Dick Estey: In Memory of Portland's Great Amatuer Golfer

It's with a sad and heavy heart that I write this post in memory of Dick Estey.  He is one of the greatest amatuer golfers who grew up in the Eastmoreland neighborhood and learned the game by hanging around the older guys known as the Eastmoreland Wolves.  In 1948, he was scheduled to play in the OGA Junior Amatuer at Alderwood - the Vanport Flood in the spring resulted in a change of plans and the OGA moved the tournament to Eastmoreland.  No Junior would have been happier than Dick, as this are the hallowed grounds where he cut his teeth.  I can just imagine the warm congratulations from the likes of Bennie Hughes and Tab Boyer (maybe even Fred Dolp?) who probably felt the pride of Coach of the young rising star. Dick's solid game undoubtedly helped them win some bets on the weekends for those that didn't know the kid had talent.

Here's a photo of Dick Estey from his Wachington High School Yearbook and the OGA's 1948 tee sheet showing the match play rounds for the championship flight of the OGA Junior Championship.  

​Dick Estey - here's to you Winner!

Some 43 years later Dick was an accomplished Senior tour player and what's shown here are some photos of him playing in what I believe is the 1991 USGA Public Links Championship played at Eastmoreland.  I have to get some confirmation, because after graduating law school - Dick became a celebrated member of the historic Waverley Country Club for more than 40 years.  Though it's well known around this time he had one of the best games and continued his winning ways.

This is only a single post and introduction to Dick and his history. On my to do list was to find a way to get an introduction to Dick, and that's why news of his passing hit me hard.  His name was easily the most mentioned golfer when I started my project. I was so hoping to hear his account of stories playing as a young teenager at Eastmoreland with the Wolves. As luck would have it my first deep introduction to Dick Estey came from another golf historian who is also passed: Bob McReynolds.  

If anything Dick - your legacy and recent passing have served to embolden my resolve to continue Bob's work and celebrate Eastmoreland and all the golfers that once called Eastmoreland home.

Please see the document below from Bob's accounting of "Golfers I knew"