Inducted, 1991

The list of contributors to Utah golf is long, but few Utahns have contributed more than Ernie Schneiter, Sr.

Some people have left their mark as a player, others as teaching professionals, or administrators, superintendents, or architects. Ernie Schneiter, Sr. left his mark in each category. He covered the entire gambit of the game.

As a player, he carded 23 holes-in-one. He competed in four National Seniors Profesional Championships and won the Rocky Mountain Section Seniors Professional title four consecutive years from 1957 through 1960.

As a teacher he was head professional in Burley, Idaho, 1930-32; Twin Falls, Idaho, 1932-34; Logan Golf and Country Club, 1934-35; EI Monte in Ogden, 1936-45; the Ogden Golf and Country Club, 1942-60; and at his own Schneiter's Riverside in Ogden. At each stop he was recognized as a great teacher of the game and helped make the game popular in each community.

As an administrator he helped sponsor and host many tournaments and brought to the state such golfing legends as Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Patty Berg, and Mickey Wright. He was President of the Rocky Mountain Section of the PGA in 1959 and 1960.

As outstanding as he was in each of those areas, perhaps his greatest contribution was as a golf course architect. Golf courses with his signature include the front nine at Ogden Golf and Country Club; the old Brigham City golf course; Davis Park; Preston, Idaho; Montpelier, Idaho; Dixie Red Hills, and his own Schneiter's Riverside.

Ernie's career in golf spanned a remarkable era of growth. He took up the game when golf courses were mowed by horse drawn mowers, and caddy rates were 15 cents for nine holes; and he saw the day when his own golf courses were mowed by gas powered riding mowers and electric cart served as caddies at $8 per nine holes.

He played a significant role in the development of Utah golf. He was popular wherever he went, and was always an ambassador for golf, encouraging everyone to take up the game he loved. If he had a trademark for which he is remembered the most, it would be his warm smile.

Ernie Schneiter, Sr. was born on February 1, 1907 in Bern, Switzerland. He married Mildred Taylor, and they have four children, Ernie Schneiter, Jr.; Gene Schneiter, Colleen Randall, and Carolyn Thornton.

All of the children and many of the grandchildren are actively engaged in golf. Ernie Jr. is the owner of Schneiter's Riverside Golf Course in Ogden, his son Jon is an assistant pro at the course and another son, Brett is the green superintendent; Gene is the green superintendent at Sunbrook Golf Course in St. George; Colleen and Dean Randall are owners of The Barn Golf Course in Ogden and their sons, Kelly, Shon, and Cary operate the course; and Neil Thornton, Carolyn's husband, is an assistant pro at Schneiter's Riverside Golf Course, and their daughter Michelle is a former Women's State Amateur Champion.