Schwartz Family Golf Tournament
History of the Schwartz Family Golf Tournament
The founders decided the tournament would be played for just nine holes to encourage all levels of play, and of course in those beginning days there were no gas or electric golf carts to encourage faster play. Some of the better golfers though did have caddies whose pictures are included in early photos.
The beginning of each tournament starts when a very loud canon is fired to begin the play. Local residents know the course is closed every Labor Day morning for the SFGT and 2012 will be no exception. Rain (as it often has) or shine, the family plays golf.
In the early years there was only one trophy, a beautiful sterling silver handicap cup that the winner would take home and have engraved with his or her name (yes women were allowed to play from the beginning) and return the next year for the next winner. Now this cup sits on two pedestals to allow for 80 years of names, but it no longer goes home with the winner. One family member has made a large trophy case and does all the engraving so newer names look more consistent in their fonts. Over the years a number of other trophies have been added like closest to the pin on the ninth hole, longest drive, men’s low gross, and ladies’ low gross.
Early years included one steadfast rule that players must be at least 14 years old to play in the tournament. As the years passed children under the age of 14 somehow crept onto the scene. At first they were allowed to caddy and finally to play if they could make it around without throwing fits. Good golf manners had to be learned and obeyed as the children were matched with better golf playing adults. Now there is even a Junior Golf Trophy for kids under the age of 16. It is a much-coveted award that teaches young people to compete and learn about the jitters of playing in a golf tournament.
Part of the fun for this family weekend includes a dinner the night before Labor Day when the kids sell “tickets” for competing players. Head of the family these days is Arthur Schwartz, grandson of H.L. Schwartz, who MCs the occasion. Little kids draw the name of a player and a ticket. The ticket holder can win money if the player wins the original handicap family cup.
In recent years as the number of people and family friends continues to expand, there is a new aspect of the family tournament celebrating yet another generation. Ever since we started allowing juniors to play, young married adults with kids started bringing all children to the tournament and the really young ones play in the “Wee Tournament.” Moms, dads, and grandparents help the little ones hit balls from 50 yards out onto the ninth green. Any child who can hold a club and connect with the ball is eligible. These children now make up the 5th generation of golfers in the family and they seem to realize that golf is not just a serious competition but also a way to keep the family together on a regular basis. That is what the founders encouraged and that is what has happened to this lucky family who come together each Labor Day to reacquaint themselves with their cousins and, oh yes, to play golf.
Here are two documents on the history of the tournament and the family. The first is biographical information on Peter Schwartz. The second document is the history of the tournament.