September 5, 2017 at 3:32 p.m.
A very dairy golf outing
Organizers of 2011 dairy golf outing declare event a success
Janie Vanden Berg, who works at Pipestone Veterinary Clinic, lines up a putt while Nick and Ingrid Jopson watch during the 2011 Central Plains Golf Outing. Ingrid was later awarded a lawn chair and a cow bell for her golfing skills. (photo by Jerry Nelson)
"Roughly half our golfers were dairy farmers, with the rest being dairy industry representatives," said Kathy Tonneson, organizer of the Golf Outing. "We've held the Golf Outing each year since 2004. I never know which dairy farmers I'll see from year to year. It's always different."
The day's events kicked off with a lunch at 11:00 a.m. Hamburgers, potato chips and salad were served, along with ice cold milk furnished by Land O' Lakes.
The shotgun start was held at noon. Rich Hansen, president of the board of the Central Plains Dairy Association, gave a short welcoming speech, then told the gathered to commence golfing. Golf carts sped off in every direction as the four-person teams scrambled to their assigned holes.
Prizes were offered for the first hole-in-one at various holes, including $5,000 in cash at hole number 6, a Carnival Cruise on hole number 11, a Hawaiian Vacation on the 17th hole, and a U.S. Open Vacation on the 11th hole.
One of the dairy golfers was Chris Hulstein. Hulstein is the herdsman at his uncle Mike Hulstein's 500-cow dairy located near Edgerton, Minn.
"I haven't golfed in more than two years," said Hulstein as he lined up a putt on the 11th green. "This outing is a fun way to connect with other dairy operators and folks involved with the industry."
Tonneson patrolled the golf course in a refreshment cart, making sure that the golfers stayed well hydrated. Assisting her was Julie Moes, whose family operates MoDak Dairy at Goodwin, S. D.
"Dairy farmers need a day when they can be something else besides dairy farmers," said Moes. "Everyone needs a break once in a while. This Golf Outing has been a good way for dairy farmers to get away and socialize a bit and look at something else other than cows."
Josh Winquist was among this year's golfers at the Dairy Golf Outing. Winquist and his wife, Lindsay, and their young family milk about 250 head on their farm located near Alcester, S. D.
"I haven't touched a golf club in 2 ½ years," said Winquist. The veracity of this statement could be seen in the thick layer of dust that adorned the bag that held his golf clubs.
"These clubs are hand-me-downs from my father-in-law," said Winquist. "Every time he upgrades I get a better set of clubs, even though I don't go golfing all that much."
The day was warm, with a light breeze; perfect for golfing. In between tee shots and putts, there were comments about golfing skills or the lack thereof, along with conversations about crops and cows.
"Here's how you line up a putt!" said Nick Jopson as he got down onto his belly and held his putter like a pool cue. Jopson was golfing with his mother, Ingrid, and Janie Vanden Berg, who works at Pipestone Veterinary Clinic.
The Jopson family is originally from England. They currently milk about 500 head on their farm located near Egan, S. D.
Despite his novel style and careful aim, Nick missed the putt.
Wayne Dykshorn was another dairyman who was out enjoying the day at Rocky Run Golf Course. Dykshorn and his sons, Alan and Paul, operate a 500 cow dairy on their farm located near Ireton, Iowa.
"Our Vita Plus guy invited us along on this outing," said Dykshorn. "The boys said they were too busy so I went in their place. I'm not much of a golfer, but it's been a fun day."
By about 4:30 in the afternoon most of the teams had finished their round of golf and had returned to the clubhouse. Next on the agenda was dinner, with grilled steaks and baked potatoes topping the menu, along with hearty portions of conversation and camaraderie. Super-chilled Alltech Dippin Dots ice cream were served for dessert.
Prizes were handed out for such things as the shot that landed closest to the pin, the longest drive, and the shot that landed closest to the creek. Among the prize winners was Ingrid Jopson, who was awarded a lawn chair and a cow bell.
"I have no idea what I did to win this," said Ingrid, somewhat flustered by her unexpected good fortune. "It was a total fluke!"
After the prizes were awarded, the dairy farmer golfers sat and talked for a while before heading out to their cars and pickups. At home waited such things as barns full of cows or fields of hay that needed baling.
"It was a great day," said Hansen. "I think it's safe to say that a good time was had by all!"[[In-content Ad]]
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