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Bloomington Normal Golf Association Hall of Fame

The Bloomington-Normal Golf Association Hall of Fame was established in 2004 to recognize outstanding performance in BNGA events and in 2011 was expanded to include those with significant contributions to the local golf community. In 1918, the first city golf title was conducted. Since then, thousands of Bloomington Normal residents, local workers and golf members have competed in numerous BNGA events. Only a select few, who has proven their golf caliber, are granted entrance in the BNGA Hall of Fame. Many have competed successfully at the state and national level and Bloomington-Normal is well regarded as a very strong golf community.

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List of Members

NameNameNameName TitlesTitlesTitlesTitles MatchMatchMatchMatch TwoTwoTwoTwo----ManManManMan MedalMedalMedalMedal YeaYeaYeaYear r r r

inductedinductedinductedinducted OtherOtherOtherOther

Tom Kearfott

17 1988, 1993, 1994, 1997,

2015

1993, 1994, 1999, 2012, 2013, 2014,

2017

1988, 1992, 1994, 1996,

1997 2004

Todd Mitchell

16 2005, 2006, 2007, 2014

1995, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2016

2006

2002, 2003 State AM

Champion; 2008 US Mid AM - Runner-up; 2015 – US

Four ball semi-finalist CDGA Player of the Year: 2006, 2008, 2013, 2016

Frank Niepagen

15 1966, 1968, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1979

1974, 1984, 1985, 1986,

1989

1965, 1967, 1971, 1972

2004

Elston Mitchell

14 1984, 2000,

2001

1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

1984 2004

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NameNameNameName TitlesTitlesTitlesTitles MatchMatchMatchMatch TwoTwoTwoTwo----ManManManMan MedalMedalMedalMedal YeaYeaYeaYear r r r

inductedinductedinductedinducted OtherOtherOtherOther

Mike Milligan

11 1980, 1982, 1989, 1990

1979 1975, 1976, 1979, 1985, 1986, 1993

2004 1974 State

AM Champion

Brad Barker

10 1972, 1986, 1987, 1991,

2003

1984, 1985, 1986, 1989

1987 2004

Mike Cushing

8 2012, 2013,

2017 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017

2017 2017

Gene Funk

6 1955, 1959, 1961, 1962

1961, 1963 2004

John Kasch

6 1973, 1983 1981, 1982,

1983 1978 2004

Horace Soper

5 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921,

1922 2004

Keith Johnson

5 1933, 1934, 1935, 1937,

1938 2004

Doc Morgan

4 1951, 1953,

1957 1962 2004

Noonie Pease

3 1928, 1929,

1930 2004

Hal Stone

3 1945, 1946,

1947 2004

Morgan Evans

3 1951, 1953,

1957 2004

Gordon Shepherd

3 1958, 1963 1969 2004

Jim Benson

Media Category 2011 Golf

Journalist 1984 -

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BNGA Hall of Fame Entrance Criteria

Prior to 1969: Win three individual city titles (City Championship [match play] and/or Medal [stroke play])

1969-current: Win 6 total city titles (Match, Two-Man, Medal) with a minimum of 1 Match Play and 3 Individual titles overall.

Non-Champions: Provide significant contributions to the local golf community as determined by the BNGA President and existing Hall of Fame member.

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Hall of Fame Members at Todd Mitchell’s Induction Ceremony May 2006

From L to R: Gene Funk, Frank Niepagen, Tom Kearfott, Todd Mitchell and Elston Mitchell.

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Pantagraph Articles

From the Pantagraph: Sunday, May 2, 2004

B-N golf hall of fame to hold induction ceremony today

BLOOMINGTON -- There will be an induction ceremony at the conclusion of today's Interclub Tournament at Bloomington Country Club for the 14 members of the newly formed Bloomington-Normal Golf Association Hall of Fame. The living members of the Hall include Frank Niepagen, Gene Funk, Brad Barker, Tom Kearfott, Elston Mitchell, Mike Milligan and John Kasch. Those deceased are Horace Soper, Noonie Pease, Keith Johnson, Hal Stone, Morgan Evans, Doc Morgan and Gordon Shepherd. The Hall of Fame was initiated by the Bloomington-Normal Golf Association and entry is based on winning BNGA events. To be eligible, golfers before the 1970s had to win three City Championships (or the Match Play) or Medal Play events. After the 1970s, golfers had to win at least six city tournaments, with at least half coming as an individual and one being the Match Play tourney. Each golfer will receive an individual plaque. His name and accomplishments will be included on a larger plaque. The City Championship was begun in 1920. The Medal Play tourney was added in 1961, while the Two-Man Best Position started in 1974. Niepagen is the all-time leader in titles with 15. A record six of those came in the City Championship, five in the Two-Man Best Position and four in the Medal Play. Mitchell has 13 titles -- with a record nine in the Two-Man -- followed by Kearfott (12), Milligan (11) and Barker (10). Milligan is the leader in Medal Play titles with six. Barker established a record last year that may be difficult to beat as his victory in the Match Play gave him titles in that event in four decades.

From the Pantagraph Friday, May 19, 2006

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Mitchell induction to BNGA Hall of Fame

NORMAL -- Todd Mitchell will be inducted into the Bloomington-Normal Golf Association Hall of Fame at the conclusion of Sunday’s Interclub Tournament at the ISU Golf Course. Mitchell will become the 15th member of the Hall of Fame, which was started in 2004. After the 1970s, golfers had to win at least six city tournaments, with at least half coming as an individual and one being the Match Play tourney, in order to be eligible for the Hall of Fame. Mitchell earned his way into the Hall of Fame by winning last year’s Match Play. He also has won two Medal Play and six Best Position tourneys with his father, Elston. Todd Mitchell also is a two-time Illinois State Amateur champion. The other members of the BNGA Hall of Fame are Elston Mitchell, Frank Niepagen, Gene Funk, Brad Barker, Tom Kearfott, Mike Milligan, John Kasch, Horace Soper, Noonie Pease, Keith Johnson, Hal Stone, Morgan Evans, Doc Morgan and Gordon Shepherd. Golfers before the 1970s had to win three City Championships (Match Play) or Medal Play events in order to be eligible for the Hall of Fame.

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From the Pantagraph August 09, 2011

BLOOMINGTON — Pantagraph sports writer Jim Benson was inducted into the Bloomington-Normal Golf Association Hall of Fame on Sunday for his contributions to local golf.

Benson is the first member of the media to be inducted into the BNGA Hall of Fame. He was honored in a ceremony after the final round of the Medal Play Tournament at Bloomington Country Club. The BNGA Hall of Fame was established in 2004.

Benson will mark a 30-year newspaper career at The Pantagraph next week. He has been covering golf for the past 27 years.

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August 7, 2017

Mike Cushing’s BNGA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Bloomington Country Club

Pictured from L to R

Mike Henry – BNGA President

Jim Benson – Pantagraph Writer and BNGA Hall of Fame Member (Media)

Mike Cushing – BNGA Hall of Fame (Player)

Tom Kearfott – BNGA Hall of Fame (Player)

Last updated August 7, 2017