b'Id bring four to eight guys with me one or two times aReceiving the Charles Craigyear to play in tournaments. I started trying to qualify forScholarship was a game-changer the Maxwell Cup. I met members, great local guys.for me. I started the Turfgrass The tie that binds Management Certification program Barlow says he respects the golf culture at Prairie Dunes.at Penn State University in the Its different. It has this Midwestern hospitality feel; very laid back, very relaxed. He was among those who began pushingfall of 2024, but balancing school for a national member tournament in the early 2000s, andwith work and familyespecially a leader on the bandwagon that wanted it named after PDwith a young sonmeant I had to Head Professional Charles Craig or Charlie Pro, as he was affectionately known. While there was early resistance, thetake it one course at a time. This idea gained momentum, as did the proposed name. It wasscholarship really helped me get 2003 and Charles was retiring. He was always great to meover the hump, and now Im on when I came out. Hed served Prairie Dunes as head pro for 31 years. I thought we should honor him.track to graduate in May.Only three head pros since 1937? Unheard of, JimThere are plenty of turf programselaborates. Charles wanted to know the national members and did a great job of being our cheerleader, connectingout there, but Penn States focus on us to many good people who have passed or are stillgolf course management has been members. We were all sitting around one night, drinking aincredibly beneficial in my work at beer, considering what we could we do to honor this man who modeled extending a hand in greeting, getting out ofPrairie Dunes. This is my first year a relationship what you put into it. here, and Im already applying what Ive learned in ways that make a Honor him, they did. Barlow, Vigliaturo and company proposed that 10 percent of the entry fee, of what wouldreal impact.become the Charles Craig Classic beginning in 2006, be given in scholarship to PD staff and their kids: $129,600Avery Unruh, Charles Craig Scholarship has been given since 2013, when the Club began keepingRecipientformal records.National Prairie Dunes member since 1990: Stephen Barlow (featured left; with guest).21'