Ray J. Sauer

The golfers at Bemidji State University (BSU) will not be surprised by Sauer’s recognition from the MGA: After the untimely death of his twin brother, Ed, he established the BSU Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament in 2008, eventually raising the funds to fully endow the golf team and put it on firm financial footing into the foreseeable future. He is, and remains, an ambassador of the game, not only by the example he sets on the golf course among his fellow competitors, but through years of tirelessly promoting the spirit of the game of golf, its rules, etiquette and traditions over more than five decades of hands-on golf administration in northern Minnesota, particularly in Walker, home to the Tianna 2-Man Best Ball and Tianna Shortstop. He was instrumental in the creation of the Northern Minnesota Indian Classic in 1969, which has evolved from a local fundraiser into an international event, attracting Native American participation from across the U.S. and the Canadian Provinces. Acknowledged by indigenous leaders, Sauer is credited with growing the game among the area’s Native American population through his selfless support as a tournament organizer, role model and promoter of numerous golf tournaments in northern Minnesota.  

The 2021 recipient, Ray Sauer, truly embodies the spirit of the Warren J. Rebholz Distinguished Service Award.