Some 23 years ago, a long-standing golf fundraiser was dubbed the “Owatonna Football Golf Classic.” 

While still in its infancy, the event ultimately evolved into its current iteration and eventually renamed the “Ken Bey Football Golf Classic” in memory of former Owatonna High School football assistant coach, Ken Bey.

Recently-inducted MFCA Hall-of-Famer, and current OHS football head coach, Jeff Williams, has nothing but fond memories when speaking about coach Bey and recalls his rare communication skills that resonated with student-athletes of every size, shape, background, skill and strength. 

“Ken Bey was on the committee when I interviewed for the head (football) coaching job,” Williams said.  “He was a behind the scenes, a real players coach. He was the assistant coach that was going to put his arm around a kid when they were struggling. He was a tough-nut — former marine — that had a way of forming great relationships with the kids.”

Added event organizer and OHS assistant coach, Marc Wiese:  “When Ken passed away, we were in the middle of two-a-days. Jeff (Williams) made it a point to have all of the players and coaches at that time go over to the funeral service and stand in the balcony at Trinity (Lutheran Church) with their uniforms on to pay their respects to the late Ken Bey.”

While Wiese has been at the helm as the coordinator of the fundraiser since its inception, he was quick to mention a core group of individuals who have been instrumental in helping sculpt the competition into what it is today. 

“Jerry Urness, Gary Ridge, Ed Draheim and Ken Bey were really the first group of pioneers to help with this fundraiser,” he said.  “In our first year, we had 75 golfers and in year two we had 108 players.  In the third year, we had a full tournament of groups and have been full ever since.  Some years, we have had as many as 160 golfers.”

Similar to a football team’s weekly game plan and regular playbook, Wiese has refined an ultra-effective strategy when it comes to planning and organizing the annual Ken Bey Classic, distilling the process down to a science and breaking things down into manageable phases.

Like the longtime offensive line coach that he is, Wiese understands how to go through his progressions, when to forge ahead with a good idea, yet knows how to pivot when needed. Though the initial planning stages commence sometime during the winter months, it’s isn’t until around early-April when the process gains momentum and Wiese begins implementing the the final phase in the yearlong operation, focusing much of his efforts on communicating with the previous year’s participants while balancing various other operational functions of the planning process. By the time May rolls around, he shifts gears and hones in on securing registration forms to ensure each spot remains locked-in for the upcoming event. 

The Ken Bey Classic has grown immensely over the last couple decades and has become so popular that an official waitlist was recently implemented to placate the ever-expanding list of prospective golfers that simply couldn’t squeeze into the field for the upcoming competition. 

As for this year’s field, Wiese recently confirmed that there will be 152 golfers slated to hit the course when the festivities get underway on Saturday, July 13 at Brooktree Golf Course in Owatonna.

According to Williams — who habitually calls the par-3, hole No. 12 home for the duration of the event and manages the “closest to the pine” contest — the 8 a.m. registration and 10 a.m. shotgun start makes for a busy, yet special, afternoon on the course. 

“Early on, we had a lot of financial needs within the football program,” Williams said. “This event has been an excellent fundraiser as well as a great way to stay connected with former players who have gratitude for what the football program has provided.”

Although the tournament is played on a Saturday, the festivities actually kick off the night before at The Eagles Club dozens of players gather for a Calcutta Draft and, of course, some “friendly banter” as Wiese puts it.

Both Wiese and Williams conveyed the importance of how much the Ken Bey Classic has contributed to the overall vitality of Owatonna football program, allowing the booster club to outfit the players with the latest, greatest and safest protective gear while simultaneously offering a one-of-a-kind prep football experience for everyone involved. 

“This fundraiser helps towards us having 16 helmets for our players that NFL players like Patrick Mahomes wears,” Williams said.  “They are five-star rated helmets for safety. We also have a team dinner every week that really helps the kids and coaches bond off the field as well.”

Personally, having played in this tournament for many years, I can attest to how elite this outing truly is.  It is well organized, a fun environment and benefits a great cause. 

From April to July, Wiese has continued reading his progressions successfully.  This event is a well-oiled machine that will continue helping Owatonna football thrive for many years to come

We are poised and ready for another deep postseason run on the gridiron in 2024 – stay tuned.

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JOE FOLEY UPDATE: Long Drive Competitor Joe Foley has qualified for the Ultimate Long Drive World Event.  He will battle against competitors from several countries at the end of the summer when he heads to West Columbia, SC on September 25-28.

JAMES BRITTAIN UPDATE: James Brittain, 9, from Owatonna is off to a strong start in his slate of events through the PGA Minnesota Junior Golf ‘Sota Series. He has started the summer victorious in both of his events thus far.

Until next month, hit ‘em long and straight – and most of all have fun!