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      January 26, 1999

Wendi Keene Named Golf Nut of the Year

Cincinnati, OH - Wendi Keene, Registered Golf Nut #1213, was named 1998 Golf Nut Of The Year today by the Golf Nuts Society of America.  In winning the title, Keene, of Sedona, Arizona, scored 27,972 points in  a balanced scoring attack which included 12,165 GNSA Entrance Examination points, and an impressive 15,807 Bonus Points.  Keene made a strong back nine charge to narrowly defeat runner-up Nobby Orens of Encino, California, who finished with 26,243 points.  Keene joined the Golf Nuts Society Of America in 1990, and in winning the title, became the first woman in history to be named Golf Nut Of  The Year.  "Her passion for the game is unparalleled, and she is a credit to the society,"  said Ron Garland, Founder & Head Nut.

Some of her more impressive feats were:

• Took up the game at age 38, and set up an indoor driving range in her
  garage, and used it every night for the first 6 months.  She would also
  periodically rent a video camera for her indoor practice sessions.
  738 Points

• Wrote a book entitled  "The Passionate Power of Golf and Other
  Connections to the Heart of the Game".   3,000 Points

• After playing golf right-handed for 7 years, she decided to switch to
  left-handed.  She's been playing left-handed for 4 years, is a
  14-handicapper, and has shot as low as 76.  Her right-handed handicap
  was as low as 10 and her low score right handed was 76.
  740 Points

• She put a dent in a friend's coffee table while practicing her swing at
  their home.  This lead to the decision to meet only at the driving range
  to practice in the future.  200 Points

• Played 25 holes of golf on Christmas Day, 1998.  250 Points

In winning the 1998 Golf Nut Of The Year title, Keene moved into fourth place on the All-Time Leading Scorers list with her 27,972 Nut Points, a mere 1,098 points behind the legendary Michael Jordan (#0023), who is in third place on the all-time list.   Rob Gillette (#2374) of Germantown, Maryland, Founder of 1999 Ryder Cup Captain Ben Crenshaw's fan club - Ben's  Battalion - remains the all-time leading scorer with 50,629 points.

                                               Golf Nut Of The Year Champions
                                                All - Time Leading Scorers

                Name                                         City/ State                                                 Points

Promo Photos of Wendi Keene