Where are they now? is an occasional Times-News sports series on the current status of former Erie area athletes, coaches, officials or administrators of interest.
These days, former Cathedral Prep golfer Tim Dunlavey is more concerned with reducing the daily burden on others than his score per round.
Dunlavey, 56, helps residents in and around Spartanburg, South Carolina. That’s where the 1986 Prep graduate lives and is an elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Dunlavey is also a board member of Total Ministries, which operates a food bank and provides financial assistance to those deemed in need.
“We’re just trying to help people who are in difficult situations,” he said. “Try to give them a helping hand when things are tough. I know we’ve been a lifeline during the pandemic.”
Dunlavey spoke with the Erie Times-News via Zoom call Sept. 26 at Whispering Woods Golf Course. This was several days before the destructive and deadly path of Hurricane Helene began ravaging the western Carolinas.
On a lighter note, Dunlavey’s call was organized by officials of the Erie District Golf Association. The 1985 PIAA men’s golf champion spoke exactly one month before his official Hall of Fame induction.
Dunlavey is one of four golfers who make up the Hall’s 2024 class. Current EDGA President Dave Hewett, Bob Paris and the late Norm Gaylord are others who will be enshrined in a ceremony Oct. 26 at Lake Shore Country Club.
That evening, Judy Saurer, Judy Meister and Steph Urban will also be in the spotlight. They will be inducted into the Erie District Women’s Golf Association Hall of Fame.
More: EDGA President Dave Hewett and former pro Tim Dunlavey highlight his 2024 Hall of Fame class
“I always felt at home”
This will be the third Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Dunlavey, who also excelled on the links for the University of Virginia. He was voted to two Atlantic Coast Conference all-star teams, then enjoyed a professional career highlighted by six starts in PGA Tour events.
Dunlavey, through qualifying tournaments, also participated in the 2018 and 2019 US Senior Opens. These appearances came more than a decade after he was enshrined in the Metropolitan Erie Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (2004 ) and the Cathedral Prep Sports Hall of Fame (2006).
“This (induction month) is the one I’m most excited about,” Dunlavey said, “because of all my (experiences) learning to play golf while growing up in Erie. All the guys I played with grew up were the other good players in town. I tried to be as good as them and learn things from them.
“Even though I’ve been gone for a long time, Erie has always felt like home.”
More: Evan Rowane wins EDGA Amateur ahead of Mercyhurst University’s Division I golf debut
A sport for life
Dunlavey is sensitive to the meteoric evolution of golf since his successful years as a Rambler 40 years ago. He was reminded of this during a trip back to Erie, which included a tour of the Kahkwa Club.
Dunlavey’s tee shot on the course’s 10th hole, his first as a prep student, easily reached the top of the fairway’s first hill.
And then some.
“I always thought it was a good shot to be able to (reach) the top of that hill,” Dunlavey said. “Now you can hit it 80 yards beyond that. These balls now, they go further and the (clubs) make them go straighter and higher with less spin.”
Dunlavey, despite living in an area rich in golf courses, said he currently only plays two or three rounds a month. Perhaps an occasional tournament at the Country Club of Spartanburg, where he has been a member since 1999.
The round count, however, is almost irrelevant to Dunlavey.
What’s important is that he continues to drive, chip and putt competently.
“It’s nice to be able to continue playing a sport that I grew up with and to be able to get out and meet more people,” Dunlavey said. “I’m fortunate and blessed to have the timing and the hands to do it.
“I’m lucky to have found something that works for me.”
Contact Mike Copper at [email protected]. Follow him on @ETNcuivre.
This article was originally published on Erie Times-News: Former PIAA golf champion and PGA Tour pro Tim Dunlavey receives a call at EDGA Hall
