78th Annual Midwest Deaf Golfers Association
Delegates Meeting Minutes
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Hyatt Regency Wichita
MDGA Delegaes meeting was called to order at 7:23 P,M, by President Willie Miller.
President: Willie Miller
Vice-President: Greg Gantt
Secretary: Bob Dramin
Treasurer: Mark Venz
Trustee: Bryan Jendra
Trustee: George McCarley
Past Presidents: Darrell Hovinen and James Potter
Illinois: Tony Donatello and Herb Muehl
Indiana: Charles Mackintosh and Charles Schwan
Iowa: Clayton Claiborne
Kansas: Ronald Nix and Ronald Starks
Michigan: Karl Gruetzner and William Van Dyck Dobos
Minnesota: Alan Kayser and James Potter
Wisconsin: John Payne and Roy Siskind
Chairperson: Andrew Stone
President Miller began the meeting by explaining that the officers (President, Vice-President, Sectretary, and Treasurer) convened via Sorenson Video Phone group call on July 27, 2005.
We discussed trophies for three Champion flights/certifications/prizes for future MDGA tournaments and the need to add some items to the MDGA's Guidelines.
NEW BUSINESS:
Andrew Stone motioned that MDGA no longer has trophies for Open Champion, Senior Champion, and Super Senior Champion. Seconded by Tony Donatello. Passed.
Mark Venz amended to add $75 each for Open Champion, Senior Champion, and Super Senior Champion. Seconded by Herb Muehl. Passed.
Hovinen montioned that each flgiht champion receives $25 extra. Seconded by Charles Schwan. Passed.
Darrell Hovinen motioned that the Wednesday pairings are based on scores from Tuesday event. Karl Gruetzner amended that only two pairings have similar scores from Tuesday event to be played on Wednesday. Passed.
Roy Siskind motioned to close new business. Passed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
There is a total of 50 MDGA golfers.
Tournament Bid: Tony Donatello bid that Illinois hosts the 2029 MDGA/MDLGA tournament.
Andrew Stone (Kansas) explained the plans for this week.
At the general meeting, there will be an election for Vice-President, Treaurer, and one trustee.
The drawing of tee times for State Scramble teams began as follows.
7:00 - Kansas Shockers
7:10 - Kansas #2
7:20 - Indiana Hoosiers
7:30 - Central Illinois
7:40 - Wisconsin Badgers
7:50 - NEBOWA Nebraska/Iowa
8:00 - Far West Arizona/California/Nevada/Utah
8:10 - Pure Michigan
8:20 - Illinois Boys
8:30 - Bald Hazy Illinois
8:40 - Last Minute
The open golfers will hit the ball from white tees.
The senior golfers will hit the ball from yellow tees.
Super Senior golfers will hit the ball from red tees.
The delegates meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m. CST.
Respectfully submitted by:
Bob Dramin
78th Annual Midwest Deaf Golfers Association
General Meeting Minutes
Monday, August 4, 2025
Hyatt Regency Wichita
The general meeting was called to order at 7:21 p.m. by President Willie Miller.
Bob Dramin signed the Pledge of Allegiance in ASL.
President WIllie Miller welcomed MDGA and 37 members present at the general meeting.
A moment of silence and in memoriam of Larry Farovitch (CAN/WA), Michael Nelson (PA/FL), and Lee Frazier (WI)
First-time golfers in MDGA: Jeff Carnley (KS), David Nix (KS), and Ronald Starks (KS)
PRESIDENT WILLIE MILLER'S REPORT:
The officers meeting (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer) met via Sorenson VIdeo Phone group call on July 27, 2025. We discussed trophies for the three Champion flights/certifications/prizes for future MDGA tournaments and the need to add to the MDGA's Guidelines. Also, we discussed on the officers' duties.
We had a Delegates meeting last night and had four new business motions from that meeting will be discussed tongiht.
VICE-PRESIDENT GREG GANTT'S REPORT:
Explained about State Scramble Teams. A total of 11 team particpants.
State Scramble winners:
1st place - Kansas Shockers (-13) $100
2nd place - Bald Hazy Illinois (-12) $60
3rd place - Far West (-10) $40
4th place - Central Illlinois (-9) $20
5th place - Illinois Boys (-9)
6th place - Pure Michigan (-9)
7th place - Indiana Hoosiers (-6)
8th place - Last Minutes (-2)
9th place - NEBOWA (-2)
10th place - Kansas #2 (+2)
11th place - Wisconsin Badgers (+3)
SECRETARY BOB DRAMIN'S REPORT:
Explained about MDGA's newsletter posting on the website.
Congratulations to Barry Froehle (IL), WIllie Miller (IA), and John Rush (NY) for their 20 times appeareances at the MDGA tournaments.
TREASURER MARK VENZ'S REPORT:
Gave the 2024 financial report.
HISTORIAN BOB DRAMIN'S REPORT:
Darrell Hovinen attended 31 straight times out of 34 and James Potter 30 straight times out of 39 MDGA tournaments.
Only Bob Dramin, Bryan Jendra, and Mark Venz never missed any MDGA tournaments. Current longest streaks are Bob's 35, Bryan's 29, and Mark's 28.
Kansas is southernmost in MDGA history.
TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN ANDREW STONE'S REPORT:
Explained about the weather for this week, driving range, reminded us about luncheon and banquet tickets, skins, putting contest on Tuesday after luncheon, Shoot-Out on Wednesday after luncheon, and the MDGA group picture that will be on Thursday morning.
Total 50 golfers: 22 Open golfers, 15 Senior golfers, and 13 Super Senior golfers.
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR (HANDICAP/SCOREKEEPER) DARRELL HOVINEN'S REPORT:
Explained the rules, Seniors will play the gold/white tee and Super Seniors will play the gold tee.
NEW BUSINESS:
Andrew Stone motioned that MDGA no longer has trophies for Open Champion, Senior Champion, and Super Senior Champion and adding $75 to each of these titles. Seconded by Charles Mackintosh. Passed.
Darrell Hovinen motioned that each flight champion receives $25 extra. Seconded by Andrew Stone. Passed.
Darrell Hovinen motioned that only two pairings of goflers with similar scores from Tuesday be play together on Wednesday. Seconded by David Ramirez. Failed.
Adam Wasilewski motioned that MDGA create a new position, "Social Media Director." Seconded by Barry Froehle. Passed.
CLOSED NEW BUSINESS:
ANNOUNCMENTS:
2026 - (Wisconsin) Mark Venz explained about Thornberry Creek Golf Course, hotel, location of delegate/general meeting, and a possible tour at Lambeau Stadium in Green Bay, either on Wednesday afternoon or Friday morning.
2027 - (Indiana) Greg Gantt is now looking at three different golf courses, either in Whitestown, South Bend, or southern Indiana.
2028 - (Minnesota) James Potter checked out two different golf courses.
The Far West Golf Association of the Deaf (FWGAD) will host in Northern California on July 13-17, 2026.
ELECTION:
Vice-President: Greg Gantt was nominated, and he accepted. Bob Dramin cast the vote for Greg as Vice-President (2026-2027).
Treasurer: Mark Venz was nominated, and he accepted. Bob Dramin cast the vote for Mark as Treasurer (2026-2027).
Trustee: Bryan Jendra was nominated, and he accepted. Bob Dramin cast the vote for Byran as Trustee (2026-2027).
CLOSED THE MEETING:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 p.m. CST.
Respectfully submitted by:
Bob Dramin