Hitting the Links at Foxfire Golf Club
Story by Bob Fox, photography by Bob Fox and Joel Lerner
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On the courses recognized as one the finest public golf facilities in central Ohio, participants of the 1998 U.S. Transplant Games tested their skills and durability. Sun, heat and light winds along with slow play added to the difficulty of the courses.

Foxfire has been rated as the most difficult public course in central Ohio. The course consists of bentgrass fairways and incorporates large mounds, tree lined fairways, four lakes and the longest sand bunker in the Midwest. At 7,100 yards, the Players Club combines traditional American golf with a links style layout.

The course has a bluegrass layout that includes tightly guarded fairways, large sloping greens, mature trees and plenty of sand and water. Built in 1974, the course is 6,900 yards at the championship tees and tests the most avid golfer while giving the novice an enjoyable round.

The Players Club and the Foxfire courses combined to challenge the skills of the 1998 Games participants. With individuals from throughout the country, the design layout and different grasses made for a interesting day. Gary Pontius, Team Oklahoma, indicated that the course was challenging, but fair. Gary, hampered by recent tendon surgery to his right hand, was 4 over par 12 holes into the round. A gold medalist at the 1997 World Games in Sydney, Pontius had a heart transplant in 1994.

The bluegrass roughs proved to be tough for Ed Meyerhoeffer, Team North Carolina. Used to playing the championship courses around Hillsboro, NC, Ed had some problems with the fairway-to-immediate roughs. A lung recipient of 3 ½ years, Meyerhoeffer is participating in his second games.

The foursome of Teresa Snyder (Team Michigan, liver - 8 years), Angela Somerville (Team Utah, kidney - 14 years), Mary Lou Hoepner (Team Wisconsin, kidney - 12 years) and Colleen Guyer (Team Indiana, liver - 12 years) were happy to have the difficult holes behind them. All were thoroughly enjoying the competition and the challenge of the course. Once again, the Games golf venue provided the opportunity for friendly competition on an unknown, interesting and difficult course; enjoying the company of new friends; and being outside in a beautiful setting. A great day for organ donation.