If there’s one thing that distinguishes the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am from all other tournaments in Minnesota, it would be tradition. And after 38 years of Tapemark tournaments, no one knows this better than the staff at Southview Country Club. Mark McCahey, the current general manager at Southview, got his first job at the club in 1970, when then-pro Corky Dahl hired him in the bagroom. When the Peters Open called it quits, It was Dahl who offered the open tournament weekend to Bob Klas Sr., as he knew Klas had been thinking of creating an event to benefit people with disabilities. “I caddied in the Peters Open, and when that went under, I caddied in the Tapemark for Terry Hogan of Town & Country “ said McCahey. His memories of the early Tapemarks are vivid and colorful. “It was a huge event back then for local golf, the crowds were amazing. We’d have people come for the weekend and park their motor homes behind the grounds crew building. Bobby Allison, Johnny Blanchard, they would all stay and play.”

McCahey said the crowds may be a little smaller these days, but in his eyes, the tournament is just as popular and important as ever. And he has noticed one significant difference that he likes. “The focus on the charities is so much more prevalent than it ever was in the past, and I’m pleased to see that.” He knows firsthand how integral his club has been in the tournament’s success in raising money for charity. Southview donates the use of the course for all three days of the Tapemark, and another day in the fall for the Tapemark Women’s Event. This contribution easily runs into six figures, and is a major reason for the success of the Tapemark.

Phil Anderson, Head Professional at Southview, has a similarly long connection with the traditions of the Tapemark. At the age of 10, Anderson caddied for Steve Garske in the Tapemark. “When I was a kid it was one of the first golf events I got taken to,” remembered Anderson. He credits the Tapemark as one of the reasons he ended up with a career in the golf profession. His other big influence? “I spent two weeks every summer working for my uncle Frank Taylor at Eastwood Golf Club in Rochester. He played in several Tapemarks too.” Anderson spent several years at North Oaks as a caddy, caddy master, and in the Pro Shop. He was the Assistant Pro at Southview under Ray Vennewitz Jr, getting the head pro position in 2008 when Vennewitz left for North Oaks.

While the Tapemark weekend presents many challenges for Anderson, he’s thrilled to be a part of the tradition he calls “amazing”, and he’s had some great memories in his recent years at Southview. He played in 2007 as a pro, and related how special it was to compete in front of the Southview membership. But his two favorite experiences happened last year, when his brother Tommy’s team won the Tapemark team championship in Tommy’s first year playing in the Tapemark, and his assistant pro Pete LaCoursiere led after Friday’s first round with a 65 in his initial Tapemark competition. “That was so great, it takes a certain magic to have that all happen in the first year,” said Anderson.

Anderson thinks the Tapemark has a unique place in Minnesota professional golf. “It’s a premiere event for the pros. There are live leaderboards just like the Majors, there are crowds. It’s not easy for pros to get in, we have a qualifying event every year, so it’s important to the guys to get in each year. And it’s for a great cause, a lot of our other Pro-Ams don’t have that focus.”

Jeramie Gossman may be newer to the Tapemark, but the tradition isn’t lost on him. He’s been the Grounds Superintendent at Southview CC since 2006 and he knows what a great opportunity the event is to showcase his golf course. “We sort of put our personal lives on hold for the Tapemark week. My crew really rises to the occasion,” said Gossman. They go to work all evening on Thursday after the course is closed, and again early on Friday morning before the first shots are hit. As soon as play clears holes on Friday and Saturday, they’re on the tees, greens, and fairways again preparing for the following day’s play.

But one thing he appreciates about the Tapemark is that it gets the course in prime condition for the rest of the season. “We really scramble to make the course look its very best, with the outside pros, media, and fans coming in.” And he thinks this is great for his membership, as the course is then set in prime condition for the rest of
the season.

Gossman succeeded Roger Kisch, who had worked every Tapemark, as Grounds Superintendent. But Gossman (and his trusty sidekick, the black lab Remington) has quickly made his own mark on Southview. This year’s tournament will see a few major changes, most notably the island green of the 15th hole. Trees and brush have been removed from the island, giving the golfer a clearer view of the water surrounding the island and making the signature hole even that much more dramatic.

The changes at Hole 15 seem emblemaic of the relationship between Southview Country Club and the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am. Long traditions, great memories, and yet new people creating new traditions.