Monday’s annual Diamond Club golf outing proved to be an extension of the remarkable success of the Ohio State Buckeyes’ breakout year in baseball.
Columbus – They say if you build it they will come.
And that’s was exactly the reaction seen at Monday’s Diamond Club golf scramble at the York Country Club, in Worthington, benefiting Ohio State baseball.
For the first time in memory the event was a “sellout”, nearly 30 foursomes signed up to play, have fun, and relive the Buckeyes’ recent Big Ten tournament championship…and first-ever trip to the NCAA tournament under coach Greg Beals.
“It’s been a great year for Buckeye baseball,” said Beals to the assembled crowd afterwards. “And a big, big part of that is the support we receive from the Diamond Club and the alumni who come back to support us through events like today.”
And yes, the field was made up largely of alumni and former players, energized by the Buckeyes’ overall record of 44-20, 15-9 in conference, and 23-4 at the friendly confines of Bill Davis Stadium.
And included in that record was a road split back in February with Coastal Carolina University, a 6-4 win and a 3-2 loss, to the eventual winners of the 2016 NCAA College World Series. Coastal defeated the University of Arizona in June, winning two of three games in the tournament final series.
“Our year was highlighted by the fact of our having six players drafted to play professionally,” said Beals. “And each of those six is doing well. That’ll leave some holes to fill with a young group coming back for next year, but we’re up to that challenge and we’re ready to go back to work (when fall baseball gets here).”
The Buckeyes will be forced to replace Ronnie Dawkins in left field (drafted by the Houston Astros), Troy Montgomery (LA Angels), Jacob Bosiokovic (Colorado Rockies), Nick Sergakis (NY Mets), reliever Mike Horejsei (Chicago White Sox), and starting pitcher Tanner Tully (Cleveland Indians).
More than 150 turned out to be a part of the annual event, which included news of significant new support for the continuation of the Letterman’s Plaza project at Bill Davis Stadium.
And, there was recognition once again, of the 1966 National Championship team, represented by four members in attendance who took part in the 18-hole scramble.
For the fact of esprit de corps, good feeling, and pride in accomplishment, you couldn’t have asked for more, even from those who played 40 years ago. In the words of one, “If this is what it takes to get there again (the Buckeyes’ one and only national championship, 50 years ago) I’m all in. What a GREAT day.”
If you’d like more information on the Diamond Club, its activities, or membership, contact the organization through its Facebook Page…for the good of all, and for the good of the a worthy program!
Diamond Club president Frank Fraas tries to coax a birdie attempt into the hole in Monday's golf benefit at York Country Club. (Press Pros Feature Photos by Sonny Fulks and Julie McMaken Wright)