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Volunteers Drive Invite's Success

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Volunteer "Big John" Himler greets players on the No. 10 tee on Thursday at the 54th annual Harder Hall Invitational in Sebring.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: January 10, 2009

SEBRING - John Himler and Dori Landrum both have smiles that can light up a room as they greet players and hand out generous amounts of Heartland hospitality at the Harder Hall Women's Invitational.

Himler, who's called "Big John" by his friends, started his tenure at the event back in 1997 as a spotter and progressed to the scoreboard. For the past five years, you can see him as a starter on the No. 10 hole, where he greets every player warmly.

"I do this for no other reason than for the love of the game of golf," said Himler as he sat in his golf cart after the final morning group teed off on Thursday. "My wife and I moved from Ohio so we could play golf in the winter.

"The people here at Harder Hall asked if we'd volunteer to help out with the event and we've been here ever since."

Landrum owns a house on the 14th green of the historic course and has been associated with the Invitational since 1991.

You can usually find Landrum either on her walkie-talkie assisting with one issue or another or pecking away on her laptop as she inputs the daily scores into the computer.

"I'm a jack-of-all-trades around here," laughed Landrum. "I've done just about everything from working the snack bar to registration and everything in between.

"My job is basically taking as much pressure off the chairman as possible."

That chairman is Carol Semple Thompson, who Landrum has the utmost respect for.

"I'm in awe of Carol," Landrum said. "She is such a wonderful person and treats everyone the same. She's done so much in her life and to dedicate herself to this event speaks volumes about her character. I mean it's amazing to spend time with someone of her caliber."

Landrum also says her golf game has really improved since being able to sneak some golf tips from the likes of Semple Thompson.

Himler has a special nickname for the World Golf Hall of Famer.

"I call her 'The Grand Dame of Amateur Golf,' " Himler said. "She's done so much for women's amateur golf and continues to inspire the women out here today."

Himler, who was an eighth grade math teacher and athletic director up in Ohio, has seen so many players come and go, but she still gets a treat when he turns on the television and sees a young girl who has graced the course at Harder Hall.

"I've seen them all," Himler said. "Morgan Pressel, Britney Lincicome, Natalie Gulbis - it's really nice to see that they've all made it on the tour and that they cut their teeth at Harder Hall."

When asked about a highlight that still sticks in his mind, Himler is quick to answer.

"Alice Dye wife of famed golf course designer Pete Dye was on No. 10 a few years ago," said the Ohio native. "I remember her saying to the other girls, 'play well ladies because it's more fun.'

"That was a nice comment, especially from who it's coming from."

Landrum has watched the Invitational grow in numbers and caliber of players in her 19 years with the event and loves the idea that it's become a worldwide event.

"We've got players all the way from Scotland this year," Landrum said. "I remember when we were struggling to get players to this event and now the hard work of everyone involved has made it a huge success."

Landrum's highlight has been being a host family for out-of-town golfers through the years, especially Brazilian Candy Hannemann.

"Candy stayed with my husband and I when she was 12 years old," Landrum said. "She was the first 12-year old ever invited to the event and was really respectful and fun to be around.

"Hosting the players really keeps you young."

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5837 or choffman@highlandstoday.com.

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