The Kemp Open was started "officially" in 1992 as a way to have some fun with fellow co-workers outside the work environment. Previous to 1992 we had many un-official golf outings mostly within the drafting department at the time. Initially we actually had both a "Spring" and "Fall" classic. The Spring Classic was organized by Eric Schmedeke while I (Dominic Kemp) organized the Fall Classic. Through the Years Eric became less interested in Golf and more in Trout fishing that he eventually stopped doing the Spring Classic in 1992. Beginning in 1992 I thus changed the name to the Kemp Open rather than the Fall Classic and began inviting more people including family, friends and co-workers. Within the last couple of years the number of participants have increased reaching an all time high of approx. 80 people (mostly from John Deere). The main reason I feel that it has become increasingly popular is the same reason I started it in 1992; it was a way to have fun with co-workers without it being a John Deere sponsored event and not having to be politically correct....Oh and also taking a half day off work. Initially we could just show up at Irv Warren without reserving tee times but as the participants increased I needed to send in a form to Waterloo Leisure services to request an outing at the course. The early tournament tee times started at Noon so that most people who played in it could take half days and still play. As more and more people began playing in the last few years I needed to change this to 11:00am with the last tee time at 1:00 (20 tee times) so that all teams could get finished before the sun set (5:30-6:00). I was asked by Leisure Services this year (2006) if I would be interested in having a shotgun start (I will need to look into this for 2007).
In the earlier years I would round up prizes from many local business (see list below) for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place along with flag events. As time has gone by and my kids have started to get more involved with Sports I have just not had enough time to round up prizes in the last couple of years.
After the tournament finishes everyone along with those who may not have been able to golf are invited to the Kemp Mansion for a bonfire and to have food catered in from my favorite restaurant Carlos O'Kellys. Tim Conley, the manager at the Cedar Falls Carlos O'Kellys has been providing the catering for as long as I can remember (I can't remember if he started in 1992 or when this began). Tim has been kind enough to donate the food each year. In the last couple of years we have been asking for donations for the food which we apply to are kids school (Sacred Heart School) technology fund.
Tim Conley
Thanks Tim for your help in making the Kemp Open a great success!!!!
Previous event sponsors have also included:
Mama Nicks
Carlos O'Kellys
Fitzgeralds
Old Country Buffet
Famous Dave's
Steamboat Gardens
The Other Place
The Ground Round
Carlos O'Kelly's
Dominic