No other golfer in Rice Lake has ever created the excitement that Don did when he emerged onto the golf scene at the Hi-Dale Golf Course (now Turtleback) when he was only 15 years old. Golfing against men of all ages, the freshman won the “Short-Stop” Golf Tournament and the Junior Division of the Presidents Cup at Hi-Dale. He finished 13 strokes off the winning score in the WI State Amateur Tournament and 15 strokes off the winning score in the State Jaycee’s Junior Golf Tournament. As a sophomore Don repeated as champion of the “Short-Stop” Tournament and as champion of the Junior Division of the Presidents Cup. As a 16-year-old he finished 2nd in the WI State Amateur Junior Bracket and was ranked 5th among Wisconsin’s Amateur Golfers. As a 17-year-old Don tied for top honors in the State Jaycees Golf Tournament and was invited to golf in the International Jaycee’s Golf Tournament. In 1965 he repeated as champion of the Rice Lake Open Tournament. Don graduated from Rice Lake High School in 1965. He finished high school with 15 medalist honors and on May 26, 1965 he shot a 4 under par “31” at Hi-Dale for a school record that still stands today after 49 years. The Warrior golf team went to State all four years where they finished 12th in 1964 and 20th in 1965 when all teams were in one class. As an individual, Don finished 3rd at State as a junior, 4 strokes behind the leader and as a senior he placed 6th overall. In 1964 the Warriors finished 10 and 0 in dual competition and were the Ho’N Champions. In 1966 Don competed in 10 golf tournaments, winning 5 of them. In back-to-back weeks, Don won the prestigious Chippewa Valley Golf Association (CVGA), Ladysmith Open and the Wissota Open in Chippewa Falls. After serving 4 years in the U.S. Air Force, Don returned to Rice Lake. In 1972 he led the UW-BC Chargers to the Collegiate Golf Conference State Championship. Don retired in 2002 after 25 years of service with the Rice Lake School District. Don and his wife Judy reside in Rice Lake.