Marshall first learned to play golf at Camp Tivoli, and fell in love. He would try to play at least twice a week during his working career. During retirement, he shot for at least 300 rounds of golf a year, which he achieved most years. To help achieve that, he would winter in Naples Florida where he could play every day. He called it “going to work”.
Golf is a mental game, and even more so when you are wagering. You couldn’t play golf with him without there being a bet. He demanded there be money on the line, even if it was only a penny a hole. If you refused (which you couldn’t), he’d just keep giving you more strokes until you agreed to bet. He loved the added pressure of sinking that putt when there was money on the line. That was as much of the game to him as swinging the clubs. Then there was the fun of talking about whether you could actually sink that putt, reminding you of how you choked on the last hole, telling you he was “rolling the drums”, and asking just how much money you had in your pocket. It wasn’t about the money. It was about having fun with each other, mustering up the strength to perform under pressure, and trying to get better. He absolutely loved it!
He loved all of his golfing buddies, and especially the many years of playing at Cog Hill and team SIUTA! He was called “the commissioner” because he would organize the weekend tee times at Cog for four or five groups, updating handicaps, pairing up teams and foursomes, and clearing the bets. Somehow, Marshall and his buddies had five consecutive tee times at Cog early on Saturday morning for many years.
Spreading cremated ashes requires the owner’s consent in Illinois and is illegal on public property. Unsubstantiated rumors has it Marshall’s ashes were spread, as requested by Marshall, by his family members at Cog Hill.
