Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame
Carol Ellis, 78, of Roseville, Minn., has been a part of Minnesota golf since the 1960’s. Calling University Golf Club her home, Ellis won the 1963 Minnesota Women’s Public Golf Association’s Public Links Championship, finished runner-up in the 1966 Minnesota Women’s State Amateur Championship and participated in eight USGA Women’s Opens from 1964 to 1977, including a 43rd place finish in 1966 at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Turning professional in 1966, Ellis was a successful golf instructor, giving lessons in St. Paul at Harkins Range, the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, and at the University Golf Club into the early 1980’s. Nearing 50 later that decade, Ellis reapplied for her amateur status and went on to win three consecutive Minnesota State Senior titles in 1989, 1990 and 1991. She also qualified for three USGA Women’s Mid-Amateur and nine USGA Women Senior Amateur championships, including a 13th place finish at Pine Needles in 1991.
Tim Herron, 47, grew up in Wayzata, Minn., in a golf family and quickly became one of the most decorated Minnesota amateur golfers. The 1988 MGA Junior Player of the Year, Herron went on to attend the University of New Mexico where he won five times and became an All-American. Herron continued his winning ways in Minnesota capturing the 1992 MGA State Amateur Championship and went undefeated in matches in the 1993 USGA Walker Cup held at Interlachen Country Club. Herron turned professional following the Walker Cup, winning four times on the PGA Tour; the 1996 Honda Classic, 1997 Texas Open, 1999 Bay Hill Invitational and 2006 Colonial. Herron continues to play professionally on the PGA Tour and ranks 70th on the all-time money list with more than $19,000,000 in earnings.
Charles Erickson was hired away from the Minneapolis Park Board in 1899 to become the first head greenkeeper at The Minikahda Club, and by July of that year the first ball was hit from the first tee by the club president. Affectionately known as the “General” by the club membership, Erickson’s practical and innovative approach to the challenges of turf and arbor management is best captured in his summation to fellow greenkeepers, “We are doctors of the green.” Among his mechanical contributions to the industry developed during his early tenure at Minikahda, was “The Sea Serpent,” the first golf course irrigation system in the United States. In addition, Erickson cultivated bentgrass at Minikahda and was instrumental in converting many of the golf courses in Minnesota from sand to bentgrass greens.
Erickson was also very active in the formation of the Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents Association, and in 1928 was elected its first president.
