INDUCTEES HUMBLED TO JOIN NOGA HALL OF FAME

Standing over a four-foot winning putt, speaking in front of a larger group of peers or rubbing elbows with the world’s best golfers was all in a day’s work for Ray Beallo, Frank Dobie and Paul Lazoran. However, all three were admittedly nervous and humbled during their induction speeches at the NOGA Hall of Fame ceremony.

The NOGA Hall of Fame now boasts 34 members after Beallo, Dobie and Lazoran were added as its newest members during the induction ceremony at Acacia Country Club on October 14. With nearly 20 decades in golf between them, this distinguished threesome has made a profound impact on the northeast Ohio golf landscape. A large gathering of family, friends and peers was on hand to honor these three gentlemen who took their rightful place in the NOGA Hall of Fame.

Beallo, who was a member and multiple-time club champion at Beechmont Country Club and Sharon Golf Club, was a two-time player of the year in the 1970s and won the 1971 Northeast Ohio Amateur with a final-round 65 that still stands as a tournament record 40 years later. His resume is also filled with multiple CDGA and NOGA titles, along with qualifying for countless USGA national championships. He also played on the Senior PGA Tour from 1987-1993.

Dobie has been a superintendent in northeast Ohio for more than 50 years – including the last 47 years as superintendent and general manager at the Sharon Golf Club. He took his position at Sharon G.C. in 1964 where he co-supervised the construction of the course and has been in that dual role ever since. He has received the Mal McLaren Award (NOGCSA) and the Col. John Morley Distinguished Service Award (GCSAA) – the most prestigious awards presented by those organizations for contributions to the game.

Paul Lazoran is a rare breed – working at one place for 59 years. “Paulie” started his career as a caddie at Firestone Country Club at age 9 and he quickly became a well-known fixture at the venerable club and spent the rest of his working years there in numerous positions – most of that time as the locker room manager – until he just recently retired. During that time he encountered a “who’s who” of the golf world and counts as his friends some of the greatest golfers in history – Player, Palmer, Nicklaus, Price and Mickelson just to name a few! He also caddied for many great players including Gary Player when he won the 1965 World Series of Golf and 1969 CBS Golf Classic champion Al Geiberger.

NOGA congratulates Ray, Frank and Paulie on their illustrious careers and welcomes this distinguished threesome as the newest members of the NOGA Hall of Fame.