Fall Classic Edition - Golf Edition

Fall Classic is Back and Better Than Ever

As summer winds down and the weather begins to cool, our minds turn to visions of pumpkin spice, apple picking, and turning leaves. Fall is also the time MPI Georgia celebrates our longest continuous event, The Fall Classic.

I recently had the opportunity to sit with long-time member Kathi Kelly about the original vision for The Fall Classic, why it was created, and how this event has evolved to stay relevant over the years.

Lance: So Kathi, is there an origin story related to The Fall Classic? What led to this event being created?

Kathi: You know Lance, everyone who knows me knows my passion for Golf. In 1996, our chapter was looking for a signature event to happen in the fall, and it seemed logical to put some kind of golf event on the books seeing as the weather is so beautiful here in Georgia.

Lance: What's the secret to the longevity of this event?

Kathi: We've been very fortunate to have secured great clubs over the years, from the Marietta Country Club, Lake Lanier Islands, Country Club of the South, and this year Atlanta National Golf Club. Over time, we've continued to add more events for those that aren't golfers, such as Spa, golf lessons, cornhole, and most recently, our Bocce Tournament, which has been a huge hit. It's a great way to network in a casual and fun setting. And these days, we all need a little fun, don't we?

Lance: As co-chair this year, what was the thought that went into the theme?

Kathi: The committee wanted to do something fun, so we went with a Caddyshack theme. The movie is one of those classic and fun flicks and an unusual cast of characters (especially the gopher). Kind of like our chapter! Also, how else would I convince Jeff Whitney to dress up like a gopher?

Lance: Can you give us a glimpse of what's in store this year?

Kathi: Well, I don't want to give it all away, but we have some great things planned. Our Bocce Tournament is in full force, we expect there to be some fun foursomes for Golf, and we have some great sponsors already lined up. Speaking of sponsors, we still have some packages available for those interested in getting their names out!

The Fall Classic is set to take place on November 1, 2022 at the Atlanta National Golf Club. Registration is open now.

History of Golf:

The origins of Golf are unclear and much debated. However, it is generally accepted that modern Golf developed in Scotland from the Middle Ages onwards. The game did not find international popularity until the late 19th century, when it spread into the rest of the United Kingdom and then to the British Empire and the United States.

The modern game of Golf is generally considered to be a Scottish invention. A spokesman for The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, one of the oldest Scottish golf organizations, said "Stick and ball games have been around for many centuries, but golf as we know it today, played over 18 holes, clearly originated in Scotland." The word golf, or in Scots gowf [gʌuf], is usually thought to be a Scots alteration of Dutch "colf" or "colve" meaning "stick, "club", "bat", itself related to the Proto-Germanic language *kulth- as found in Old Norse kolfr meaning "bell clapper", and the German Kolben meaning "mace or club". The Dutch term Kolven refers to a related sport where the lowest number of strokes needed to hit a ball with a mallet into a hole determines the winner; according to the "Le grand dictionnaire françois-flamen" printed 1643 is stated the Dutch term to Flemish: "Kolf, zest Kolve; Kolfdrager, Sergeant; Kolf, Kolp, Goulfe."

The first documented mention of Golf in Scotland appears in a 1457 Act of the Scottish Parliament, an edict issued by King James II of Scotland prohibiting the playing of the games of gowf and futball as these were a distraction from archery practice for military purposes. Bans were again imposed in Acts of 1471 and 1491, with Golf being described as "an unprofitable sport". Golf was banned again by parliament under King James IV of Scotland, but golf clubs and balls were bought for him in 1502 when he was visiting Perth, and on subsequent occasions when he was in St Andrews and Edinburgh.

Mary, Queen of Scots played, and she was accused of playing "pell-mell and golf" at Seton Palace after her husband Lord Darnley was murdered in 1567, when she ought to have been in solemn mourning. George Buchanan wrote that she had been following her "usual amusements in the adjoining fields that were plainly not adapted to women".

An entry in the Town Council Minutes of Edinburgh for 19 April 1592 includes Golf in a list of pursuits to be avoided on the Sabbath. On 13 February 1593 the Duke of Lennox and Sir James Sandilands decided to go down to Leith to play Golf. On the way they met members of the Graham family who were feuding with Sandilands, and fought with pistols instead.

The account book of lawyer Sir John Foulis of Ravelston records that he played Golf at Musselburgh Links on 2 March 1672, and this has been accepted as proving that The Old Links, Musselburgh, is the oldest playing golf course in the world. There is also a story that Mary, Queen of Scots played there in 1567.

James VII of Scotland, while still Duke of Albany, was said to have played the first international golf contest in 1681 when he participated in a game against two English courtiers as part of a bet over rights to claim the game for Scotland or England. His teammate was said to be one John Paterson, who received as payment, enough money to build a mansion on the area of Edinburgh now known as Golfers Land.

More can be found on the origins of Golf here.