The Dow Finsterwald Day - September 25, 1958
Ohio Historical Society Commemorative Marker

The marker standing outside the Athens Country Club clubhouse recalls the day in September 1958 on which Arnold Palmer, Dow Finsterwald, Jack Nicklaus, and Howard Baker Saunders played an exhibition match on the Club's golf course. Officially proclaimed Dow Finsterwald Day in Athens, the day honored the PGA Champion who learned the game on this course and who has never forgotten his early years in Athens, at this Club, and at Ohio University. The day also marked the first meeting of Palmer and Nicklaus, an occasion that gained in significance over the years, as Nicklaus and Palmer vied against each other at the highest levels of professional golf.

The "Dow Finsterwald Day" marker was dedicated on Friday, May 29, 2009. Honored guests Dow Finsterwald and Jack Nicklaus unveiled the marker. Other special guests included members of the Saunders family and three of the caddies who carried bags in the exhibition, Dow Reichley, Bill Santor, and Larry Snyder. A large audience, comprised of members of the Club, guests from the Athens community and the University, as well as representatives of the media, witnessed this special occasion.

The plaque and the dedication ceremony were made possible through the generous gifts of many friends of the Athens Country Club, including current and former members. We are grateful to all the donors listed below whose gifts honor Dow Finsterwald Day, the exhibition participants, and the event's significance to the history of the game of golf.

Donor List:

Ivan & Sandra Arnold
Jim Ault
Athens Country Club Women's Golf Association
Athens County Historical Society
The Athens Foundation
Dick & Sally Barr
Eleanor Barstow
Keller Blackburn
Jack & Sandy Bortle
Scott & Gwen Brooks
Mark & Suzanne Brugner
Paul, Sue and A. J. Cadamagnani
Charles & Harriet Carlson
Steve & Leslie Chadwell
Jeff Chadwell
Richard & Betty Conard
Emmett & Connie Conway
Bob, Nan & Brynn Cooley
Ken & Jo Cutright
Jared Dean
Rick & Grace Essex
Dow & Linda Finsterwald
Rick & Sharon Frame
Tracy Galway
John &Jan Garske
James R. & Barbara Gaskell
Alan & Sandy Geiger
Tad & Ann Grover
Claudia Hale
Brent & Sara Hartman
Steve & Joni Hodgson
Michael & Miranda Hodgson
David & Susan Hunter
Rick & Wendy Jakmas
Bill & Barbara Kennard
A. J. Kerr
Kenny Kerr III & Teri Kerr
Kenny Kerr IV
Nada Kerr
John & Charlene Kopchick
Arnie & Tami LaGraff
Alan & Jacki Legg
Mark & Berinthia Levine
Tom & Julie Littler
Channing & Janis McAllister
Mike McBride
Jim & Judy Matthews
Tom Metters
Gerald & Diane Mollica
Greg & Pam Moore
Charles & Betty Moore
Gary & Marty North
The Ohio Historical Society
Ohio University University Communications & Marketing
Ohio University Athletics - Men's Basketball
Rick & Cindy Oremus
Tom Parfitt
Gary & Barbara Pfeiffer
Jim & Kathy Riestenberg
Marion Riggs
Roger & Betty Rollins
Mark & Rosalie Rosenberg
Geoff Rosenberg and Colleen Craig
Sol & Laura Rosenberg
Nancy Rue
Jim & Risa St. Clair
Howard Baker & Alice Saunders
Dow, John & Scott Saunders
Bob & Susan Sebring
David & Debbie Smith
Pat & Karen Smith
Bob & Beth Sparks
Scott Sparks, Kim Hale & Brian Sparks
Ray Stephens
Bob & Machelle Stewart
Greg Stonerock & Camella Ecrich
Ron & Calista Strickmaker
Fred & Jim Swearingen
Tony & Cheryl Sylvester
Milt, Martin & Milt Jr. Taylor
Bill & Elizabeth Turman
Rick & Karen Vincent
Bill & Debbie Walker
Dave & Tim Young