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"Let's Play 9!" with Sam Prue
"Let's Play 9!" with Sam Prue
2022 was a momentous year for Sam Prue, our December "Let's Play 9!" participant.
Prue, who just turned age 63, achieved more on the golf course than many people can imagine.
Sam not only participated in all of the local Siouxland Player of the Year tournaments but took his competitive game to the state level in South Dakota. From the state of South Dakota, Sam finished as runner up in the SDGA Senior Match Play tournament at Hillcrest GC, he won the SDGA Senior Stroke Play Championship at Willow Run GC by shooting a 3 under par 67 final round to cruise to a 3 stroke victory. Then to top off the year, Prue was named the SDGA Senior Player of the Year.
Locally, Prue won the Senior title in the Tri-State Masters in May, he finished as runner-up in the Leo division of the Jividen Cup, and then as a result of great play all year and finishing high on almost every tournament he played in he scored the points title in the Siouxland Senior Player of the Year. One other particularly stellar moment came in 2021 when at the age of 61, Prue won the Interstate Championship, an open event and may have staked claim as one of the oldest to ever win one of the Siouxland "Major" titles.
Sam comes from a highly competitive golf family and proudly claims that he wasn't the best golfer in the family. He gives that title to his brother Joe. Regretfully, Sam's brother Joe passed away in late October and Sam stated that he dedicated his play this year to his brother, who was his inspiration and taught him how to play golf and help him play to a higher level.
Prue, who is part of the management team at Winnavegas Casino where he has been employed since 1993, is the father of six (Megan, Courtney, Stacia, Turner (USAF currently stationed in Korea), Mona and his youngest, Rory. If you happen to be playing golf at Two Rivers in the evening, you just might run into Sam and his son Rory out there getting some practice in.
Now, let's see how Sam fares in our inward 9...
Which of the local Siouxland Golf Tournaments is your favorite and why (Does not have to be a Player of the Year qualifying tournament?
I have played in every Tri-State Masters and clearly it is my favorite tournament. I like it because of the three course, three day format. When Scott changed it to include seniors, that made it even more inviting for all golf levels.
What has been your best golf moment up to now?
I've had so many great moments but obviously being around and golfing with my family has always been the best moments. April of 2021, I spent 6 days of golf with my brothers and nephews in Arizona. This was several months after losing our mother and it was special because it would be the last time all of us were together.
How many holes in one have you had and how many have you witnessed?
I have had three official hole in ones and one on the 15th at Two Rivers when Rory was with me. Ive also had one Double Eagle. I've witnessed three hole in ones, one was against you (Jim Tritz) in the match play last fall, one was my nephew and of course my brother Joe who had 17 hole in one’s.
If money and access were no issue, what golf course would you love to play that you haven’t already played?
It would have to be Augusta National. I have to mention my brother Joe again who in the 70’s was stationed in Georgia (US Army) and was able to play the course with an officer and a member.
What would be your ultimate foursome (you included)?
My ultimate foursome would be my brother Joe in his prime, Tiger and John Daly.
Related to golfing, what is there about you that nobody really knows?
Little known fact J.D. Anderson, Adam Fields and I all played golf for Wayne State College.
With our Midwest golf season of 7 months, do you ever get to warmer climates to play golf in the other 5 months?
I golf from March thru October so November thru February I haven’t traveled to golf but I do try to go to the local simulators to just hit.
In the Siouxland area, amongst all golf courses, what is your favorite:
a. Par 3 Hole
The 8th hole at Dakota Dunes
b. Par 4 Hole
Number 13 at The Bluffs in Vermillion
c. Par 5 Hole
The 18th at Two Rivers once the construction is completed
Who/What was the primary influence for you to play golf?
The main influence is my brother Joe. I didn’t play golf until I got out of the Army when I was 27 and had watched my brother golf many times and he gave me my first driver and putter and has taught me more about managing the game. He said years ago “little brother you have a good swing you just need to learn to manage the courses you play” I can’t say enough about him and how he has influenced so many golfers.
1st Pic, Sam and his brother Joe.
2nd Pic, Sam and his son Rory
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