THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 11, 1995 TAG: 9510110602
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DWIGHT FOXX, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
For Al and Merilyn Richards, home is usually right on the golf course.
Al, a 52-year-old golfer on the Senior Series professional tour, drives a 37-foot motor home from stop to stop on the tour, then lives out of the apartment on wheels during the tournament.
Merilyn, his bride of less than a year, and Bobo, a half-blind cocker spaniel, go along for the ride and provide Al with all the comforts of, well, home.
It all started in April of 1994 when Richards, a lifetime amateur and representative for Echelon golf clubs, decided to join the Senior Series.
``I did not want to live my life in hotels and motels,'' said Merilyn, who had no problem with going the motor-home route, however. ``It gives you a sense of home living in here.''
This week, the Richards have taken up residence in the parking lot at the Greenbrier Country Club as Al tries to qualify for the 54-hole Senior Series event which begins Thursday.
Their 1990 Friendship motor home is equipped with a queen-sized bed, a refrigerator, two air conditioners, a furnace, living room, dining room table, basement storage, microwave, kitchen, electricity and a sewer. Al and Merilyn can stay self-contained for a week before needing to dump their holding tanks.
But they're rarely confined to the motor home. The couple usually bring along their Acura Legend so they can get around at tournament sites.
Bobo, the 8-year-old cocker, guards the motor home while the Richards are away. Until recently, Bobo had company. But Brooke, a 16-year-old pound puppy, died on a trip to Bloomington, Ill.
The Richards' longest trip in the motor home was a 1,200-mile trek from Orlando, Fla., to Dover, Del. It was a 25-hour haul that required a day of recuperation on Al's part before he was able to play golf.
``It takes me about 24 hours to get back to where I'm feeling halfway decent,'' the Leo, Ind., native said. ``The tiredness usually doesn't hit me until the next day.''
Merilyn usually helps Al with the driving and is his caddie on the golf course, but she won't be able to assist him on this trip. She cracked two ribs in the motor home last week when Al had to make a sudden stop in traffic and she slammed up against a knob on the stove and fell.
``It scared me when I looked back and she was laying down in pain,'' Al said. ``I thought she was hurt really bad.''
Al and Merilyn met on a blind date in Florida three years ago and were married on the Cover Bridge Golf Course in Sellersburg, Ind., last year. The course is owned by Fuzzy Zoeller and the ceremony took place between the third and fourth holes.
With their wedding anniversary approaching, it would make for a big celebration if Al qualifies for the 90-player field. He's only done it four times since turning pro.
``This is an awful special week,'' Al said. ``That's why I'm trying to make it.''
The couple has a home in Syracuse, Ind., and a second home, a RV site, at the Deer Creek (Fla.) Golf and RV Resort. Their neighbors, Levi and Millie Schmucker, in Indiana send the Richards their mail each week and take care of their house.
They spend less than two months a year in their stationary home.
``We spend most of our time on the Senior Series,'' Richards said. ``Really, we live in the motor home.'' MEMO: Tickets for the Senior Series are $10 per day. The tournament runs
Thursday through Saturday. For information call 549-1440. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
PAUL AIKEN/Staff
Merilyn and Al Richards and their dog Bobo stand in front of their
37-foot Friendship motor home. Al will be playing in the Senior
Series golf event in Chesapeake starting Thursday.
by CNB