Mount Vernon News

Apple, Unguary receive honors

HOWARD — Choking back the tears on Friday afternoon, the 2007 Ohio Public Golf Association Ray Pennell Sportsmanship Award recipient handed out another honor. After being recognized for his hard work and dedication to the OPGA, Glenn Apple of Howard announced the 2007 OPGA Hall of Fame inductee.

“What makes it so good is the people that have already gotten it before me,” said Apple, in regard to his award. “There are lots of acquaintances and friends that are so deserving so if I’m in that group it is pretty humbling.”

Unfortunately, his long time best friend and training partner Joe Unguary, who passed away from cancer eight years ago, wouldn’t be at the ceremony. Instead, Apple presented the plaque to his son, Joe Jr.

Apple and Unguary Sr. met at Bowling Green College, where they both played on the golf team. After they graduated, the pair ended up living in the same area near Cleveland/Akron and a special relationships was formed.

“We started to play as partners and raised our children (together). Our children became golfers. It’s just a connection,” said Apple.

Joe Jr. and Apple’s son, Brad, joined their fathers in four-man competitions. It was special time for all four men, who enjoyed competing together as a foursome. It’s one of the memories that Joe Jr. and Apple still cherish to this day.

Last August, Apple and Unguary were inducted into the Ohio Golf Hall of Fame. It was then that Apple, already a member of the OPGA Hall of Fame, began campaigning for his dear friend to be recognized. Apple won the OPGA Publinx four times and was runner-up four times. In 1986, Unguary won his only Publinx title, battling with Apple until the final hole. Joe. Jr. vividly remembers that day. He competed in the tournament himself, and then went out to watch his father pick up the win.

“They were playing in the last group together and Glenn three putted the 71st hole, my dad was one up at the last hole and he hit a putt of about 30 feet to win. He left it six feet short and then he made it. I got to watch it,” said Joe Jr.

Having four Publinx titles already under his belt, Apple was happy to have his friend win.

“I was rooting for him. I have had a couple competitors that are just such great people that I’m rooting for them and they are beating me, but that is OK. It was a mutual respect for each other,” he said.

In 1993, Unguary grabbed one of the most memorable wins of his life. He finished first at the Senior National Amateur tournament, one of his proudest moments.

“That was the peak for him. He got more enjoyment out of that than anything I think in his life probably,” said Joe Jr.

Unguary is a member of four golfing hall of fames. In addition to the Ohio Golf and OPGA, he is a member of the Northern Ohio Golf Hall of Fame and the Orange High School Hall of Fame.

“It’s a big honor when people recognize (Unguary’s accomplishments),” said Joe Jr. “There are things you remember in your life. I lived a lot of those great memories with him and he is being recognized for a lot of that stuff now.”