(Grand Rapids)—Former Michigan State University golfer Joan Garety of Rockford is among a group of six sports figures who was inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame on August 24. The occasion marks the second such induction ceremony for Garety, who was inducted into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 2005.
Garety has competed in amateur events in Michigan and throughout the country since her graduation from Michigan State. She is a longtime member and 13-time club champion at Egypt Valley Country Club in suburban Ada.
"Joan has always been a great credit to women’s golf in Michigan and throughout the country," said Steve Pastoor, general manager at Egypt Valley. "She’s been the benchmark for women’s golf here for 25 years and an inspiration to so many young players who have gone on to success in golf." Pastoor’s comments were affirmed by Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, the current Michigan State women’s golf coach. "Growing up at the same club and having the opportunity to watch Joan compete really demonstrated to me what it took to be a great player, as well as an ambassador for the game," she says. "Every player I recruit today at Michigan State knows about Joan, and many still compete against her in tournaments throughout the state and region."
Garety is a two-time Michigan Amateur champion and has captured the Grand Rapids women’s championship nine times. More recently she’s competed as a player and team captain the Founders Challenge, a team event for outstanding amateur golfers in west Michigan.
"Being recognized by the Hall of Fame in my hometown is both humbling and wonderful," said Garety. "I’m a big sports fan myself, so to see my name up there with the likes of President Gerald Ford, Mickey Stanley, Greg Meyer and Marion Ladewig is an honor I will always treasure!"
At her induction ceremony Garety was welcomed into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame with two other former Big Ten sports stars: Ty Hallock, who played at Michigan State before going on to a career in the National Football League, as well as Brent Gates, a former Big Ten baseball MVP at the University of Minnesota who played seven seasons in the American League. Other inductees include wheelchair basketball star Lee Montgomery, Hope College basketball coach Glenn VanWieren and longtime college sports official and baseball coach Tom Hofmann.
Contact:
Tom Cleary
(616) 915-4267
tjcleary@aol.com
Terry Moore
(616) 247-1931
tmoore@usxchange.net
