Ottumwa has produced fine golfers for decades.  Many of those budding careers got started in Bob Moreland’s junior golf program at the Ottumwa Country Club.  A native of Peoria, Ill., Bob turned professional in January of 1963. He worked at five different clubs in Texas, Iowa and Illinois between 1963 and 1975, and played on the PGA Tour in 1968.  He was hired by the Ottumwa Country Club in February of 1976.  Bob and his wife, Lynda, have been fixtures at 304 East Golf Ave. ever since. “I have no doubt that if Bob had pursued a professional playing career to the exclusion of all other factors in his life, we would see his name on television and on a name of golf clubs,” said Leif T. Stokes of Ottumwa.  “But there are things Bob enjoyed more. Namely, his family and the opportunity to work with the youth of Ottumwa and the surrounding area.”

The Iowa Section PGA presented Moreland with the Junior Golf Leader Award in 1995. He was also named that organization’s Professional of the Year in 1988 and its Private Merchandiser of the Year in 2002.  Moreland has been the Iowa Section PGA Player of the Year five times, most recently in 1985, and the Senior Player of the Year 10 times, most recently in 2004.  His playing career has included appearances in the PGA Championship, the Senior PGA Championship and the Senior U.S. Open.  “Bob is a man of integrity, honesty, devotion and good humor,” said Jeff Smith, head professional at Harvest Point golf course in Oskaloosa. (Courtesy of Rick Brown)

• 5-time Iowa Section PGA Player of the Year – 1976, 80, 81, 83 & 85
• 10-time Iowa Section Senior PGA Player of the Year – 1994, 96-04
• 2-time Iowa PGA Super Senior Player of the year – 2013-14
• 2-time Iowa Section PGA Champion – 1976 & 1981
• Iowa Open Champion – 1981
• Iowa Section PGA Senior Champion – 2011

*Played on the PGA Tour in 1968, and has played in a PGA Championship, a Senior PGA Championship, and a U.S. Senior Open

Awards:

• 1981 – Iowa Golf Association PGA Professional of the Year
• 1988 – Iowa Section PGA Professional of the Year
• 1995 – Iowa PGA Junior Golf Leader Award
• 2002 – Iowa PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Private club

Ottumwa Courier Article about Bob’s Induction (5/5/2006) with extensive biographical material