Francis Gallett
In 1925, at the age of 28, Francis Gallett accepted a position as head professional at Blue Mound Country Club. He and his wife Violet, who had been his childhood sweetheart in Carnoustie, Scotland, moved to Milwaukee. He remained at Blue Mound for 37 years. After one year at the original location on Bluemound Road, the Club moved to its new location in 1926, and Francis moved with it.
For a good part of his tenure at Blue Mound, Francis was the best golfer in Wisconsin. During his lifetime, he played in 15 U.S. Opens. He won the Wisconsin State Open five times and was runner-up in five others. He won the Wisconsin P.G.A. Championship four times and the Wisconsin Senior P.G.A. Tournament three times.
In 1947, the Carnoustie Golf Club presented Francis with its gold medal and a lifetime honorary membership. This was an honor conferred on only two other Americans. There is a plaque displayed today at Carnoustie commemorating Francis Gallett’s life and assistance to the golfing community.
Francis retired from Blue Mound in 1963 at the age of 68. He and Violet moved to Port Charlotte, Florida. He died in 1973 at the age of 77 and is buried in Wauwatosa. In 1975, he was posthumously voted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.
Excerpts from BMGCC Centennial Club History 1903–2003
Welcome Note
Welcome:
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Blue Mound Golf and Country Club for the 2024 Francis Gallett Invitational Golf Tournament.
Ever since the first Invitational in 1972, this two-day event has become synonymous with the best in golf. You’ll soon face the same test of golf that our Seth Raynor designed course has presented to many fine golfers in the past, including in the USGA Mid-Amateur Championship recently held in 2022.
The committee and staff have been hard at work planning this year’s event and I look forward to the start of the Invitational Tournament. I hope when the final putt drops you may be lucky enough to have your name engraved on the Francis Gallett Memorial Trophy.
It’s our pleasure to have you participate in this year’s event and I’m confident you will enjoy the fellowship and the club’s hospitality throughout the weekend.
Sincerely,
Ryan Marks
President
The Committee, Management & Staff
of Blue Mound Golf and Country Club
TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE
Ryan Marks, Chairman
Vincent Beres, Assistant
CLUB OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
Ryan Marks - President
Michael Malone - Vice President
Nicholas Bauer -Treasurer
Vincent Beres -Secretary
Edward Aprahamian, Brian Besler, Jeffrey Holmes
Jon Mariano, David Spano, Michael Thelen
MANAGEMENT & STAFF
Greg Pappas, General Manager/COO
Barry Linhart, Director of Golf, PGA
Alex Beson-Crone, Director of Grounds, GCSAA
Colin Roche, Clubhouse Manager
Jim Schuman, Director of Instruction, PGA
Matt Goodson, Head Golf Professional, PGA
Kayley Sjoholm, Assistant Golf Professional
Joe Scherer, Assistant Golf Professional
Bill Berdan, Outside Services Manager
Dan Vater, Golf Course Superintendent, GCSAA
Zachary Espinosa, Executive Chef
Gretchen Schlueter, Food & Beverage Manager
Kate Beson-Crone, Director of Membership, Marketing, & Events
Kristin Koch, Controller
In 1925, at the age of 28, Francis Gallett accepted a position as head professional at Blue Mound Country Club. He and his wife Violet, who had been his childhood sweetheart in Carnoustie, Scotland, moved to Milwaukee. He remained at Blue Mound for 37 years. After one year at the original location on Bluemound Road, the Club moved to its new location in 1926, and Francis moved with it.
For a good part of his tenure at Blue Mound, Francis was the best golfer in Wisconsin. During his lifetime, he played in 15 U.S. Opens. He won the Wisconsin State Open five times and was runner-up in five others. He won the Wisconsin P.G.A. Tournament four times and the Wisconsin Senior P.G.A. Tournament three times.
In 1947, the Carnoustie Golf Club presented Francis with its gold medal and a lifetime honorary membership. This was an honor conferred on only two other Americans. There is a plaque displayed today at Carnoustie commemorating Francis Gallett’s life and assistance to the golfing community.
Francis retired from Blue Mound in 1963 at the age of 68. He and Violet moved to Port Charlotte, Florida. He died in 1973 at the age of 77 and is buried in Wauwatosa. In 1975, he was posthumously voted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.
Excerpts from BMGCC Centennial Club History 1903–2003
Welcome to Member and Guest:
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Blue Mound Golf and Country Club for the 2021 Francis Gallett Invitational Golf Tournament.
Ever since the first Invitational in 1972, this two-day event has become synonymous with the best in golf. You’ll soon face the same test of golf that our Seth Raynor designed course has presented to many fine golfers in the past, and will continue to present to many more as the upcoming host of the International Junior Ryder Cup in September 2021 and co-host of the USGA Mid-Amateur Championship in September 2022.
The committee and staff have been hard at work planning this year’s event and I look forward to the start of the Invitational Tournament. I hope when the final putt drops you may be lucky enough to have your name engraved on the Francis Gallett Memorial Trophy.
It’s our pleasure to have you participate in this year’s event and I’m confident you will enjoy the fellowship and the club’s hospitality throughout the weekend.
Sincerely,
Rich Tennessen
President