Feature Article on Bernie Kerns. Topic: SPORTS &
PEOPLE
Written by Rich Wallace in
November, 1997
STUDENT GOLFER NEVER LOST A REGULAR SEASON MATCH |
Sidney Country Club -- now known as the Moose.
Area golfers have followed with interest the accomplishments of Fairlawn's senior golfer Ryan Coyne, son of Tom and Sally Coyne. He won the district championship, a first for a Fairlawn golfer, and finished fourth overall in the state meet in his division recently. Many senior golfers may remember another local phenom, and the trail of glory he blazed across the links over 58 years ago. It was to be a Cinderella season for this Sidney High School athlete like no other in the history of the school. The recent successes of Ryan Coyne bring to mind the accomplishments of that great golfer. This is his story. In the 1930s, golf was a spring sport, along with tennis and track and field. The 1939 edition of the 'thinclads' (as the track and field performers were known then) were expected to be a mediocre team at best, but many thought the tennis squad, led by Fred Dull and Bill Binkley would challenge the best teams in the area. After graduation, Fred Dull was destined to play a key role in the dynamic growth of Monarch Machine Tool company. When coach Rodney Kolb assembled the Yellow Jacket golf team, there was talk in the community that the squad had promise, but that some of the younger players would have to come through. Among those youngsters was a sophomore named Bernie Kerns. Kerns was one of seven brothers, and all were good athletes. Besides golf, Bernie's other love was basketball. He was destined to be the star of the Sidney High School team during his last two years in school. Although only five feet eight inches tall, he played point guard and served as team captain his senior year. Coach Kolb knew he had something special in Bernie Kerns. Under the tutelage of his father, Bernie had played the game since he was six years old. At the age of eleven, he switched from a left handed to a right handed player. By the age of 13, he was shooting in the 30s for nine holes. High school competition, however, might prove to be a different story. As the 1939 golf season began to unfold, things went well for Bernie. Sidney's home course was the Sidney Country Club (It subsequently became the home of the Moose). Bernie soon began to master the course as if he had designed it. Against Lima Central early in the season, he shot a 72, besting everyone else by four shots. Living a nightmare all too familiar to many golfers, Robbins of Sidney missed a two foot putt on the last hole to give Lima Central a tie in the match. Just three days later, Kerns again shot a 72, beating his opponent by 14 strokes as Sidney thumped Piqua. [ Back ] [ Next ] [ Up ] [ New Search ] |
