By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Herb Page was the men’s golf coach for 41 years of the Kent State University men’s team. When he first started, he realized he needed money to take care of the athletes on the team, expand the schedule and take care of financial challenges.

Enter Rich and Dennis Rango.

Dennis had been a teammate of Herb Page’s on the men’s golf team from 1969-1972. Rich played baseball for the Golden Flashes from 1966-70.

“Rich Rango is one of my best friends 54 years after meeting him,” said Herb Page, who met the KSU athlete on his first day at Kent.

Thanks to the Rango brothers, the 37th Rango Invitational took over the fairways at Windmill Lakes for an outing that ultimately raised $70,000 for the Kent State golf teams, both men’s and women’s, in one day.

“Thirty-seven years later, it is unbelievable what we have been able to do to take care of the athletes,” said Page. “We are closing in on 1 million dollars raised.
“The Rango brothers helped us to expand our travel budget, tournament play and give to our student-athletes, both men and women on the golf team,” explained Page.

And people in the community support the Rango.

During the event, both the women’s and men’s golf teams greet everyone and help with the event.

Everything boosts the support for Kent State golf, including the auction at the end of the event.

“I can’t think everyone enough for their continued support of the Kent State championship golf teams,” said retired coach Herb Page.