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Show orts SP Covering what matters most WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2007 • B1 Namon Bills / Spanish Fork News DOUBLE DUTY: In addition to his involvement in wrestling, John Webb also works at the Nebo District office. Webb inducted into Hall of Fame Steve Wilson STAFF WRITER Spanish Forkresident and long time friend of amateur wrestling, John Webb, was recently inducted into the prestigious Utah Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame in ceremonies held at Utah Valley State University. Webb, who enjoyed a highly successful career as both a wrestler and as a coach, was voted into the Hall by a panel of his peers. A native of Green River, Wyoming, John entered the world of competitive wrestling as a 95-pound sophomore with no experience and at a school, Green River High, that until that day had never fielded a wrestling team. Thus, being the smallest kid on the team, he became the very first wrestler to ever take the mat in a competitive match for Green River. After high school, Webb landed a scholarship to the University of Wyoming where he took seventh in the nation at the US Federation Nationals. His wrestling career took a two year hiatus at that point while he served an LDS Church mission to England and the British Isles. When he returned from his church service, he found that U of W would not honor his scholarship, and at that point he chose to take his wrestling skills west and enroll at Weber State University, where he enjoyed three successful years on the mat for the Wildcats. Having established a credible reputation in the Ogden area, Webb was soon hired as the head coach of the Weber High School wrestling team where he earned Utah 4A coach of the year honors. His success at Weber High caught the attention of his alma mater, and Weber State hired him to take over there collegiate program as head coach. At WSU John continued to find success as he led the Wildcats for nine years developed three AilAmericans and was twice named Big Sky coach of the year, in 1981 and again in 1983. At this point, Webb's skills and reputation brought a call from one of the nation's premier wrestling powerhouse programs, Oklahoma State University, where he was offered the assistant head coaching position. While at OSU, the Cowboy's took home an NCAA National Championship trophy in 1989. Wanting to be closer to his family and culture, John hooked up with Mark Shultz, BYU's head coach, and as Shultz's head assistant, became a card carrying Cougar. During his tenure there, Shultz became ill, and Webb took over the program for a year, and successfully led the Cougar program until BYU was forced to drop wrestling and men's gymnastics due to Title IX pressures. John and his family now live in Spanish Fork where he is an administrator for Nebo School District, and has served as an LDS Church Bishop. While not engaged as an official coach at any specific school, he is none the less still active in the coaching arena. For several years he has donated countless hours conducting early morning coaching sessions for junior high and high school age kids who are willing to rise early and put in extra time improving their skills. He is currently coaching youth wrestling classes every Monday and Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. for Spanish Fork Community Education. Courtesy photo / Doug Adams MANY TALENTS: In addition to his skill on the golf course, Doug Adams is know for his landscape photography. The two interests come together in the photo above, showcasing the beauty of the golf course in autumn. Talent o n I i Adams keeps course green and pristine Chad Vest STAPF WRITER Both men and women enjoy the game of golf for different reasons. One of the best incentives is the view of freshly cut grass with all of the beautiful surroundings. Many have taken notice of the breathtaking view of the Spanish Oaks Municipal Golf Course. Doug Adams has been the superintendent for 27 years now. He has done an amazing job of having the course in tip top form for several decades. There are two other John and his wife Jan full-time employees who work alongside are the parents of seven him. Together, these groundskeepers children, five boys and two work long hours to make it an enjoyable girls. Four of the Webb boys experience for everyone. wrestled, (one son, JJ is It is a high priority to keep the golf physically unable to engage golf course beautiful so it will please the in sports), and two of those golfers. sons were both two time "The main thing is to be in touch state champions, Johnson with the golfers and to know what for Weber High and Jordan they want," said Adams. "Keeping the for Spanish Fork High. greens playable with proper heights is John was inducted into important. We don't want it to not be the Hall by his first coach, enjoyable, like if it's too tough for a Mel Baldwin from Green municipality golf course." River and Spanish Fork's Having a golf course right at the current head coach Dave mouth of Spanish Fork canyon presents Clark. an enormous challenge. The strong "I was led into the Hall winds present a problem for early by the first guy to let me into morning rounds as well as watering of a wrestling room and the last the course. guy to let me into a wrestling "Watering at Spanish Oaks is room," Webb said. impossible," said Adams. "With that wind problem, we have to water during play in the day, and we try to keep it to a MEN'S FLAG FOOTBALL minimum. We do most of the watering at night. What we can't get done at night, TEAM WINS LOSSES I we'll do between the hours of 1 la.m.-2 Beavers 7 2 1 p.m." GWD members can be seen driving 7 2 1 theCrew course a cart to hose down any APX Alarm 7 2 1 dry spots thatin were missed. Adams said USS Diamondbacks 7 2 1 that they use an excellent fertilizer with Gameover 5 4 1 a slow release to cut the application in Crows 4 5 1 half. Strykers "It keeps the growth to a steady pace. 3 6 1 Good fertilizing keeps the growth more Jerry's Kids 3 6 1 consistent," said. Gandolfo's Trojans 3 6 1 Spanish he Oaks is an 18-hole golf Acsent Inc. 0 10 1 course with nine holes on top and as many below the clubhouse. It requires i ^ Namon Bills / Spanish Fork News GREEN TEAM: Doug Adams is pictured above with golf pro Aaron Brown. more than three men to efficiently care for the entire course. Thus, part-time help arrives for the golf season to help business run smoothly. "We hire six to eight part-time workers to help us through the spring and summer," said Adams.."Usually, they'll work from March until November." Adams gives a lot of credit to the crew he has working for him. "I sure appreciate my crew," he said. "What a great crew we have up here!" Some of their responsibilities are watering, raking sand-traps, gathering range balls, replacing sprinklers and cutting grass. They use specialized lawn mowers from Toro to cut the fairway and greens. Adams and his crew have also spent countless hours in preparing for the festival of lights inside Canyon View Park. Their hard work has given a lot of people a joyful ride over the years. Many vehicles of different shapes and sizes enter the park, after which they're able to catch some Christmas spirit with their family and friends on a fun goaround. "It's a good tradition" Adams said. Normally, employees who work at a golf course can golf for free or receive a nice discount. However, the superintendent is quite busy with other priorities and hobbies. "It's kind of like the mechanic's car doesn't run," said Adams. "I need to play more golf than 1 play. I only play twice a year and I should get out more." One of his hobbies outside of his full-time job has been photography! Adams has been doing photography on nature for many years. He has enjoyed snapping great shots of natures' best* whether it is an animal in the wild, or a beautiful scenic view. Adams has even sold portraits of his work to admirers and made some profit. He has traveled to various parts of the country to enjoy each new experience. Even though it's been a hobby of his for many years', it could be a nice opportunity for work after he retires from the golf course. Fortunately for us, he's the man in charge who takes great pride in our wonderful Spanish Oaks. |