By NCNews Staff
(This is the third in a series of feature stories on the 2007 inductees into the Lawrence County Historical Society Sports Hall of Fame).
BY JOHN D'ABRUZZO JD'ABRUZZO@NCNEWSONLINE.COM
John DiMuccio fell in love with golf. But he didn't find the game as much as it found him. DiMuccio grew up playing baseball and basketball. But an uncle, Lou Carkitto, wanted to get him involved with a new sport. "He had a hard time convincing me to try," DiMuccio said. "But once I got out there -- like a lot of people -- I got hooked. "It's a game you never master. It's very difficult. You have one good round one day, the next day you're terrible. That's what makes it so interesting." Golf helped put DiMuccio on the list of 13 honorees for this year's Lawrence County Historical Society Sports Hall of Fame. They will be inducted April 29 at the New Englander. "It's obviously an honor," the 57-year-old DiMuccio said. "It's unexpected, to tell you the truth. I feel good about it, but I don't know if I deserve it. Compared to really good golfers like Harry Toscano Jr., who came out of Lawrence County, I'm not even close to that." In addition to his uncle, DiMuccio had others help him understand his new pursuit. "We didn't have money back then, so (course manager) Joe Cooper at Sylvan Heights helped us self-finance balls and equipment," DiMuccio explained. "Joe was a wonderful guy. "Guys like (local golfing prodigy) John 'Rags' Gennock taught me a lot about the game. 'Rags' took me under his wing and not only taught me about golf, but he also taught me the mental part of the game, too." That aspect is what DiMuccio credits to helping him stay competitive. "I don't think I have a very good swing, I don't have much ability, I'm not strong, but I think I can win just by out-thinking the other guy," he said. "A lot of golf isn't physical ability; it's a lot of thinking. That's the fun of it; when you try to out-think your opponent when you're not as good as them." A 1967 graduate of Shenango High, DiMuccio was a letterman in both basketball and golf. Following high school he went on to excel in golf at Slippery Rock University, establishing an senior record of 22-1 before graduating in 1975. DiMuccio received All-America honors following his top 10 finish in the NAIA Division II national championship in Roswell, N.M. in 1975. He also qualified for the National Pub Links championship in Hawaii and the National Pub Links championship in Minnesota. "I didn't get a taste of DiMuccio in his younger years," said friend and golfing rival Ralph Litrenta. "He is one of the fiercest competitors I've ever played in golf. Every year he tries to get better. He just loves the game of golf and his record proves it." A 2004 Tri-State Amateur Champion, DiMuccio continues his passion for the game in local amateur play. He even qualified for the United States Golf Association Senior Amateur held outside of Atlanta, Ga., in 2005. Tied for third after the third day of medal play, DiMuccio finished 26th after the round completion to advance into the match play field of 64. "I shot a 68 the first day and lost in a match on the third day in 20 holes," DiMuccio said. "I played really well. The guy just played a little better." A three-time champion of the New Castle News tournament, DiMuccio is the only individual to win the event in three different decades (1970, 1980 and 2000). He became the oldest to win at age 51 long, 30 years after he was the third youngest to win at age 21. His brother, Albert, and nephew, Joey, have also won the event. "The whole competitiveness of (golf) can drive you," said DiMuccio, who is a six-time New Castle Country Club champion. "You want to beat people, especially the young guys. I get a kick out of beating the younger guys once in a while. "The biggest thing about golf for me is the friendships. That's what makes the game great." DiMuccio and his wife, Donna, have two daughters, Lisa Jarrett and Natalie DiMuccio, and a grandson, Jayson Jarrett.
John DiMuccio fell in love with golf. But he didn't find the game as much as it found him. DiMuccio grew up playing baseball and basketball. But an uncle, Lou Carkitto, wanted to get him involved with a new sport. "He had a hard time convincing me to try," DiMuccio said. "But once I got out there -- like a lot of people -- I got hooked. "It's a game you never master. It's very difficult. You have one good round one day, the next day you're terrible. That's what makes it so interesting." Golf helped put DiMuccio on the list of 13 honorees for this year's Lawrence County Historical Society Sports Hall of Fame. They will be inducted April 29 at the New Englander. "It's obviously an honor," the 57-year-old DiMuccio said. "It's unexpected, to tell you the truth. I feel good about it, but I don't know if I deserve it. Compared to really good golfers like Harry Toscano Jr., who came out of Lawrence County, I'm not even close to that." In addition to his uncle, DiMuccio had others help him understand his new pursuit. "We didn't have money back then, so (course manager) Joe Cooper at Sylvan Heights helped us self-finance balls and equipment," DiMuccio explained. "Joe was a wonderful guy. "Guys like (local golfing prodigy) John 'Rags' Gennock taught me a lot about the game. 'Rags' took me under his wing and not only taught me about golf, but he also taught me the mental part of the game, too." That aspect is what DiMuccio credits to helping him stay competitive. "I don't think I have a very good swing, I don't have much ability, I'm not strong, but I think I can win just by out-thinking the other guy," he said. "A lot of golf isn't physical ability; it's a lot of thinking. That's the fun of it; when you try to out-think your opponent when you're not as good as them." A 1967 graduate of Shenango High, DiMuccio was a letterman in both basketball and golf. Following high school he went on to excel in golf at Slippery Rock University, establishing an senior record of 22-1 before graduating in 1975. DiMuccio received All-America honors following his top 10 finish in the NAIA Division II national championship in Roswell, N.M. in 1975. He also qualified for the National Pub Links championship in Hawaii and the National Pub Links championship in Minnesota. "I didn't get a taste of DiMuccio in his younger years," said friend and golfing rival Ralph Litrenta. "He is one of the fiercest competitors I've ever played in golf. Every year he tries to get better. He just loves the game of golf and his record proves it." A 2004 Tri-State Amateur Champion, DiMuccio continues his passion for the game in local amateur play. He even qualified for the United States Golf Association Senior Amateur held outside of Atlanta, Ga., in 2005. Tied for third after the third day of medal play, DiMuccio finished 26th after the round completion to advance into the match play field of 64. "I shot a 68 the first day and lost in a match on the third day in 20 holes," DiMuccio said. "I played really well. The guy just played a little better." A three-time champion of the New Castle News tournament, DiMuccio is the only individual to win the event in three different decades (1970, 1980 and 2000). He became the oldest to win at age 51 long, 30 years after he was the third youngest to win at age 21. His brother, Albert, and nephew, Joey, have also won the event. "The whole competitiveness of (golf) can drive you," said DiMuccio, who is a six-time New Castle Country Club champion. "You want to beat people, especially the young guys. I get a kick out of beating the younger guys once in a while. "The biggest thing about golf for me is the friendships. That's what makes the game great." DiMuccio and his wife, Donna, have two daughters, Lisa Jarrett and Natalie DiMuccio, and a grandson, Jayson Jarrett.
