Roskos, Dolci, McMillen and Meyer entertain crowd at Greenville Business and Industry Day

August 04, 2008 07:57 pm

— By Lynn Saternow
Herald Sports Editor

GREENVILLE — Denny Dolci came away the big winner in the “Skins Game” at the Greenville Business and Industry Day Monday, but the other winners were the local business agencies that receive a boost from the annual fundraiser.
Dolci, head pro at Oak Tree Country Club, two-putted for birdie from 15 feet to clinch a cool $1,600 skin and a total of $1,800 in the event, sponsored by Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce and Greenville Area Economic Development Corporation.
Long-ball crusher Tom Roskos came away with $300, while host pro Danny McMillen of The Greens of Greenville and former Greenville Country Club pro Bob Meyer, head pro at Valley Brook Country Club, were shut out.
“It’s a great event,” said Dolci, before also winning a kiss from wife Michelle near the 18th green. “We’re very appreciative that they allow local pros to participate. It was especially nice to play with my long-time best-ball partner Bob Meyer (in Tri-State Section PGA events). For 20-plus years we’ve been playing together.”
Meyer admitted it was nice to return to where he was a former club pro and played in five B&I Day events from 1978-82. While the format has changed since he last played and PGA pro Bob Rosburg was the guest professional, the excitement is still the same for people who enjoy watching good golf.
The event which started in 1950 is believed to be the longest running exhibition of its kind in the United States. While it no longer attracts 900 people, it still exists on a smaller scale. For the last few years it was a combined effort of the Chamber and GAEDC.
“It’s really worked well,” said Jeanne Endicott, co-chair of the event with Jeff Wallace. “While business and industry has declined, this combined effort has been beneficial to everyone. We’re really looking forward to our 60th, and we plan to do it up big. It’s wonderful the way new owner Howard Weyers is so enthusiastic about events like this.”
The Weyers brothers, Howard and Bob, bought the country club a little over a year ago and refurbished the clubhouse while establishing the course as public. They also opened a public restaurant, The Gallery Grille, in the clubhouse.
Roskos, ranked 6th in the world amongst long-drive pros, put on one of his thrilling clinics, doing trick shots besides smashing 400-yard bombs. He also hit some amazing shots during the skins game, almost scoring an ace on the 246-yard par-3 No. 12, where he made a birdie for a $300 skin after hitting the hole on his tee shot.
“This is a lot of fun,” said Roskos, assistant pro at Oak Tree. “It’s really nice to play with great golfers like these guys.”
McMillen, who has played in 21 B&I Day exhibitions — 18 as a pro and 3 as an amateur — said he always enjoys the event, but he laughed when talking about keeping up with Roskos off the tee.
“You try not to watch him, but you can’t help it,” said McMillen. “He’s so exciting to watch.”
Meyer, who still holds the Greenville course record of 63 he set in 1981, is currently the president of the Tri-State PGA, which boasts some of the top club pros in the country.
“We have about 300 members and apprentices,” he said. “We have a great section. We are the 29th largest out of 41 in the country, but we play for the 3rd-most money. That tells you a lot about our great sponsors.”
And B&I Day also has some great sponsors that help keep the event running.
Note:The day’s morning scramble included 29 teams and was won by Bob Faber, Todd Hedderick, Eric Stoyer and Chad McCombs on a scorecard playoff after they tied for low score of 61.

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