In Remembrance of WMGA Past President Mike Yanhko
In Remembrance of WMGA Past President Mike Yanhko
It is with the deepest regret that we report that WMGA Past President (2010-2011) Mike Yanhko passed away at 2:30 this morning, April 27th.
Mike was a United States Marine and a graduate of West Chester University. After many years of coaching several sports and teaching in high school, Mike was inducted in 2003 into the New Jersey State Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
One of Mike’s football players at Jefferson Township High School was the renowned Mike Leach, who later played at Boston University and the College of William & Mary. He then spent 15 years in the NFL, where he was regarded as the premier long snapper in the game.
Commissioner* [a nickname adopted because Mike loved to run things] Yanhko served as President of the Washington Metropolitan Golf Association (founded in 1914) during 2010 – 2011 and worked as the Head Rules Official for the prestigious Scott Robertson Memorial junior tournament at Roanoke Country Club for more than 15 years. “The Robertson” has featured countless future LPGA Tour and PGA Tour players, including Paula Creamer, Brittany Altomare, Jessica Korda, Moriya Jutanugarn, Brooke Henderson, Hunter Mahan, Kevin Na, Webb Simpson, John Curran, Smylie Kaufman and Akshay Bhatia. Leading amateurs Stewart Hagestad (two-time US Mid-Amateur champion) and Michael Brennan (current standout at Wake Forest) are also Robertson winners.
During his time with the WMGA, Mike Yanhko served as captain for several of the Williamson Cup Teams, an intercity honorary junior team competition started in 1964. He also volunteered as a Rules Official for the Metropolitan Golf Association of New York, the Maryland State Golf Association, the Middle Atlantic Golf Association, the Virginia State Golf Association, the Middle Atlantic Section PGA and US Kids Golf.
Mike cannot possibly be discussed without mentioning his beloved wife Pat, also a teacher, who preceded him in death several years ago after a long illness during which time Mike set aside almost all activities to care for Pat. Pat had done the same for him on more than one occasion after Mike suffered a stroke in the early 2000s.
Despite an unending series of health issues and the devastating loss of Pat, Mike persisted with his Rules of Golf work and retained about as many friendships as one person could have. In recent years, his active membership at the Central United Methodist Church of Radford was invaluable in maintaining his spirit.
Mike Yanhko was also a devoted father/grandfather to his daughter Melissa and two grandsons Alex and Eric as well as to his daughter Heather (husband Bryce Poe, Sr.) and grandchildren Bryce, Jr., Elizabeth and Christopher.
Among many positive character traits exhibited by Mike, four stand out for many who knew him: friendship, courage, loyalty, and a commitment to excellence in all matters. Mike was a strong personality, remarkable character, unmatched storyteller, and loyal friend who you could not possibly forget.
Details on possible services and remembrances will follow.
Godspeed Michael Yanhko.
On behalf of the WMGA by Randy Reed
Obituary from the Star-Ledger on Radford, VA. is ⇒ HERE
