Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame
Accuracy and a fine touch about the greens is the effective combination Steve Johnson has used to achieve an outstanding career over the past four decades. Johnson won the State High School title in 1966, the MGA State Amateur in 1975, MGA Players Championship in 1988-89, MGA Mid-Amateur in 1989 and the State Public Links Championship three times in 1979, 1988, and 1995. Johnson was also the MGA's first Player of the Year in 1975 and won the MGA Senior Players Championship in 2003.
A high school teacher, Johnson dedicated himself to the future of the game by coaching boy's golf for almost thirty years and also being a member of the USGA Junior Boys Committee.
Rick Ehrmanntraut is one of five players in Minnesota to win the Minnesota State Open, MGA Amateur and State Public Links and has consistently challenged for State titles throughout his career. Ehrmanntraut won the MGA Amateur in 1972, Minnesota State Open in 1976, and State Public Links Championship twice in 1989-90. Ehrmanntraut also won the MGA Mid-Amateur in 1997 and the MGA Senior Players Championship in 2006.
In 1972, Ehrmanntraut qualified for the national fields of the USGA Open, USGA Amateur Championship and USGA Public Links Championship, a feat that has not been duplicated by anyone from Minnesota.
Throughout his distinguished career, Doctor Donald White has had a significant impact on the turfgrass industry locally, nationally and internationally. White began teaching at the University of Minnesota in 1961 and since then has taught several courses related to turfgrass science, landscape design and nursery management to many of today's superintendents throughout Minnesota and the United States.
Perhaps Doctor White's most important contribution to turfgrass research has been the development of seeded varieties of creeping bluegrass, Poa annua. Poa annua has long been considered a weed that should be eliminated from golf courses, however White's research led to the release of the first creeping bluegrass in 1997. The bluegrass is being used by golf courses throughout the world including Pebble Beach.
Doctor White's perseverance and drive have served the State well and his contributions to education and research have been invaluable to golf course superintendents in Minnesota and beyond.
Jody Rosenthal-Anschutz was sensational as an amateur before turning professional in 1986. Rosenthal won Women's State Amateur in 1978, three consecutive State High School and MGA Junior titles from 1979-1981 and the Women's Match Play from 1981-1983. Rosenthal was a four-time all-American at Tulsa University, a member of the 1984 USGA Curtis Cup and World Cup teams and capped her amateur career by winning the 1984 British Amateur Championship.
Turning professional in 1986, Rosenthal was named LPGA Rookie of the Year. In 1987, Rosenthal won twice including the du Maurier Ltd. Classic, considered one of the LPGA's four major championships.
Rosenthal-Anschutz retired from the LPGA in 1996 and now spends time conducting the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Pro-Am in Rio Verde, Arizona to raise money for underprivileged children.
