Field grows in memory of Rychlak; O’Leary back to defend title

The Nemadji Women’s Invitational holds special meaning this year, and it is reflected by the increased turnout for the annual event.

As of Tuesday, 83 women had signed up to participate in the 2012 invitational. Last year’s event had only 69 golfers.

Almost half of the entrants this year will participate in the senior division, now renamed the Nemadji Women’s Golf Club Renna Rychlak Memorial Tournament. Rychlak, who died in July 2011, was a former president of the Nemadji Women’s Golf Club and helped organize the Nemadji Women’s Invitational for many years.

“I know that some of the extra senior golfers got in because of Renna,” said Barb Hoag, tournament organizer.

A new tee box dedicated to Rychlak on the No. 12 hole of the North-South course will be used for the first time today.

Norma O’Leary of Silver Bay and Deb Showalter of Hermantown are expected to lead the field again in the championship flight of the Nemadji Women’s Invitational.

Showalter has won five titles, while O’Leary has won nine, including four of the last five. The last time someone other than O’Leary or Showalter won the Nemadji Women’s Invitational was 2001.

Six other women are also scheduled to golf in this year’s championship flight.

Pat Kelly, of Superior, and Amy Patenaude both call Nemadji their home course. Cassie Berg, a 2010 graduate of Superior High School, golfed in the tournament for the first time last year and returns this year. Hilary Botten, who golfs at Botten’s Green Acres, also returns to the championship flight.

Rounding out the competition are Mandi Salo, of Hermantown, and Tricia Glanville.

In the Nemadji Women’s Golf Club Renna Rychlak Memorial Tournament, 2011 champ Barb Olson returns to defend her title. She’ll have strong competition from Joan Richardson, who has won the senior title eight times and the regular title in 1992.

Other returning winners in the division are Mary Meierotto and Cheryl Mortensen.

A portion of the proceeds from the Nemadji Women’s Invitational goes to support the SHS girls golf team.

Nemadji Women’s Invitational

Tournament Champions

1947—Mrs. Julius Juel, Nemadji, 86

1948—Mrs. Glen St. Julien, Hibbing, 90

1949—Miss Ione Ogren, Ridgeview, 96

1950 — Unavailable

1951—Mrs. R.W. Johnson, Northland, 88

1952—Carol Ink, Lester Park, 90

1953—Miriamm Anderson, Nemadji, 90

1954—Jean Seaquist, Nemadji, 89

1955—Hazel Leland, Nemadji, 85

1956—Mrs. R.W. Johnson, Northland, 90

1957—Hazel Leland, Nemadji, 86

(Minnesota Public Links Tournament)

1958—Carol Marshall, Lester Park, 89

1960—Mrs. Kenneth Berklin, Hibbing, 95

1961—Mrs. Kenneth Berklin, Hibbing, 89

1962—Mrs. Phalin Johnson, Two Harbors

1963—Miss Carol Wilson, Bemidji, 92

1964—Mrs. P.H. Stromquist, Ridgeview, 22

(Score for three holes of rain-shortened tournament)

1965-60 — Unavailable

1970—Pamela Berry, Mpls., 76

(Minnesota Public Links Tournament)

1971—Lynn Ferr Reiff, St. Louis, Mo., 92

1972—Marilyn Magie, Duluth, 80

1973—Katie Bell, Northland, 88

1974—Mrs. James Stuard, Northland, 88

1975—Linda Hanson, Hurley, 95

1976—Peggy Kirsch, Ridgeview, 84

1977—Peggy Kirsch, Ridgeview, 80

1978—Peggy Kirsch, Ridgeview, 79

1979—Peggy Kirsch, Ridgeview, 79

1980—Sara Asta, Northland, 75

1981—Kim Kaiser, Hayward, 86

1982—Kim Kaiser, Hayward, 77

1983—Carol Marshall, Lester Park, 87

1984—Jean Hall, Grand Rapids, 90

1985—Margo Waletzko, Nemadji, 94

1986—Dana Scheff, Cloquet, 83

1987—Jean Gaske, Cook, 85

1988—Sarah Elton, Burnsville, Minn., 79

1989—Debbie Stocke, Enger Park, 82

1990—Deanna Brown, Danbury, 80

1991—Kelly Steen, Luck, 77

1992—Joan Richardson, Grand Rapids, 79

1993—Tricia Wollack, Hermantown, 77

1994—Evelyn Newton, Trout Lake, 78

1995—Norma O’Leary, Silver Bay, 73

1996—Sue Moline-Liberty, 77

1997—Monica Haag, 79

1998—Debbie Stocke

1999—Kelly Steen, 75 (Five-hole playoff with Debbie Stocke)

2000—Norma O’Leary, Silver Bay, 72

2001—Kelly Steen

2002—Norman O’Leary, Silver Bay, 73

2003—Norma O’Leary, Silver Bay, 73

2004—Deb Showalter, 70

2005—Norma O’Leary, Silver Bay, 75

2006—Deb Showalter, 77

2007—Norma O’Leary, Silver Bay, 73

2008—Norma O’Leary, Silver Bay, 76

2009—Deb Showalter, Hermantown, 73

2010—Norma O’Leary, Silver Bay, 74

2011—Norma O’Leary, Silver Bay, 71

Senior division

1996—Pi Peterson, 82

1997—Barb Fetzek

1998—Joan Richardson, Grand Rapids

1999—Joan Richardson, Grand Rapids

2000—Joan Richardson, Grand Rapids

2001—Pi Peterson

2002—Joan Richardson, Grand Rapids, 77

2003—Cindy Raab, 76

2004—Joan Richardson, Grand Rapids, 74

2005—Joan Richardson, Grand Rapids, 78

2006—Joan Richardson, Grand Rapids, 77

2007—Mary Meierotto, Nemadji, 88

2008—Cheryl Mortensen, Turtle Back, 85

2009—Joan Richardson, Grand Rapids, 79

2010—Carol Carlson, Fla., 81

2011—Barb Olson, Duluth, 86

Tags: sports, golf, nemadji, updates