Joe Detzel (’63)

One of the best golfers to play for Villa Madonna College, Joe Detzel is best remembered for his sophomore season when he qualified for the 1961 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Golf Championship.  However, that accolade was just one of many on his resume throughout a four-year career in which he was a starter throughout and team captain as a junior and senior.

Beginning with his freshman year, Detzel turned in impressive performances.  Following his freshman season in 1960, he led the team in aggregate points with 24 ½.  He also finished third on the team in stroke average at 78.0 and shot the second lowest round of the year with a 73.  Of the 12 total rounds that he played, he shot a 79 or lower in eight rounds.

As a junior, Detzel finished tied for 17th at the 1962 Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) Tournament played at Spring Valley Country Club in Lexington, Ky.  He fired a two-day total of 165 that included an opening round 78.  His total was second-lowest on the team, trailing only Don Froelicher who shot a 152.

During his senior year in 1963, Detzel was the team’s number one and won 10 out of 15 matches against the other team’s number one.  In the month of April, he averaged a 75.8 stroke average over six rounds and had four rounds of a 76 or lower, including a career-best 69 versus the University of Louisville on April 15, 1963.

His success on the golf course has continued after his graduation from Villa Madonna as he has been both Club Champion and Northern Kentucky Team Champion at Ft. Mitchell Country Club.  He was also Senior Champion of the Northern Kentucky Invitational, Senior Club Champion at Bent Pine Country Club in Vero Beach, Fla., and has eight career hole in ones.