team, he had already played a few rounds prior to league play. ìI parred 5 already today,î Mason said as the team met up on July 23. ìBut none of that counts before league.î Over the years, the four have seen their share of strange shots, including holes-in-one by Hanson and Huenecke. ìIt was one of the worst rounds Iíve ever played,î Hanson said about his hole-in-one on old number 9. ìWhen I saw it go over the trees I thought, ëGood, at least I wonít have to dig it out of those trees,í then someone on the other side said it went in. I didnít even see it.î Hanson was once struck in the upper arm by a stray ball at the same hole. ìI wouldíve gotten out of the way, but I was leaning against a garbage can.î Hanson said. ìIt was hard to play out that round,î Hanson said adding that although he finished the round, it ëballoonedí his score considerably. Huenecke doesnít remember anything special about his lucky hole-in-one and neither does Mason, who had one in Rush City last month. ìI play so much golf...î Mason said down playing the significance of one lucky shot. While this reporter rode with Mohr and Huenecke, Mohr recounted when he nearly hit a ball out-of-bounds and then hit it in the hole on the next shot. Later, riding with the other half of the team, Hanson made a remark that seemed to sum up Mohrís story. ìThe thing about golf is that you donít always have to be right on,î sometimes all you need is one good shot to get back in it,î Hanson said. The obvious question to ask these men is what keeps them going every week. ìOnce in a while you get a good shot. Itís just enough to keep you coming back,î Mohr, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer, said. Huenecke and Mohr have each had hip surgery and avoid walking the course whenever they can. ìJust to have a few good strokes is enough at my age,î Hanson said. He admits that with the amount of time he spends practicing, he doesnít expect to be very good. ìAnother good thing about golf is seeing other people hit good shots,î Hanson said. Although it appeared to be business as usual for the Harris team, the evening was not without its surprises. Somewhere in the middle of the round, Mohr squared up and began to swing. ìForeî rang out, followed in seconds by a thud against Mohr and Hueneckeís cart. It was enough to shatter everyoneís concentration. But, remarkably, Mohr was able to stop mid-swing. ìThatís the first time Iíve ever been able to do that,î Mohr said. As the evening concluded there was no question that theyíd been treated to one of the best rounds of weather this summer. ìItís been about as perfect a night for golf that you can ask for,î Hanson said. After scores were recorded and the team said goodbye to their opponents, Harris moved on to the last round of their weekly ritualñdrinks at the American Legion to discuss what they did and didnít do on the course that night. ©ECM Post Review |