By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

This is a story I have wanted to write for several years, but honestly, getting a handle on the outstanding accomplishments of Herb Page in one telling is almost impossible.

The accomplished player, outstanding coach, popular and successful golf-course manager and owner, Halls of Fame inductee and advisor to golf professionals and amateurs truly warrants a book.

Well, actually, probably many books.

But having known Herb since he was a football kicker, golfer and hockey player at Kent State University in the 1970s, it is a story I looked forward to sharing.

Page came to Kent State in 1970 as a three-sport athlete.

Herb Page during his days as a Kent State football kicker.

Think about that: A three-sport athlete at a Division-I university.

Page earned four varsity letters in golf, two varsity letters in football and two varsity letters in ice hockey.

A captain on the golf team, a kicker during two of the most successful seasons in Kent State history and a member of a hockey team that drew crowds to the Kent State Ice arena on the campus, it seemed that Page was destined to spend his life in Kent after arriving as a recruit from Canada.

His playing days were memorable, but everything he has done for Kent State University and Northeast Ohio following his academic degrees (Bachelor’s and Graduate) have created an amazing, positive effect on the sport of golf as well as the entire community.

From the time he was an undergraduate, through being a graduate assistant with Frank Truitt, basketball coach moonlighting as a golf coach, and ultimately becoming the head coach of the golf program, Page has only improved Northeast Ohio with his impact, relationships and contributions.

If you play golf, take lessons, watch or compete in tournaments, your golf life has been touched by Herb Page.

KENT STATE GOLF

It isn’t often that a coach can become a positive influence over the entire communities that are cheering for him and the team, but Page has managed that.

Herb Page (right) caddies for Ben Curtis at the 2003 British Open.

Not only did he own the sport at Kent State as a player, he has recruited and encouraged players that fans can celebrate as our own and players who have also made a difference throughout the area.

When one of the professional tours is broadcast, Kent State fans can find one of many former standouts to cheer for.

Ian Holt, Chase Johnson, Corey Conners.

Taylor Pendrith, Mackenzie Hughes, Ryan Yip.

Bryan DeCorso and at one point Ben Curtis.

Just this month, Connors competed in the Grant Thornton Invitational that featured a 32-player field with 16 PGA and 16 LPGA professionals. Connors teamed up with fellow Canadian native Brooke Henderson to finish fourth overall in the one-of-a-kind tournament.

To turn on the television or visit a pro tournament and be able to follow a local, accomplished athlete is rare.

Kent State and Herb Page have provided that opportunity, including Curtis’ unbelievable victory at the British Open in 2003 that was a whirlwind story throughout professional golf.

Curtis’ win, which is now 21 years old, was also historical, because he became the first professional golfer since 1913 to win a Major championship in their first attempt.

IMPACT ON NORTHEAST OHIO

While watching golf professionals on tour with a local connection is always fun, the Kent State golfers that have graduated from the program that Herb Page grew to importance have made a huge difference in their communities.

Winning the British Open is not the only thing that defines BEN CURTIS.

He and his wife, Candace, a member of the first Kent State University women’s varsity golf team, are making inroads into the food insufficiency of students in Northeast Ohio.

The Ben and Candace Curtis Foundation provides Birdie Bags to students to take home on weekends, as well as holiday dinners and gifts for students in need across the greater Portage County area.

“No child should worry about when they’ll get their next meal,” states the Ben Curtis Family Foundation.

DAVID GRIFFITH played for Herb Page at Kent State University from 1992 to 1996 at a time when Kent State established a reputation on the national stage.

Herb Page (right) stands with David Griffith.

Griffith competed on three Mid-American Conference championship teams and advanced to regional championships four straight years.

Griffith is now the Executive Director of the Northern Ohio PGA and responsible for NOPGA professional tournaments, as well as numerous junior tournaments each summer, including the Kenny Novak Championship, among others.

The opportunities for both youth and adults have expanded during Griffth’s tenure as executive director.

He was named executive director in 2020 following the retirement of Dominic Antenucci and junior tournament director Eileen Antenucci. Griffith advanced to the position after spending 20 years as the tournament director.

Junior and adult golfers can attest to his influence, not only with the NOPGA, but also as a rules official with the OHSAA for state and regional tournaments and other additional professional tournaments.

Every junior or adult competitor in Northern Ohio — and beyond — knows Griffith and have experienced his impact on the sport of golf and its growth.

STEVE PARKER competed for Kent State University under Herb Page, graduating in 1990. Parker is the director of golf at Portage County Club and recently earned his PGA Master Professional status and is a member of the Northern Ohio PGA Hall of Fame.

ROB MOSS competed for Herb Page after graduating from Padua High School in 1986 and earned Academic All-American status in both 1989 and 1990. Moss was inducted this year into the Northern Ohio PGA Hall of Fame, joining his coach in the prestigious recognition. He has been a head golf professional at Pepper Pike Golf Club, while winning numerous Ohio Opens, as well as qualifying for three PGA National Championships.

JON MILLS has returned to Kent State University as the head coach of the Golden Flashes following Herb Page’s retirement, continuing the excellence of the program.

The list of alumni goes on and on as professionals like Randy Dietz, a Kent State and Kent Roosevelt alumni is one of the top teachers in Ohio and the Windmill Golf Center; Ned Weaver is an instructor at Windmill Golf Center, and many sales reps and others helping golfers become better thanks to their start at Kent State University under Herb Page and continuing to work in the sport they love.

A QUALITY PROGRAM

Page knew when he became the head coach of the Golden Flashes that he wanted to make golf a quality program and compete among top teams in the NCAA.

To do that, he needed money for scholarships and to advance the sport.

Enter people like the Rango brothers, Rich and Dennis, who have sponsored and run tournaments for 37 years to support the Kent State program.

“Dennis was my teammate at Kent State,” said Page. “The Rango keeps getting bigger and bigger and subsidizes our budgets.

“It helps us take care of our student-athletes with scholarships, travel budget and everything we need to be a quality program,” added Page.

And the excellence continues as Mills, now in his sixth year as the Flashes’ coach, has continued the tradition, winning five MAC championships.

The Rango family joins Herb Page on the 10th hole prior to tee off in the Rango.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH QUALITY PEOPLE

That is what Herb Page said, but he is also living it.

People like former Kent State athletic director Laing Kennedy, who was a notable mentor of Pages.

To the late Emilio Ferrara and the Ferrara Family, who made Windmill Lakes Golf Course possible as not only a public course but a quality course, where the Kent State team could compete and still does.

The facility made it so that the Flashes’ program could practice all year round — even in Ohio’s long winter months.

On the day I interviewed Herb for this story, Kent State had players scheduled for six tee times at Windmill Lakes — further evidence that Page is still regularly surrounded by Flashes.

AN AMAZING LEGACY

Page coached at Kent State for 41 years, starting as a graduate assistant and continuing until his retirement in the spring of 2019.

He is still very involved, following the team, making sure they can practice at Windmill Lakes Golf Club.

He talks about former players, many of them and often, including Dr. Doug Hansel or Dan Miller, VP of Timken.

At the Kent State Golf Facility, photos surround the men and women golfers, including the numerous MAC champions and other notable moments and traditions that are connected to the program’s deep history of success. Both the men’s and women’s teams remain the goal of all other teams to beat in the MAC.

THE INTERVIEW

When I called Herb to ask if I could interview him instead of our regular chit chat in the shop, he gave me a time he could be at the golf course after he and his wife Paula walked their dog. Dr. Paula Treckel is also an alumnus of Kent State University.

Herb Page and his wife Paula.

Going through scrapbooks, books and historical memorabilia, it was obvious that Herb had hours of memories he could share.

I, as the journalist, would probably miss a few people that he might wish were in this story because, as he said, he has always surrounded himself with excellence.

Herb has hosted numerous tournaments over the years at Windmill Lakes, statewide tournaments as one of the best public golf courses in Ohio.

And, on a personal note, I have had the privilege of benefitting from his knowledge, especially when I became the Portage County Amateur’s tournament director. The tournament will be in its 95th year this season and has expanded to four tournaments: Amateur, Senior, Junior and Kids, in the past 20 years.

Page’s valuable opinions, suggestions and knowledge have helped to make the tournaments the success that they are.

AWARDS

Herb Page has been inducted into numerous Halls of Fame including.

His most recent award was from the Northern Ohio PGA as Merchandiser of the Year for a public course.

That was just the most recent.

Page’s list of accomplishments includes:

• 23 Mid-American Conference Championships
• 28 NCAA Regional appearances
• 18 NCAA appearances at the NCAA national championships
• Three NCAA Regional titles
• Top-10 national finishes in 2000, 2008, 2012 and 218
• Coach of the international team at the 2018 Arnold Palmer Cup.
• Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame
• Northern Ohio PGA Hall of Fame
• Northern Ohio Golf Association Hall of Fame
• Ontario Golf Hall of Fame
• Golf Coaches of America Labron Harri Award
• 24 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year awards

THE TRADITION CONTINUES

Liam Curtis (center) with his parents Ben and Candace Curtis on his National Signing Day. The Kent Roosevelt graduate will compete for the Golden Flashes’ men’s golf team.

Liam Curtis, son of Ben and Candace Curtis, announced his verbal commitment and ultimately signed his Letter of Intent to attend Kent State University to play golf in the fall of 2025 after his graduation from Kent Roosevelt High School.

“Proud day for us,” offered Candace Curtis.

It is a continuation of the family atmosphere, as well as the excellence that Page encouraged on the varsity golf team while coaching.

It is a tradition that also continues at Windmill Lakes Golf Club as things like the annual Tent Sale, the KSU Rango Golf Outing and numerous tournaments and outings continue to flourish on the course where, at any given time, golfers will see Herb Page still a part of the sport he loves.