Grand Traverse golf pro inducted into UP Sports Hall of Fame

This week saw the induction of several standout sportsmen and women into the Upper Peninsula Hall of Fame, including representatives from national, regional and local teams and a wide array of sports--and a local golf professional, Scott Hebert of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.

Ten people who have made significant contributions to the advancement of sports in the U.P. through individual or community accomplishments were honored, after being chosen by the Hall of Fame's executive council. They were inducted April 23 in Escanaba, Hebert's hometown.

The inductees were: William Denton (Dolly) Gray, of Houghton; Alan Kimichik, of Norway; Jeff Nault, of Escanaba; Scott Weaver, of Sault Ste. Marie; Sara Boyer, of Rapid River; Kris (Bullock) Dunbar, of Sault Ste. Marie; Scott Hebert, of Escanaba; Jan Quarless, of Iron River; the late Dave Freeman, of Iron Mountain and Marquette; and John Flanagan, of Escanaba.

Hebert is a six-time Michigan Open golf champion, and won the PGA Professional National Championship in 2008 and won five matches for the U.S. team at the PGA Cup 2009 championship. In his high school days, Hebert also played basketball and baseball. He is currently head golf pro at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City.

"To be recognized as an outstanding athlete from Michigan's Upper Peninsula and inducted into the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame is an honor," Hebert says. "Although I stood at the podium alone, I could not have had the same level of success without the help of family, friends and coaches. Normally this is an honor reserved for the conclusion of a career; I hope to continue my career success in the future."

Boyer and Dunbar were honored for their contributions to women's basketball and all-around athletic accomplishments.

Flanagan was a national and international ice skating performer, with credits like "Hollywood Ice Revue," "IceCapades," and "Stars on Ice." Freeman was a record-setting ski jumper, national ski champion and college football standout.

Gray pitched for the American League's Washington Nationals from 1909 to 1911, and followed it with nine years in the minor leagues of baseball.

Kimichik and Nault were all-star football players with college and professional careers, while Quarless was a NCAA football coach for 27 years, and an NFL Europe coach.

Weaver was a hockey star for Sault Ste. Marie, who played all-American baseball for University of Michigan, Junior A hockey for the Minot, N.D. Americans, and was drafted by the Tigers in 1995.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Scott Hebert, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa