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ARCHBOLD.ORG •
WINTER 2014
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director for each of the 20 Archbold Classic tournaments since the first one
in 1995.
“Dad would have been very proud to see the Classic turn 20,” says Clay
Campbell, Archbold Health Services president and son of Cliff Campbell. “He
was very much an Archbold supporter in all areas. He knew how important
Archbold was for Thomasville. When he and Pat started talking about a tourna-
ment, I’m not sure they ever imagined how well it would do. It was actually Pat’s
idea—he had seen other people do tournaments that were successful fundrais-
ers. My dad was retired and had time to help work on the idea. But you have got
to give credit to Don Demsher, Bill Connally and the original golf committee that
took the idea, developed it and promoted it to get where we are today.”
A local treasure
The decision to hold the tournament at Glen Arven was obvious: Glen Arven
had a very rich history in hosting golf tournaments.
Middleton says that many people may not realize it, but Glen Arven used to
be a regular tour stop on the PGA Tour.
“Back in the mid 1930’s, the Thomasville Open became part of the PGA
Tour’s ‘Southern Swing.’ Some of the day’s top players made Thomasville
and Glen Arven a regular stop on the tour, including legendary players like
Gene Sarazen, Henry Picard, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead and Ben Hogan,”
explains Middleton. “The Piney Woods Invitational, the oldest amateur
tournament in the South, is another great legacy of Glen Arven. The Piney
Woods was first played in 1919 and continues today with a strong field of
amateur players from all over the South.”
“Founded in 1892, Glen Arven is one of the oldest courses in the
United States and has played host to several dignitaries of note over
the years,” says Middleton. “President Eisenhower was a frequent visitor
and enjoyed playing the course while in town hunting with his friends
George Humphrey and Jock Whitney.”
The course’s classic layout, which has recently undergone a complete
preservation by noted golf course architect Bob Cupp, is also a draw for
professionals and amateurs alike.
Through the years, many local amateurs have played with future and
former well-known professionals in the tournament, including Chris
at
The first Archbold Classic raised $35,000 for
the Archbold Foundation. Since 1995, the
tournament has raised more than $1 million to
sustain the scholarship program.
William and Kathie Johnstone
provided a trick shot exhibition for
guests at the 2004 Archbold Classic.
The winning team from the
1995 Archbold Classic.
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