By Carol Miklos

Showing their support for architecture student education, players comprising 15 teams turned out for the Annual AIA Vermont Guy W. Teschmacher Memorial Golf Tournament on September 18 at Vermont’s Williston Country Club. Architects, engineers, building materials manufacturers, and others from across New England honed their drives while raising funds for the Hanne N. Williams Scholar Recognition Fund.

Architects John Hemmelgarn and Jim Drummond of Black River Design Architects paid tribute to their former colleague, Guy Teschmacher, before the players took to the course. 

"This event brings together two things Guy was passionate about: promoting the architectural profession and golf," said Drummond. "Guy’s efforts on behalf of the profession included tireless service to AIAVT, going into schools to teach kids about architecture, and mentoring the younger architects he worked with, including me. His love of golf began in childhood and came back in full force in his later years. His enthusiasm was infectious and as a result he was one of the instigators for this event that now bears his name. Enjoy this beautiful day and try to hit some good balls: that’s the best way to remember Guy."

Throughout the day, the Golf Committee (John Dale, AIA, Bread Loaf Corporation, co-chair; Catherine Lange, Assoc. AIA, Freeman French Freeman, co-chair; Diem-Chi Nguyen, Guillot Vivian Viehmann; and Todd Fitch, Exterus) and volunteer Lisa Rovner, AIA, Rovner Architectural Designs, performed a variety of tasks including registration, gift bag distribution, string sales, putting contest management, and in some cases team participation—all of which contributed to ensure a successful event.

Event participant David Epstein, AIA, Truex Cullins Architecture, said “What a great time playing with old colleagues and meeting new ones! Glad to support the scholarship fund this way. I’m looking forward to next year!”

AIA member Adam Ginsburg had similar positive sentiments about the day. “I found the golf tournament to be a lovely opportunity to spend time with old friends, in a beautiful place, outside, on a gorgeous day—all for a noble cause in honor of a good man.”

While being a serious golfer is in no way a requirement for this tournament, fine playing was in evidence. A team made up of Pella Windows’ Bob Betz and his colleagues captured the first place team award with a score of 58. Second and third place teams couldn’t have been closer. Both shot 59 on the course; the organizers had to look at their scores on the back nine for a tiebreaker. Again, they were tied. The second place team was one stroke ahead on the final six holes, awarding them the prize. The second place team award went to Fitch and his team and the third place team was led by Jesse Beck, AIA, Freeman French Freeman. Eileen Hee, AIA, Maclay Architects, took home the Women’s Longest Drive, Allen Spencer won the Men’s Longest Drive, and Pete Kelley, DEW Construction; Justus Cameron, and Matt Wheaton were recognized for the Closest to the Pin contest. Betz and Hee captured the Putting Contest honors.

This year’s event generated several thousand dollars for the Scholar Recognition Fund.  Much appreciated support came from Underwriter Window & Doors By Brownell, Dinner Sponsor Poole Professional Ltd., Lunch Sponsor Axis Lighting, and a host of other sponsors and contributors.

AIAVT is deeply appreciative to everyone that helped grow the Scholar Recognition Fund this year. Special thanks to Guy’s son, Alex Teschmacher, for his graphic design services; to Michael Hoffman, AIA, for photography duties.

The funds from the tournament allow AIAVT to recognize promising students at Norwich University and Vermont Technical College as well as Vermont high school seniors accepted into collegiate architecture programs.