Page 75 - 2018 Western Amateur Commemerative Program—Skokie Ridge Country Club

WGA_Program_2018_V5__ 6/28/2018 3:43 PM Page 73

successful,” Sasaki says. He also notes, in Seattle. Moulton recalls Kunkel as
“Tony was all about customer service being rather intimidating. “Greg was a
and putting forth maximum effort to giant of a guy, big and bold, always on
take care of the members. That sense of the move and demanded excellence
stewardship has always stayed with whether you were 13 or 30. After a
me throughout my professional career few loops, I began to notice that Greg
as clients will ultimately take care of treated all of us rookie bag-toters as
you based on the high quality of adults and he helped me improve my
service and professionalism they caddie skills and this built up my
receive.” confidence.” Moulton concludes,
“The boss I was initially intimidated
Throughout his four decades at
by quickly became a great mentor and
Sunset Ridge, Tony was known for
friend. He took the time and effort to
maintaining a caddie house concession
Former MLB Commissioner Peter Ueberroth help me get an Evans Scholarship and
stand that served hot dogs (known as was a SRCC Honor Caddie from 1951–1952 that changed my life forever.”
Batt dogs), soda pop, donuts, chips, for Tony Battistello. (AP image)
candy and ice cream bars. In later Mike Nowak is Chief Financial Officer
years he expanded his menu, thanks standard of excellence that was for ABN AMRO Clearing and is a
to a small microwave, and served established during Battistello’s current SRCC member. He caddied at
ham and cheese sandwiches and legendary 41-year career. Known Sunset Ridge at the beginning of the
slices of pizza, which were referred affectionately as “Kunks,” Kunkel is 21st Century and recalls, “Kunks was
to as Battzzas. The proceeds from also commonly referred as to the leader and still is generous to everyone. He
Battistello’s concession stand financed in the clubhouse due to the inviting was my first boss and let all the young
his annual January golf trip to Palm family atmosphere he has created loopers know that he appreciated
Springs, late afternoons at Arlington among his caddies, members and hustle, maximum effort and that he
Park (known as the A&P), and a fellow employees. expected a lot. He rewarded you with
weekly dinner at The Nite N’ Gale not only good loops but also the best
John Migley, the caddie manager at
in Highwood for him and Jean, tickets to every sporting event. I, along
Oakmont Country Club, outside of
his wife of 62 years. with so many others, owe Greg a ton.”
Pittsburgh, looped at Sunset Ridge
Tony Battistello passed away in during the beginning of Kunkel’s Sunset Ridge member Chris Broccolo
January 2010 at the age of 87 in his tenure and remembers, “Kunks lets was the men’s golf champion in 2011
native Highland Park and is survived every caddie know that he believes in
by his wife Jean, son Mike and three them, wants them to be successful and
grandchildren. A memorial service also stresses the importance of taking
was held at Sunset Ridge, and it was their responsibilities seriously as the
attended by an overflow crowd of best way to make good money.”
members, friends, former caddies, Migley also noted that Greg is
Evans Scholars and family members. “uniquely interested and genuine”
about knowing who his caddies are as
THE KUNKEL YEARS individuals and always having each
1986–PRESENT caddie’s best interest in mind. “The
Greg Kunkel fondly recalls Tony SRCC caddies strive to do a good job.
Battistello’s final words of advice upon Yes, they want to make money, but
retiring from Sunset Ridge in the fall of they also don’t want to let Greg down.”
1986: “Remember to train them… the
Kunkel’s first Evans Scholar was Rick
members — not the caddies!”
Moulton, a 1992 University of Illinois
As he approaches his 32nd year as graduate. He is now Director of
Greg & Tony during Tony's retirement party
caddie manager, Greg continues the Product Management for AT&T, based
at SRCC in 1986.

2018 WESTERN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP History of Sunset Ridge Country Club 73