A History of “The Oley Humphreys Open”
(Initiated and organized by Doc Kitzman, the following are his recollections of its beginning.)
"It started in 1982 with my thought of having a Central Baptist church-wide golf tournament, to promote Christian fellowship and have fun together playing a good sport. My second thought was of naming the tournament and making it a special, annual event. The first name that came to mind was Oley Humphreys’. Oley loved the Lord, but he also loved golf!
Many of us at Central knew Oley had been an avid golfer and loved the sport tremendously. He played with the pros at several pro-am matches. Oley loved the game so much he played several times a week. After he retired from government service and RCA in 1973, he literally played up to 36 holes a day! He made it a point not to play on Sundays. Oley was also a devoted husband to his wife Caroline, and father to his two girls, Nancy and Pat. He loved our Lord and was a devoted member at Central. Caroline and Oley were also charter members at Central. They were also very active at church, serving in a lot of positions. Oley was formerly a Sunday School Director, Brotherhood Director, Church Training Director, and deacon. I remember he always sat in the same seat in the old auditorium (now the Fellowship Hall). That was HIS seat! Oley went to be with the Lord in 1979, so, with Caroline’s approval and blessing, we named our golf tournament “The Oley Humphreys Open”.
Since its inception in 1982, it has been held annually every year. In 1989 we started having it twice a year, dedicating it to Oley and I’m sure he is looking down on all of us with pleasure each and every time we play the tournament. I praise God to have had the pleasure of knowing Oley, even though it was only a few years. Keep on golfing, God bless..."
- Doc Kitzman
(The following are recollection from Gary Tuggle)
"Since I grew up at Central Baptist, I knew the Humphreys family because we always saw them at church. I was aware that Oley was a regular golfer, but I didn’t know to what extent. I knew him as a quiet, modest, unassuming person. One day he approached me and asked if I ever played golf. I told him no, but I played other sports such as softball, basketball, and volleyball. He tried to encourage me to take up golf. At the time I didn’t act that interested, but the very next time he saw me at church he came up to me and said, “I have something for you.” Oley took out of his car trunk a #1 wood driver and said, “Take a few swings.” Right there in the grass in front of the church, he taught me how to stand and grip the club and then said, “You keep that up and go hit a bucket of balls at the driving range and see how it feels to you.” Well, I tried it and got hooked on golf. I played a few times with rented clubs and then bought my own. I never put enough time and practice to be good at it, though. Neither do I play 18 holes that often, but I have never missed an Oley Humphreys Open Tournament in all these years.
Since Oley got me interested and started in golf, I, along with Bill Brant, have been continuing to organize and schedule the tournament ever since Doc Kitzman initiated it. As of this writing, I realized that only a few of us today knew who Oley Humphreys was and why the tournament is named after him. I am hopeful that when this history is written, it will be read and make many of the tournament participants aware of who Oley was and how this tournament came about."
- Gary Tuggle
(Comments from several who have participated in the tournament over the years)
“I have been playing golf in the Oley Humphreys Open from its inception. I really enjoy the fellowship that we have. Its great to have people come out and play that only play in these events. It is so good to carry on the memory of a great Christian that loved the Lord and loved to play golf. I hope to see the semi-annual event continue on in Oley’s memory.” – Ray Gates
“I began coming to Central Baptist Church in February of 1989. From past experience, I was a bit apprehensive of how my family and I would fit in. Shortly after we began attending, an invitation to a golf tournament came to me. I signed up for that Oley Humphreys tournament and received such a blessing in the fellowship by meeting such fine folks as Ray and Ruby Gates. Everyone has a great time at these outings, regardless of ability. My son played his first full round of golf because of the opportunity the tournament gave him. It won’t be long now before he starts teaching me! My hat’s off to Bill Brant and Gary Tuggle for their efforts in consistently organizing a wonderful event. This is an outing for the fellowship of our marvelous congregation and a chance to possibly witness to others. It is fun and joyful to be a follower of Christ.” – Rick Hile
“Before moving to Florida, I knew about Central’s golf tournament through my eldest son, Eric. He played a few times while a student at F.I.T. and afterward. After Maria and I moved here we joined the Christian community of Central Baptist. Of course, I was invited to participate in the Oley Humphreys Golf Tournament and have done so since 1987. Most of the time it has been the only opportunity to play the game in the year and, of course, it will show in the golf course and in the number of balls lost! There are some good memories of fellowship, participation, and special remembrances: an eagle shot in the ninth hole of Harbor City Golf Course one year and some great scores other times. At the top of the list has to be the time when, paired with my son, David, and Mr. Ed Klara and his wife, Alice, we were able to win the tournament. We opened with a birdie and Mr. Klara finished with a birdie, putting it in from the fringe that gave us the victory. I appreciate those fellow players that have teamed up together with me and forgiven my poor shots. All my sons, Eric, David, and Sammy, and also my nephew Arnold, have played in the tournaments, creating family reunions during those occasions. Good memories.” – Abe Medina
“The Oley Humphreys Golf Tournaments hold many wonderful memories. Perhaps the greatest is one that has occurred at each and every tournament we have held since its inception. This memory would be of the conflict between the course rangers and Gary Tuggle. No matter what his tee time, Gary inevitably slows play and creates quite the backup behind him. The ranger then drives all over the golf course trying to find Gary and speed him up. It has come to the point that all the various course rangers throughout the county call one another to alert the specific course as to Gary’s tee time. We have seen each of the rangers so often that we affectionately call them all “Ranger Bob”. The true highlight of each tournament is the fellowship we enjoy with one another and our Lord as we spend some four hours in His beautiful creation.” – Jerry Rowell
“One of the first times I played golf was in the Best Ball Tournament. I have been on one of the winning teams but I enjoy the fellowship most of all.” – Bobby Coleman
“Not only was Oley an avid golfer, he also had a library of golf books. This I know because Caroline was enough to give me a number of his books, all autographed. Most books were oldies but goodies. Never played a round with Oley but he comes to mind every time I read one of his books. Oley loved the Lord and his golf.” – Stan Cantrell
“I participated in the first Oley Humphreys Golf Tournament, the most recent one, and most of the ones in between. We’ve come in first and we’ve come in last, but the good Christian fellowship makes us all winners. Thanks to the organizers for these opportunities to fellowship with my church family.” – Sharron Deuel
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my times in the Oley Humphreys Golf Tournaments. The tournament is more than just golf; its fellowship and fun. The first years of my participation gave me wonderful opportunities to share common interests with men and women of the church whom I didn’t know very well. It allowed me to spend 3-4 hours joyfully sharing our ups (knowing the Lord) and our downs (bogeys on holes #4-7). In the latter years, I was able to share the tournament experience with my son. This was a highlight for me, to spend those hours with Nathan, time that could be focused on one another. Its been a pleasure that I will continue to participate in as I am able.” – Charlie Raab
“My remembrance of Oley are of a man that loved God, his family and his church, in that order. He was dedicated to all three. He also loved golf, but never let it interfere with his commitment to the church. When it was proposed that we have a golf tournament in honor of his memory, I thought it was the perfect opportunity for our church to pay tribute to Oley and the game he loved so dearly. Over the years his tournaments have provided fun, fellowship, and some friendships that will last for many years to come. Thanks, Oley!” – Bill Brant
“The Oley Humphreys Golf Tournament has always been a time of great Christian fellowship for me. Winning is not emphasized, but having fun is! I have always enjoyed this great event and look forward to many more.” – David Robinson
“It was in the Oley Humphreys Golf Tournament that I learned how to play (or play at) golf. Since the foursome played the best shot, I could learn while not hurting my team’s chances of winning the prestigious honor of having their names engraved on the Oley Humphreys trophy of first place winning teams. The Oley Humphreys Golf Tournament has provided me several Saturdays of exercise and fellowship in God’s great outdoors.” – Doyle White
“The Oley Humphreys Golf Tournament is a great outreach tool. A non-believer can feel more comfortable meeting church members on a non-threatening golf experience. This outreach is just one of the many types of hooks that are on our trout line of hooks for Jesus Christ. Many thanks to Bill Brant and Gary Tuggle for promoting it.” – Ken Ellis
“One of the reasons my family joined Central Baptist Church was because of the wonderful fellowship – not the meetings where finger foods were served, but the relationships between people. No matter what age group, there is someone who cares for each one of us, who enjoy spending time together … to share joys and frustrations. There is no better way to share joys and frustrations than during the Oley Humphreys Golf Tournament. I never knew Oley personally, but I understand that he loved the Lord and loved golf; what a great combination! Bill Brant and Gary Tuggle always strive to exemplify both of these qualities when organizing tournaments each year, and I (along with all who participate) appreciate their efforts. Here are some personal observations I have made, having played in several tournaments over the past 15 years: The tournament organizers strive for equity among all foursomes. The predicted winners seldom win! Those leading after nine seldom win. Its more fun to play when its warm and sunny. You ought to be able to make an 8-foot putt given four attempts, but often can’t. “I’d rather be lucky than good”. My foursome usually starts with a strategy to win, but by the ninth hole we are just trying to enjoy ourselves. The way we live our lives today can have an impact on others after we are gone. Thanks to Oley for setting a standard for us to follow and thanks to Bill and Gary for helping us to carry on the tradition.” – Ron Smith
“Please let me take this opportunity to express my thanks to Central Baptist Church and the golf group for honoring my husband, Oley, by naming the tournament in his honor. He would have been very proud and pleased with the honor. After his God and family came golf. To say he was an avid golfer would have been an understatement. To always show the loved of God and good sportsmanship were his goals in the game of life and golf. Special thanks, Caroline Humphreys.”
"It started in 1982 with my thought of having a Central Baptist church-wide golf tournament, to promote Christian fellowship and have fun together playing a good sport. My second thought was of naming the tournament and making it a special, annual event. The first name that came to mind was Oley Humphreys’. Oley loved the Lord, but he also loved golf!
Many of us at Central knew Oley had been an avid golfer and loved the sport tremendously. He played with the pros at several pro-am matches. Oley loved the game so much he played several times a week. After he retired from government service and RCA in 1973, he literally played up to 36 holes a day! He made it a point not to play on Sundays. Oley was also a devoted husband to his wife Caroline, and father to his two girls, Nancy and Pat. He loved our Lord and was a devoted member at Central. Caroline and Oley were also charter members at Central. They were also very active at church, serving in a lot of positions. Oley was formerly a Sunday School Director, Brotherhood Director, Church Training Director, and deacon. I remember he always sat in the same seat in the old auditorium (now the Fellowship Hall). That was HIS seat! Oley went to be with the Lord in 1979, so, with Caroline’s approval and blessing, we named our golf tournament “The Oley Humphreys Open”.
Since its inception in 1982, it has been held annually every year. In 1989 we started having it twice a year, dedicating it to Oley and I’m sure he is looking down on all of us with pleasure each and every time we play the tournament. I praise God to have had the pleasure of knowing Oley, even though it was only a few years. Keep on golfing, God bless..."
- Doc Kitzman
(The following are recollection from Gary Tuggle)
"Since I grew up at Central Baptist, I knew the Humphreys family because we always saw them at church. I was aware that Oley was a regular golfer, but I didn’t know to what extent. I knew him as a quiet, modest, unassuming person. One day he approached me and asked if I ever played golf. I told him no, but I played other sports such as softball, basketball, and volleyball. He tried to encourage me to take up golf. At the time I didn’t act that interested, but the very next time he saw me at church he came up to me and said, “I have something for you.” Oley took out of his car trunk a #1 wood driver and said, “Take a few swings.” Right there in the grass in front of the church, he taught me how to stand and grip the club and then said, “You keep that up and go hit a bucket of balls at the driving range and see how it feels to you.” Well, I tried it and got hooked on golf. I played a few times with rented clubs and then bought my own. I never put enough time and practice to be good at it, though. Neither do I play 18 holes that often, but I have never missed an Oley Humphreys Open Tournament in all these years.
Since Oley got me interested and started in golf, I, along with Bill Brant, have been continuing to organize and schedule the tournament ever since Doc Kitzman initiated it. As of this writing, I realized that only a few of us today knew who Oley Humphreys was and why the tournament is named after him. I am hopeful that when this history is written, it will be read and make many of the tournament participants aware of who Oley was and how this tournament came about."
- Gary Tuggle
(Comments from several who have participated in the tournament over the years)
“I have been playing golf in the Oley Humphreys Open from its inception. I really enjoy the fellowship that we have. Its great to have people come out and play that only play in these events. It is so good to carry on the memory of a great Christian that loved the Lord and loved to play golf. I hope to see the semi-annual event continue on in Oley’s memory.” – Ray Gates
“I began coming to Central Baptist Church in February of 1989. From past experience, I was a bit apprehensive of how my family and I would fit in. Shortly after we began attending, an invitation to a golf tournament came to me. I signed up for that Oley Humphreys tournament and received such a blessing in the fellowship by meeting such fine folks as Ray and Ruby Gates. Everyone has a great time at these outings, regardless of ability. My son played his first full round of golf because of the opportunity the tournament gave him. It won’t be long now before he starts teaching me! My hat’s off to Bill Brant and Gary Tuggle for their efforts in consistently organizing a wonderful event. This is an outing for the fellowship of our marvelous congregation and a chance to possibly witness to others. It is fun and joyful to be a follower of Christ.” – Rick Hile
“Before moving to Florida, I knew about Central’s golf tournament through my eldest son, Eric. He played a few times while a student at F.I.T. and afterward. After Maria and I moved here we joined the Christian community of Central Baptist. Of course, I was invited to participate in the Oley Humphreys Golf Tournament and have done so since 1987. Most of the time it has been the only opportunity to play the game in the year and, of course, it will show in the golf course and in the number of balls lost! There are some good memories of fellowship, participation, and special remembrances: an eagle shot in the ninth hole of Harbor City Golf Course one year and some great scores other times. At the top of the list has to be the time when, paired with my son, David, and Mr. Ed Klara and his wife, Alice, we were able to win the tournament. We opened with a birdie and Mr. Klara finished with a birdie, putting it in from the fringe that gave us the victory. I appreciate those fellow players that have teamed up together with me and forgiven my poor shots. All my sons, Eric, David, and Sammy, and also my nephew Arnold, have played in the tournaments, creating family reunions during those occasions. Good memories.” – Abe Medina
“The Oley Humphreys Golf Tournaments hold many wonderful memories. Perhaps the greatest is one that has occurred at each and every tournament we have held since its inception. This memory would be of the conflict between the course rangers and Gary Tuggle. No matter what his tee time, Gary inevitably slows play and creates quite the backup behind him. The ranger then drives all over the golf course trying to find Gary and speed him up. It has come to the point that all the various course rangers throughout the county call one another to alert the specific course as to Gary’s tee time. We have seen each of the rangers so often that we affectionately call them all “Ranger Bob”. The true highlight of each tournament is the fellowship we enjoy with one another and our Lord as we spend some four hours in His beautiful creation.” – Jerry Rowell
“One of the first times I played golf was in the Best Ball Tournament. I have been on one of the winning teams but I enjoy the fellowship most of all.” – Bobby Coleman
“Not only was Oley an avid golfer, he also had a library of golf books. This I know because Caroline was enough to give me a number of his books, all autographed. Most books were oldies but goodies. Never played a round with Oley but he comes to mind every time I read one of his books. Oley loved the Lord and his golf.” – Stan Cantrell
“I participated in the first Oley Humphreys Golf Tournament, the most recent one, and most of the ones in between. We’ve come in first and we’ve come in last, but the good Christian fellowship makes us all winners. Thanks to the organizers for these opportunities to fellowship with my church family.” – Sharron Deuel
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my times in the Oley Humphreys Golf Tournaments. The tournament is more than just golf; its fellowship and fun. The first years of my participation gave me wonderful opportunities to share common interests with men and women of the church whom I didn’t know very well. It allowed me to spend 3-4 hours joyfully sharing our ups (knowing the Lord) and our downs (bogeys on holes #4-7). In the latter years, I was able to share the tournament experience with my son. This was a highlight for me, to spend those hours with Nathan, time that could be focused on one another. Its been a pleasure that I will continue to participate in as I am able.” – Charlie Raab
“My remembrance of Oley are of a man that loved God, his family and his church, in that order. He was dedicated to all three. He also loved golf, but never let it interfere with his commitment to the church. When it was proposed that we have a golf tournament in honor of his memory, I thought it was the perfect opportunity for our church to pay tribute to Oley and the game he loved so dearly. Over the years his tournaments have provided fun, fellowship, and some friendships that will last for many years to come. Thanks, Oley!” – Bill Brant
“The Oley Humphreys Golf Tournament has always been a time of great Christian fellowship for me. Winning is not emphasized, but having fun is! I have always enjoyed this great event and look forward to many more.” – David Robinson
“It was in the Oley Humphreys Golf Tournament that I learned how to play (or play at) golf. Since the foursome played the best shot, I could learn while not hurting my team’s chances of winning the prestigious honor of having their names engraved on the Oley Humphreys trophy of first place winning teams. The Oley Humphreys Golf Tournament has provided me several Saturdays of exercise and fellowship in God’s great outdoors.” – Doyle White
“The Oley Humphreys Golf Tournament is a great outreach tool. A non-believer can feel more comfortable meeting church members on a non-threatening golf experience. This outreach is just one of the many types of hooks that are on our trout line of hooks for Jesus Christ. Many thanks to Bill Brant and Gary Tuggle for promoting it.” – Ken Ellis
“One of the reasons my family joined Central Baptist Church was because of the wonderful fellowship – not the meetings where finger foods were served, but the relationships between people. No matter what age group, there is someone who cares for each one of us, who enjoy spending time together … to share joys and frustrations. There is no better way to share joys and frustrations than during the Oley Humphreys Golf Tournament. I never knew Oley personally, but I understand that he loved the Lord and loved golf; what a great combination! Bill Brant and Gary Tuggle always strive to exemplify both of these qualities when organizing tournaments each year, and I (along with all who participate) appreciate their efforts. Here are some personal observations I have made, having played in several tournaments over the past 15 years: The tournament organizers strive for equity among all foursomes. The predicted winners seldom win! Those leading after nine seldom win. Its more fun to play when its warm and sunny. You ought to be able to make an 8-foot putt given four attempts, but often can’t. “I’d rather be lucky than good”. My foursome usually starts with a strategy to win, but by the ninth hole we are just trying to enjoy ourselves. The way we live our lives today can have an impact on others after we are gone. Thanks to Oley for setting a standard for us to follow and thanks to Bill and Gary for helping us to carry on the tradition.” – Ron Smith
“Please let me take this opportunity to express my thanks to Central Baptist Church and the golf group for honoring my husband, Oley, by naming the tournament in his honor. He would have been very proud and pleased with the honor. After his God and family came golf. To say he was an avid golfer would have been an understatement. To always show the loved of God and good sportsmanship were his goals in the game of life and golf. Special thanks, Caroline Humphreys.”