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They come by private and commercial jets, buses and trains. They arrive in vans with fancy "golf" vanity plates and in cars that look like they won't make it to the next town.

They carry state-of-the-art golf equipment in brightly colored bags and cut-down clubs that nearly disappear into a bag made from a bath towel.

For the past 28 years, during the week following Father's Day, tall 17-year-olds and tiny 3-year-olds have flocked to Quincy, Illinois—a Midwestern town that breathes, eats and sleeps golf—for the tremendously popular Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships.

Quincy tourism officials attribute $475,000 worth of bussiness to the golf tournament, calculating its impact on hotels restaurants and trade

It Started on a Golf

"It started in 1973, on a golf course, of course?," says Nan Ryan, founder and executive director of the Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships.

Ryan, a resident of Quincy for more than 60 years and a 16-year member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division, was a contestant in the 1973 Quincy Women's City Golf Championship. During the round she discussed the lack of golf tournaments for juniors with a local newspaper reporter who mentioned the International Pee Wee tournament in Orlando, Florida. He suggested that Quincy might be a good place to hold a similar event.

"My mind started racing," says Ryan. "By the time the round ended I had decided to start a junior golf tournament in Quincy"

After a visit to two local businesses that sold products that kids love (soda and hot dogs), the event had its major sponsors, Refreshments Services Pepsi and Bergman Meat Packing. Both companies continued as sponsors through 1982, when Bergman bowed out. Pepsi has remained a loyal major sponsor for 29 years.

What's In a Name?

A small committee met in Ryan's dining room to work out some the many details, and one of the first items discussed was naming the event.

During the discussion, Ryan's 4-year-old daughter, Kathleen, a beginning golfer, crawled up on Nan's lap and asked: "Mom, isn't the tournament for little people? Why don't you just call it the Little People's ... that's who it's for?"

The tournament had its name.

Tournament Growth

The first Little People's event was a memorable occasion, with 174 boys and girls ages 3 through 15 playing on the semi-private 9-hole Cedar Crest Country Club golf course. Nan's good friend Marilynn Smith, an LPGA Tour professional and co-founder of the LPGA, flew in to give a golf clinic, play golf and talk with contestants. A local television station filmed the entire event with film clips appearing on NBC.

Participation continued to increase year after year and now the event is played on five Quincy-area courses with the tournament headquarters at Westview Golf Course, a 27-hole facility owned and operated by the Quincy Park District.

"One of the most unique aspects of the tournament is that the courses used are different in many ways," says Ryan.

"Of the five courses used, one is a private country club, one is a park district facility, and three are privately owned but open to the public. There is a great spirit of cooperation between the courses. And, approximately 250 volunteers are needed to make the tournament run smoothly."

In 2001, the tournament hosted 889 players from 37 states and seven countries, including a record of 203 girls. According to Holly Cain, director of tourism for the Quincy Convention and Visitors Bureau, the event has a major impact on hotels, restaurants and trade.

Says Cain: "Approximately $475,000 worth of business is attributed to the golf tournament.

"The 775 rooms in Quincy are sold-out a year in advance, with many of the families staying in Hannibal and other outlying areas."

Although Ryan is aware of the

24   Illinois Parks and Recreation



Numerous PGA and LPGA tour players have made their golfing debut in Little People's, most notably, LPGA professional Vicki Goetze-Ackerman. Other alumni in the pro ranks include Jerry Haas, Dicky Pride, Kelly Robbins, Michelle McGann, and Renee Heiken.

Teenage phenom Ty Tryon competed in several Little People's Championships, winning his 8-9 Division in 1993. In December of 2001 at age 17, Ty became the youngest player in history to earn his PGA Tour Card.

economic benefits to the area, she quickly points out that the economics are only a side benefit.

"The goal of Little People's is, and always has been, to provide a tournament for as many young people as possible and to create a family celebration atmosphere," says Ryan.

Each evening after play is finished, family social events are scheduled that create an opportunity for families to get to know one another. Picnics, speakers, demonstrations, clinics and swim parties are all part of the event and make the experience much more than just golf.

Quincy Park District

This quality tournament also has been good for the Quincy Park District. During the week leading up to the event, there is a noticeable increase in rounds played and carts rented by interested coaches and parents. The pro shop operation and food and beverage sales also see a remarkable increase particularly during the event. But, most importantly, the event promotes junior golf in the area, giving youngsters a competitive experience while learning sportsmanship and making friends from around the globe.

"My brother John competed and won his age division (14-15) in the first championship, and since that time, both my children have played in the event," says Thomas Ernst, president of the Quincy Park District and a 3-handicap golfer.

"I served on the Little People's board for a period of time. The event is wonderful for the community and highlights the variety of golf facilities available in the area."

During the event the Quincy Park District reserves all 27 holes at Westview Golf Course for both practice and actual play. According to executive director John Hecker, this has not caused problems with residents.

Says Hecker: "Most of our local regular players understand the impact of this event to Quincy and youth golf in general. Many of the local players take the opportunity to go out of town together for a couple of days and play courses in Missouri and Iowa."

Giving Back

The Quincy Park District's Great River First Tee program was developed to provide disadvantaged youngsters with an opportunity to play golf, and the Little People's Championships has provided significant funding for this program each year. Through its "Kids Helping Kids" program, Little People's has donated approximately $137,000 to local community and educational organizations focused on disadvantaged young people and to scholarships for its winners.

Numerous PGA and LPGA tour players have made their golfing debut in Little People's, most notably, LPGA professional Vicki Goetze-Ackerman. Other alumni in the pro ranks include Jerry Haas, Dicky Pride, Kelly Robbins, Michelle McGann, and Renee Heiken.

Teenage phenom Ty Tryon competed in several Little People's Championships, winning his 8-9 Division in 1993. In December of 2001 at age 17, Ty became the youngest player in history to earn his PGA Tour Card.

Nan Ryan
played national tournaments and LPGA Tour events as an amateur and won the Quincy Women's City Championships 11 times. A golf professional since 1986, Ryan continues to teach her favorite sport while living in Estes Park, Colorado, where she enjoys hiking, snowshoeing and photography. She continues as executive director of Little People's, a position she has held since the tournament's inception in 1974.

John Hecker, CPRP,
is the executive director of the Quincy Park District

For more information, go to www.littlepeoplesgolf.com.

March/April 2002     25


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