SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – A local couple who ran the Kaeppler Golf Tournament celebrated 60 years of marriage this past week.
Edna and Kent Kaeppler spoke about their anniversary and the annual golfing event associated with their family name.
The couple said they planned to celebrate their anniversary by going out to eat with family.
Tournament began in 1964
Kent Kaeppler said the golf tournament began after his father, in memory of Paul Gilbert, contacted him and his mother about creating a high school golf tournament for local schools.
“We recognized that it was nice to have a high school golf tournament for the local high schools, which started off actually with four schools. And then it blasted from there,” Kent Kaeppler said.
The tournament started in 1964 and continued for nearly four decades before being paused as COVID-19 set in.
“Not as far as the longevity goes, no. But it was a very interesting point for the high school kids because a lot of them never got to play Morse Park at that time,” Kent Kaeppler said, when asked whether he expected the tournament to grow as it did.
Edna Kaeppler said her favorite part of the tournament was baking cookies for the participants.
“I always bake cookies for the boys. And I mean a lot of cookies. I would spend two or three days in the kitchen making cookies and they appreciated it,” Edna Kaeppler said.
Edna Kaeppler said she used a mix of semi-sweet, milk chocolate and dark chocolate chips in her recipe, making about 25 dozen cookies at a time.
“If you ask me, I use all three kinds. I mix them up. I put equal amounts in the batter and it comes out good,” Edna Kaeppler said.
Couple enjoys local activities together
The Kaepplers said they enjoy attending local events together, including basketball games and theater performances.
“We like to take in local attractions like basketball or theater or such, and we just enjoy, we always see people we know, and it’s fun,” Edna Kaeppler said.
Kent Kaeppler, who has lived in the area for 84 years, said he has become drawn to Notre Dame athletics and other local activities.
Couple recalls early days of marriage
Kent Kaeppler recalled receiving a speeding ticket on the way to Niagara Falls on the first day of their marriage.
“We were on our way to Niagara Falls and toll road and the state trooper did not give me any mercy. He says, we’re going to Maumee, Ohio, because you got a speeding ticket. And I’ll never forget it,” Kent Kaeppler said.
Edna Kaeppler said Kent Kaeppler’s golf hobby has also benefited their marriage.
“It helps our marriage that he plays a lot of golf because it gives me some my time,” Edna Kaeppler said.
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