Athlete of the Week: Dan Wenstrup

Dan Wenstrup has completed a goal that leaves him “in rare company,” according to Golf Digest Magazine. In December, Wenstrup finished the Golf Digest Presents America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses – 1987 list, by playing on all 100 golf courses featured.

Although the list has changed over the years, Wenstrup stuck with his 1987 list, and his children bought him a plaque two years ago so that he could keep track of all the courses he had played. His final course was the Riviera County Club, in Los Angeles, which he played Dec. 10. (Don't forget to check out the video below!)

When did you start playing golf?
I basically didn’t start to play until after I was in the service because I played football, basketball and baseball through high school, and I didn’t think sports like golf and tennis were very interesting.

When did you start playing courses on the list?
It wasn’t until 1987 that I really got serious about trying to keep track of the courses I had played. I actually played the first course on the list, which was Boyne Highlands, in Michigan, in 1968. So, it’s taken 42 years to complete playing the top-100 courses.

Do you have a favorite course?
My favorite course has got to be Augusta, where, of course, the Masters is played. That’s the only golf course where the hair stood up on the back of my neck when I stood on the first tee, because of the prestige of Augusta and having the opportunity to play that golf course was really special.

Do you have a favorite hole?
That’s an easy one! In 1980 I was playing one of the top-100 courses — Oakland Hills, in Birmingham, Mich., and I had a hole-in-one on the ninth hole, which is a 205-yard, par 3. So, that is the most special hole in my 100 courses.

Contact Rachel S. O'Hara at [email protected]