In an effort to bring a breath of fresh air to our list of CEO handicaps, we went beyond the usual suspects in search of business owners and CEOs with the best golf games in the region.
The result: A new No. 1 golfer in Bob Fairchild, president of Fairchild Chevrolet, who sports a +1.5 USGA Handicap Index. For the uninitiated, that means he adds a stroke and a half to his score on average courses.
Fairchild, the 1993 Ohio Amateur winner and a 15-time Canterbury Golf Club champion, debuts on our list along with a number of other top execs with scratch games, including just-retired Actron Manufacturing CEO Tom Slater, who won the Kirtland and Pepper Pike club championships last year, and Welded Tube President Bob Lewis Jr., one of the winningest players in Walker Cup history and captain of the 2003 and 2005 U.S. teams.
The Brewer-Garrett Co. CEO Lou Joseph, who held the top spot for several years, now ranks eighth, though he can give anyone a game with his 0.4 index, according to the Golf Handicap Information Network.
Our list is by no means exhaustive, so if you know of a top executive who deserves to be on the list, send us a note at [email protected], or call (440) 250-7078. To qualify for the list, a player must be a top executive and have a current handicap in the GHIN system.
No. 1 Bob Fairchild +1.5
President, Fairchild Chevrolet
Canterbury Country Club
Golfing pedigree My father started me playing golf when I was 9 or 10. I played for Bay Village High School and Northwood University in Midland, Mich.
Equipment Callaway Big Bertha driver, Adams 3+ wood, Mizuno MP-29 irons, Wilson Designed by Arnold Palmer putter
Ball Titleist Pro V-1x
Money shot I drive the ball very well and I putt the ball very well.
Best round 66 at Canterbury
Dream course My dream round was a 69 at Augusta National (last) December.
I play golf because it’s such a huge part of what I am and who my friends are.
No. 4 Paul Voinovich +0.3
Principal, Vocon Design
Kirtland Country Club
Golfing pedigree I started playing when I was about 5 years old. I played at Gilmour and at John Carroll.
Equipment Titleist 983K driver, Titleist 15o fairway wood, Callaway X-14 irons, Titleist Vokey wedges, White Hot No. 2 putter
Ball Titleist Pro V-1x
Money shot Not putting. My irons, I guess.
Best round 67. My best at Kirtland was a 70.
Dream course Oakmont is pretty nice. Winged Foot is pretty nice, too.
I play golf because it’s my fix. It’s nice to be outside. It’s nice to play — with friends or people you’ve never met. It’s a game you can play for all your life. It’s just a great game.
No. 8 Lou Joseph 0.4
CEO, The Brewer-Garrett Co.
Westwood Country Club
Golfing pedigree I took it up about 15 years ago. My brother, Larry, is a scratch golfer. He was always after me to play. He got me going on golf.
Equipment Titleist 983K driver, Titleist 3 wood, Hogan Apex irons (forged), Scotty Cameron TEi-3 putter
Ball Callaway HX Tour (Black)
Money shot I’m consistent off the tee.
Best round The second time I shot 67 I had five birdies in a row — and then I just held on.
Dream course Augusta National
I play golf because it’s the ultimate challenge. It’s you against nature. And every day you start all over again. You can’t win; you just borrow it. And in golf you don’t root against anybody. I love the integrity of the game.
No. 14 Don Misheff 2.2
Northeast Ohio Managing Partner, Ernst & Young
Firestone Country Club
Golfing pedigree I didn’t start playing until I was about 20 years old. I never played on a formal high school or college team.
Equipment Cleveland 460 driver, Sonartech 3 wood, Titleist 690CB irons, Scotty Cameron Newport 2 putter (made for Don Padgett)
Ball Titleist Pro V-1x
Money shot I’m still trying to find one.
Best round My best round is yet to come
Dream course Ballybunion in Ireland. It’s what golf is all about.
I play golf because of the people. I’ve been blessed with the amount of people I’ve been able to meet in life that came through golf.
