ROBERT R. PRENTISS, 1927-2014

Pro golfer began as a caddy at Heather Downs

7/7/2014

Robert R. Prentiss, a professional golfer, former head professional at the Ottawa Park Golf Course, and member of the PGA of America, died June 18 at Jupiter Pavilion Hospice in Jupiter, Fla., of complications following a stroke. He was 87.

Mr. Prentiss started his long golf career as a caddy at the Heather Downs Country Club in Toledo and played as an amateur before becoming the assistant golf professional and then the head golf professional at Ottawa Park.

He not only played but taught golf at golf clubs in northern Ohio and south Florida, and he was a member of the PGA of America for 52 years.

In 1957 Mr. Prentiss partnered with another local pro golfer, Russ Milne, to open a winter golf school in Toledo at 605 Jackson St.

He participated in numerous local competitions, including the 1961 University of Toledo hole-in-one tournament where he won first place.

In 1977 Mr. Prentiss moved to West Palm Beach, Fla., where he lived for the rest of his life.

He was born in Toledo on Dec. 29, 1927, to Edward and Vernell Printke and graduated from Scott High School in 1948.

Mr. Prentiss and his wife, Betty Prentiss, were married for 60 years before her death in 2009.

Surviving are his daughters, Susie Prentiss and Patti Benson, his sisters, Shirley Palicki and Arlene Kopinski, three stepgrandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great- grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. July 22 at Christ Fellowship South Campus in North Palm Beach, Fla.

The service will be followed by a golf outing and a reception at Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., where Mr. Prentiss was a member.

The family suggests tributes to LPGA-USGA Girls Golf at girlsgolf.org in memory of Mr. Prentiss’ love of teaching golf, especially to his daughters.

Contact Stephen Gruber-Miller at: smiller@theblade.com, 419-724-6050, or on Twitter @sgrubermiller.