Walking scorers sought:

Twelve years ago when the U.S. Senior Open was held at NCR Country Club, NCR’s heralded South course wasn’t long enough at 7,000 yards to keep the seniors from setting scoring records.

Miami Valley’s course is still tough enough to frustrate golfers of the skill level who play in events such as the Mid-Am and qualifiers for United States Golf Association events. Only one player — Matt Buse — broke par in last week’s 54-hole test.

“This course is in spectacular shape,” one Ohio Golf Association official said during Thursday’s final round.

The person most responsible for the condition of the course is green superintendent Jim Hasselbrock, who has been on the job for 33 years.

“This club is one of our favorites,” said Jim Popa, a Columbus resident who runs the OGA events. “The superintendent here, Jim Hasselbrock,is an unbelievable guy with (only) eight or nine guys on his staff.” The Miami Valley Golf Association is looking for volunteers to keep score for participants in two USGA qualifiers next month.

We are referring to the U.S. Women’s Amateur qualifier on July 6 at Walnut Grove Country Club and the U.S. Men’s Amateur qualifier on July 10 at Moraine Country Club.

As always, the players are responsible for keeping their own scores and the scorecard they sign is official, but the walking scorers provide a backup.

Those interested should contact the Miami Valley Golf Association office at 937-6093387 or by emailing executive director Steve Jurick steve@ mvgolf.org.

One resident who was a walking scorer at the recent U.S. Open qualifier at Springfield Country Club sent us a note of thanks for making him aware of the opportunity and said it was a great experience.

The Southern Ohio PGA Section is holding its Springfield Classic at Springfield Country Club on Monday.

The annual Junior Golf League at WGC Golf Course in Xenia begins Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. and will continue each Wednesday through July. Information can be found at www.wgcgolfcourse.com.

Close to half a century has passed, but Mark Duff remembers it as if it were yesterday.

It was December 4, 1972 at Thunderbowl Lanes when a young 19-year-old rushed into the center for league bowling.

“I was feeling under the weather, got there late and had five frames to make up,” he said.

Given the circumstances, Duff wasn’t expecting much in the way of his game or score. Much to his surprise, he was soon just a few strikes away from his first perfect game.

“It was back in the day when everyone quit bowling to watch when someone was close to a 300,” Duff said. “It was extremely nerve-wracking.”

Duff fought off the jitters and rolled his first perfect game — one of 35 bowled that year in the city. It was the second 300 game posted at Thunderbowl.

Now, 45 years and 24 perfect games later, the 63-year-old is being inducted into the Greater Dayton United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame. Duff is one of two who will be recognized in the veteran division. Tim Ekberg also will be inducted Aug. 5 at the Greater Dayton USBC awards brunch.

“Going into the Hall of Fame means everything to me,” Duff said. “It was the only thing that was really missing as far as accomplishments, and it means the world to me.”

Duff ’s bowling resume includes seven 800 series and a 234 career-high average. He recorded averages of 230 or better for four seasons. While he hasn’t won a city title, he placed second twice in the team division and won the state team match game title in 1977. He qualified for the City Senior All-Star Team in 2009. Career 300 games High average High series, one of seven career 800s

“Before the Hall of Fame, I’d say I was most proud of my high series (854),” the Vandalia resident said. “That year (1982) it tied me for high series in the city.”

Duff has taken a break from the sport in recent years as his time-consuming work schedule as a truck driver has made league bowling difficult. With retirement on the horizon, possibly in September 2018, the Hall of Famer is looking forward to a return to the lanes.

“Going into the Hall of Fame makes me want to bowl even more,” he said.

In the meantime, he will celebrate being in elite company.

“I’ve bowled with many of the Hall of Famers and to be among them now is almost too good to be true,” he said.