By Tim Rogers, NOPGA Media
AVON, Ohio — U.S. Navy veterans David Boos and Don Bell discovered a new ‘objective’ when they were part of the nearly 70 veterans who gathered early Wednesday to participate in a 9-hole scramble, have some lunch and listen to an inspiring chat with former Kent State and Cleveland Browns star Josh Cribbs and TV/radio host and NOPGA member Jimmy Hanlin.
It’s called reacquainting with old compatriots and shipmates. It was one of the many ‘feel good’ stories of the day. Here’s theirs:
Boos, 68, is a PGA of America Life Member after working at several clubs in the Youngstown area. He regularly participates in the PGA HOPE program as an instructor and served as one of the team captains during the PGA HOPE Day at Avon Oaks.
Bell, 69, took part in the PGA HOPE curriculum program at Parto’s Golf Learning Center in Youngstown (owned by NOPGA member Tom Parteleno) and decided to play in the third edition of the Hope Cup. He was part of the team captained by Parteleno at Avon Oaks.
But the Boos-Bell story got its roots in the late 1970s when both served in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence-CD 62 from 1976 to 1979. They became close early during their deployment, a relationship forged by growing up in the same city, albeit on different sides.
“Imagine that,” said Boos, who grew up on the North side. “Two guys from Youngstown Ohio on the same ship, a ship of that size with about 4,700 other guys and we meet. What were the chances?”
After both were discharged, they went their separate ways. Dave entered the golf business and eventually became a professional and a superintendent at various clubs around Youngstown. Don became a carpenter, working in Indiana, Virginia and North Carolina before returning to Ohio in the early 1990s. He and his wife, Diane, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 17.
Military connections are real and run deep. Some say their time in the service was the best of their lives. Depending on the circumstance, others say it was the worst. Either way the memories — both good and bad — remain indelibly etched and produce a seemingly unbreakable bond.
So, fast forward to earlier this summer when Bell walked into Tom Parteleno’s Big on Golf Learning Center seeking help for his game and to investigate this program for veterans that he had heard about. He was wearing a hat with “USS Independence” inscribed on the front.
“He walked in and I saw that hat,” said Boos, who teaches at Mill Creek Metroparks Golf Course but serves at Parto’s facility as a PGA HOPE instructor. “I was in shock. I immediately asked him where he got that hat. He said that he was aboard that ship in the late 1970s. I said, ‘So was I’.”
And so it began. Again.
It had been 46 years since Boos and Bell had last seen one another.
The PGA HOPE program brought them back together. Call it fate. Call it luck. Call it a beautiful thing.
“I didn’t recognize him at first but then we started talking and it all started coming back,” said Bell. “I was amazed. It had been 46 years.”
In that instant the memories from nearly half a century ago began pouring out, perhaps against improbable odds. What if Boos hadn’t become a PGA HOPE instructor? What if he hadn’t been at Parto’s that day? What if Bell hadn’t wanted to sign up for the PGA HOPE program? And, what if Bell hadn’t worn that hat?
“It was crazy,” said Parteleno, who has been lifelong friends with Bell. “Our families lived across the street from one another.”
All three men were at Avon Oaks with Bell playing on Parteleno’s PGA HOPE Hubbard team and Boos captaining a team representing Mill Creek.
“I thought we played pretty well for our first time,” Bell said after the Hubbard team shot 5-under 31 to finish fourth. “Overall, it was a great day. I enjoyed the hell out of it. A wonderful breakfast and lunch and nine holes on a beautiful course. They treated us like kings.”
Boos (pronounced boze) has loved what he has seen from the veterans during his involvement with the program.
“Their enthusiasm is through the roof,” he said. “You can see that they are really excited about the program. They have become immersed in it, they talk about it all the time. Sometimes they can’t get enough. We might play nine holes and they’ll want to play more. It is a great thing to see.” It took 46 years for Boos and Bell to become reunited. PGA HOPE is an acronym for Helping Our Patriots Everywhere. During this summer the program helped former shipmates from a lifetime ago get reacquainted in Youngstown, Ohio.
Pictured at top: U.S. Navy veterans David Boos and Don Bell.