Farr and away the best

Jamie Farr presents So Yeon Ryu with a ceremonial check after she won the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic last year. Farr, who turned 79 on July 1, has had his name associated with the tournament since it began in 1984.

For 27 years, dating to the first local LPGA golf tournament held at the old Glengarry Country Club in 1984, only one name was always associated with the event.

Jamie Farr, the Toledo-born actor, lent more than his name to the tournament. He lent his time and talents, too.

He played in every pro-am and celebrity event. He presided over the annual pre-tournament dinner party. He attended each round. He saluted every champion and was on hand at the 18th green to thank each participant. He signed autographs, shook hands with volunteers, and welcomed fans.

In short, Jamie Farr was every bit as much the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic as the golfers who played in it.

Now, it is the Marathon Classic, presented by Owens Corning and O-I. Farr, who turned 79 on July 1, felt he couldn’t be as hands-on in future years and said, “When Marathon got interested and wanted to be the title sponsor, I figured it was a good time for my departure.”

Toledoans who travel know they’ll get one (or more) of four responses from strangers who ask where they are from. Those folks will associate Toledo with Jeep, the Mud Hens, Tony Packo’s and Jamie Farr.

The fact that his name is no longer on our LPGA tournament won’t change that.