Still Shooting His Age - A Golfer Looks at 80

FAIRWAYS

BY BONNIE SPIELMAN

Still Shooting His Age A Golfer Looks at 80

t was 1945 in Baileys Harbor. “I was 14 years old, and my father told me I had to get a job – either picking cherries or caddying,” recalls Sturgeon Bay resident, Bill Boettcher. “I chose caddying.”

Door County Living - Late Summer 2011

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FAIRWAYS And so began Boettcher’s lifelong love affair with the game of golf. In his prime, he was a scratch golfer. Currently holding a 9 handicap, he maintains a startling 15-year streak that few golfers his age can claim: at 80, he has shot his age every year since he was 65 years old.

Boettcher laughs, “People keep telling me, ‘it should get easier to shoot your age the older you get.’ I always say – wait ‘til you try it. At 80, nothing gets easier.”

Now retired from a successful career as an auto dealer, Boettcher may be shooting his age, but definitely does not look it. He is a rather imposing figure – tall, distinguished, and a sharp dresser. He is stoic, articulate, and carries a presence that commands respect.

A lifetime of golf accolades all began with Boettcher’s first summer job as a caddy. In those days, Maxwelton Braes was considered an elite golf course, where some of the Midwest’s wealthiest would resort.

Power carts did not exist, so caddies were the norm. So much so, that when Boettcher began his first summer job, he In 1947, at age 16, Bill Boettcher narrowly beat a 50-year-old competitor to win this trophy in the Resorters’ Tournament; it is one of the few he has kept.

was one of 27 regular caddies, pocketing a respectable $5 in tips per 9-hole loop.

Art Saunders, the head pro at the time, took a liking to Boettcher. In exchange for shagging balls after work, Saunders would give Boettcher free golf lessons. After two summers working, practicing and playing, Saunders encouraged Boettcher to compete in the popular Resorters’ Match Play Tournament at Peninsula State Park Golf Course.

At 16, Boettcher competed in his first tournament, and edged out a 50-year-old in the final round to win the C flight. It was the beginning of many victories to come, but none as sweet as that first one.

“That was my most meaningful win,” remarks Boettcher. “There was a lot of sentimental value – because Art Saunders taught me how to play and encouraged me to sign up.” Of all the awards that he has won over the years, the tiny but sturdy Resorters’ trophy is one of the few that he has kept.

“People keep telling me, ‘it should get easier to shoot your age the older you get.’ I always say – wait ‘til you try it. At 80, nothing gets easier.”

~ Bill Boettcher

Over the decades, Boettcher’s name has been etched upon many trophies from state and local tournaments. He secured championship wins at Maxwelton Braes, Alpine, Lost Creek (now Idlewild), and Lucerne. “Now I live on the 7th hole,” laughs Boettcher, referring to his home on what used to be Lucerne, a small 9-hole course at Leathem Smith in Sturgeon Bay. Boettcher is the four-time club champion at Horseshoe Bay (remarkably, all of the wins occurred in his 70s.) He also won the club championship at both Maxwelton Braes and Alpine.

He tasted victories in the now defunct Door/Kewaunee Championships, both at Idlewild and Northbook. He won the State Senior Tournament in both the 65-69 division and the 70 and over division.

“I don’t think too much about winning,” reflects Boettcher. “I only think

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Door County Living Late Summer 2011

FAIRWAYS station called Boettcher’s Garage. The structure stands today and is the white, block storage building owned by Nelson’s Hardware in downtown Baileys Harbor.

His father later purchased a Ford franchise, and sold new cars from that location, and in 1954 Boettcher took over the family business from his father. Boettcher proved to be a savvy businessman, eventually owning and operating one of the most successful car dealerships in the state, known then as Boettcher Nelson, and later as Boettcher Automotive in Sturgeon Bay. Throughout his career, he was active in the Sturgeon Bay community and, along with his late wife Eunice, he raised two children, Bob and Kelly.

Boettcher, far left, with the 2011 Sturgeon Bay High School golf team.

about playing well. Sometimes winning has been the result.”

Boettcher humbly tips his hat to longtime friends and great competitors Johnny Brann and Bill Meiler, who over the years have both forced him to play better.

Brann dominated the Resorters’ for years, while Meiler and Boettcher swapped first and second finishes in many tournaments around the county.

In the world of golf, there is not much that Boettcher has yet to accomplish – except, perhaps, one thing. Out of the hundreds, maybe thousands of rounds of golf he’s played, he amazingly has yet to record a hole-in-one. He has captured the even more rare double-eagle an astounding three times, but not a single ace. “No luck, I guess,” he shrugs.

Boettcher has an obvious natural athletic ability, and perhaps would have excelled at any sport he chose to dedicate his time to. His aptitude along with his confidence and mental toughness make Door County Living Late Summer 2011

an exceptional combination. “I have good habits for concentration,” he explains.

“Negative thinking and nerves destroy a golf game.”

Growing up in Door County, golf was not offered in high school. After graduating from Gibraltar, Boettcher excelled on the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse golf team, and graduated with a degree in Physical Education.

Upon graduation from college, the Korean War was in full swing and Boettcher went overseas to serve two years as a Sergeant Major. While in Korea, his 25-yearold brother Robert (his only sibling) tragically died in a car accident atop the hill by the entrance to Peninsula golf course.

“We were very close,” gravely states Boettcher after much silence. “I was stuck in Korea and didn’t even make it home for the funeral.”

After his military service, Boettcher found himself back home to help with the family business, a garage and filling

Boettcher served as the Door County Golf Association President for several years, at the time a thriving organization with a couple hundred members.

He chaired the popular Cherryland Open, which was started in the mid-50s by the Door County Chamber of Commerce in an effort to stimulate fall tourism. The tournament continues today is held each September, but does not attract the crowd of golfers that it used to.

“Back then the Cherryland was the only golf tournament in Door County – that and the Resorters,” comments Boettcher. “It was a big deal. We attracted some of the best amateurs and pros from around the state. Television crews from Green Bay would come up to cover the tournament.”

Curly’s Cleaners, owned by the late Curly Paul, and Boettcher’s Garage were the first two sponsors of the Cherryland Open. Boettcher sponsored and participated in the tournament’s debut, and many subsequent years after that.

One of his fondest memories of the Cherryland was the year he was matched against the projected winner, legenddoorcountyliving.com

ary player and instructor Manuel de la Torre. Based out of Milwaukee, and now 84 years old, de la Torre is still considered one of the top golf instructors in the world.

“I did not want to be matched up with him. Here was me, a local guy, playing against one of the best players in the state.

I was a little nervous to say the least,” recalls Boettcher. On their first hole (number 10 at Maxwelton Braes), Boettcher scored a deflating 8, while de la Torre took an uncharacteristic 6.

“Manuel put his arm around me and said, ‘let’s leave that hole where it is and go play golf.’” De la Torre went on to shoot a 68 and win the tournament, while Boettcher finished the round with a respectable score of 75.

In the late ‘80s, Boettcher was one of six auto dealers in the country selected by Oldsmobile to serve on the Board of Directors of the National Oldsmobile Scramble (now known as the Buick Scramble). During his time on the board, the tournament attracted 125,000 participants nationwide, with the finals taking place in Orlando, Florida.

His position on the board allowed him to play in the Disney Classic Pro Am tournament each year, playing alongside such touring pros as Fuzzy Zoeller, Bob Tway and Larry Mize.

For the past 11 springs, Boettcher has cut his winters in Arizona short to make sure he arrives for the Sturgeon Bay

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High School golf team’s first day of practice. He volunteers as head coach Tony Smith’s assistant, and can often be found running the ball picker at Cherry Hills before practice so the kids have range balls to hit.

“I do have a knowledge and can help with their swings,” comments Boettcher.

“But more importantly, I try to encourage kids to learn the game of golf. Golf is a way to better their character and to help them in all aspects of life.”

“What he brings is an incredible knowledge base and amazing ability,” comments Smith. “Bill’s a man of great integrity. He’s kind of a quiet, intimidating guy – he’s a man of few words, so when he talks the kids pay attention.”

Boettcher has also been a strong advocate of high school golfers playing match play versus stroke play, as he did in college. “A kid can come into the clubhouse having played well, but scored a 9 on a hole,” explains Boettcher. “It ruins their round. They don’t get rewarded for playing the other eight holes well.”

“Plus he beats them whenever we have putting and chipping contests at practice,” adds Smith. “He beats them every time – they are just amazed by his ability.”

Sturgeon Bay has had as many as 50 kids out for the golf team. They all do not get to compete in meets, but, for practice, the coaches don’t turn any of them away.

“What’s so impressive to me is how he has been able to adapt to the sport – not only physically, but how he can adapt to people in general,” reflects Smith. “Let’s face it, kids today are not the same kids they were 50 years ago.”

Leaving the management, motivation and team strategies up to Smith, Boettcher focuses on the player’s individual technique and etiquette. Boettcher runs a tight ship – profanity is not permitted and the kids adhere to a strict dress code (stricter than the school’s). Boettcher stresses respect for their opponents and the golf course. He adds, “I’m teaching kids how to win, and more importantly, how to lose.”

So six years ago, the two coaches along with the Southern Door coach Scott Masarik established The Boettcher Cup, named in Bill’s honor. It is a “battle of the bays” between Sturgeon Bay and Southern Door, where the golfers compete in match play format. Afterwards, Boettcher hands out awards and treats both teams to dinner.

In 1999, Boettcher, along with his current wife Yvonne, established a fund within the Door County Community Foundation in which each year they award a scholarship to a Sturgeon Bay senior golfer attending college.

When asked his secret for success both on and off the golf course, Boettcher replies it the same thing he tries to instill many kids he has coached over the years.

“I strive to be better than I am. I don’t want to be ‘the best’ – just be better.”

Door County Living Late Summer 2011