In honor of our 46th Annual Oh! Susannah Tournament, we wanted to spotlight one of our amazing members and organizers Pat Smejkal.
The tournament started in 1979 and honored Susan Williams, who worked at the old Woodford Bank. Smejkal said she wasn’t too involved when it first began and joked that she didn’t play too much golf back then. Originally, she said it was titled “Hello Dolly Oh Susannah.” When Susan passed away, she said they decided to name it after her.
"Her son was deeply involved and it just went on for years,” Smejkal said. “I didn’t play too much in it when I was working. When I retired, then I got recruited to help with it. Edith Cable and I worked on it a lot.”
Smejkal really started working a lot more on the tournament in the 90s, but over the years she’s seen some change.
“It used to be so well attended that I had to turn people away, which got me in trouble with a few people,” Smejkal laughed. “That’s the way it goes!”
She said lately, they’ve been able to accommodate all the players who want to join. She said she recognizes many people who play at The Woodford Club in the summertime as well as people who play in other central Kentucky events.
The Oh! Susannah tournament is unique in many ways, but Smejkal said it’s the people who really make it special.
“It’s always been for all players because Susan Williams was a high handicap, so we want everybody to be able to play,” she said.
She recalls golfers around the area always asking about the tournament and how they can join.
“Everyone want it, so we keep doing it!” Smejkal said. “It’s fun. We don’t get too serious about our golf!”
Thank you to Pat for continuing such a longstanding tradition and being such a great member here at The Woodford Club!
