Jack Kerins enters Tri-State PGA Hall of Fame

That grand old man of the links, the one who perhaps has done more than any other in the promotion and development of the game in the Shenango Valley, received his due.
Jack Kerins, who initiated just about every phase of golf the game has to offer, was inducted into the Tri-State PGA Hall of Fame at the association's Champions of Golf Banquet at Montour Heights Country Club. It was a great tribute to a very nice man.
The spotlight did not belong to Jack alone, however, as his son, John, the Director of Golf at Tam O'Shanter, was honored as the Tri-State Public Merchandiser of the Year. Sharon Country Club pro Denny Dolci was named the Tri-State Golf Professional of the Year.
John and Denny participate in Tri-State play throughout the summer. The two have shown their mettle many times. John has picked up a strong following, too, as the coach of the powerful Kennedy Catholic High golf team.
Also honored were Kennedy Catholic freshman golfers Michael Klaric and David Hutchison, who were presented age group awards as the Kings Family Restaurant/Pepsi Tri-State Section PGA Junior Players of the Year.
Originated women's golf league
Jack Kerins, 93, has been credited with launching the first women's golf league in the area, and it was through his tenacious efforts that The Herald/Tam O'Shanter Junior Golf Championships was initiated. It is still one of the most eagerly anticipated junior golf events of the season.
He was instrumental in bringing a number of golf's best players to the area for exhibitions. Sam Snead came to Tamie and treated the crowd to a blazing 65, the course record. Kerins also brought in a number of others, including Lew Worshan and Bob Toski and a number of LPGA players, namely Betsy Rawls and Patty Berg.
Kerins' personality has won him many friends down through the years. He was a 1987 inductee into the Mercer County Hall of Fame and has been named the Mercer County Jaycees Man of the Year. He was also named the YDAGA's Golf Professional of the Year.
A breakfast meeting
It was a few years ago that my wife and I were out for breakfast following Sunday church services. We greeted Jack and his wife, Mary Lou, and continued on to our seating. A few minutes later, Jack approached and asked us to come over to his table. "There's someone I want you to meet, Ray," he said, as he introduced us to Sally O'Leary, then a key participant in the Pittsburgh Pirates promotions department. We have been friends since.
That's the kind of personality Jack possesses, always attempting to help out in any way possible. That's why he is loved by so many, and why his golf course is one of the finest the state has to offer. He has surrounded himself with great people, people who admire him and think highly of him. It truly is a family affair at Tamie.
Coaching plateaus
There have been several coaching milestones reached recently in the area, one in the collegiate ranks, the other on the high school level.
Westminster volleyball coach Tammy Swearingen earned her 300th career coaching victory Sept. 27 at Buzz Ridl Gymnasium, as the Titans opened Presidents' Athletic Conference play with a 30-17, 30-23, 30-15 sweep of Thiel. Swearingen, in her 13th season at Westminster, has a coaching record of 300-151 (.665).
Lakeview (Pa.) High's cross country coach, Jack Cress, hit the 500-win plateau recently in a seven-team meet at Union City. Cress' record was recorded in boys track, girls and boys cross country and girls basketball.