By Rapids City Times staff

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – A local golf tournament will carry on the legacy of a Rapids area man who was known for promoting golf and his generosity for those who had the desire to play.

“The tournament started in the 1950s.  It was called the Tri-City Jamboree.  It was one of the original golf tournaments in the area.  It was developed for local golfers to compete in a fun environment.  Being the women had their own fun tournament, this was originally for men only,” said Dan McCarville. “It was played on the two golf courses of Bull’s Eye Country Club and Tri-City Golf Course. After my Dad died in 1979 at the age of 46, the tournament committee announced in 1980 that beginning in 1981; they were renaming the tournament to the Lee McCarville Jamboree making this the 39th year.

“He loved the game of golf and did so much to promote the game throughout the area.  He loved children and always made sure they had an opportunity to play the game.  He also realized that not everyone who wanted to play could afford to play so he found ways to help less fortunate people be able to enjoy the great sport.”

Dan’s father Lee worked for Consolidated Papers and managed Tri-City for a decade.

“From 1969 until his death in 1979, (he) managed Tri-City Golf Course as a favor to Bull’s Eye Country Club,” Dan said. “After his death, my mother, Pat managed it for another 24 years.  During their time doing so, the business flourished.

“After my Dad’s death, a group of his friends created a two-part memorial to him at the Tri-City Golf Course clubhouse. Inside was a large painting of him wearing his golf hat, shirt, and sweater. Outside on the first tee-box was a large bronze plaque including the statement ‘He gave so much and asked so little’ which really sums up his life.”

In 2004, the tournament was moved to the Ridges and a scholarship fund was established. Today, those funds go to the Incourage Community Foundation. Around that time the tournament was also opened to women.

This year’s tournament will be held Aug. 3 with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. With foursomes divided into five flights for women and five for men, in a format that is now unique to this event.

“This is one of the few that is still individual medal play and many golfers appreciate that format,” added Dan.

“It is an honor to carry on his legacy through the game he loved and fostered in the area.  It is even better to carry on his giving through the scholarship.  Many of the tournament players are too young to remember him.  However, those who do remember him share their stories of admiration and enjoy carrying on the long tradition of the tournament and are pleased to support the scholarship.  As long as we can keep helping students with scholarships and as long as we have golfers who want to help achieve that, we will continue coordinating the tournament.”

For more information, contact Dan at dancovey@wctc.net.