• Posted August 21, 2015

Engagement

After nearly 4 years of dating and 50+ rounds of golf together, we got engaged!

On Friday, August 21, 2015, Kevin and I were out playing a practice round at The Bridges in Winona for a two-day TRGA tournament we were participating in the following day. After finishing #18 with pars and we were walking off the green when Kevin pulled me aside and reflected on the day and talked about the upcoming tournament… providing words of encouragement to help me through the next couple of days. He then turned me around and I found Kevin on one knee, holding a ring, which I had no idea he had! How perfect for us to have our engagement on a golf course and on a course we both so enjoy playing!

We thought the 18th green was secluded in a valley below the course restaurant and that we were in our little private bubble. However, little did we know, as we were driving up the hill, we saw three individuals cheering in the window - how fun!! After putting the clubs away and parking the cart, the course pro - a friend through the TRGA, was waiting, wondering how the day went. Kevin gave a deadpan response that was greeted with a response that told us the gig was up. The pro had been notified by the restaurant manager in the hopes he would know "the couple who just got engaged" on the 18th green. After the pro introduced us to the manager, the manager asked if we would be staying for dinner. He also informed us that a bottle of Champagne was being chilled… which we later learned had been purchased by the family we saw in the window - very sweet! At the conclusion of dinner, as we were handed a dessert menu, we learned the house was also picking up our tab for the evening so the server encouraged us to get dessert!

The following day was the start of a 2-day tournament and it didn't take long for news to travel about our engagement! Fast-forward to the awards banquet on Sunday evening, the Executive Director of the TRGA thanked the sponsors, golfers, and courses, and then he concluded by saying "Let me tell you how to get a free meal at The Bridges…" and proceeded to recap our story from Friday evening. The banquet concluded with The Bridges course pro presenting us with the flag from the 18th green!