1944
Dennis
2021
Dennis “Denny” P. Walters
December 22, 1944 — February 4, 2021
Dennis “Denny” Paul Walters, of St. Charles, Missouri, passed away Feb. 4, 2021 in Fort Myers, Florida at the age of 76. Denny was a devoted father to Angel (Ben) Likens and Denny Walters Jr. and Stepfather to Duane Prichard and the late Scott Prichard. He was a loving grandfather to Saxon and Saylor Walters, Caley Likens, Ella and Bryce Prichard, Corie Rice, Storm and Gabby Prichard. Denny was the cherished son of the late Dr. Charles Henry “Doc” and Doris Katherine Walters. He was also dearly close with cousins Alan (Gail) Walters, Cheryl (Tom) Wapelhorst, and the late Brad (Maureen Kuhlmann) Walters.
Born in St. Charles, Missouri, Golf was a part of Denny’s life for over seven decades. Walters began at the age of 8, caddying for his father, “Doc,” at Crystal Lake Country Club, Creve Coeur Country Club, and St. Charles Golf Course.
In 1962, his parents, Doc and Doris Walters, bought the ground which is now Bogey Hills Country Club. Denny, while at Chaminade High School, helped in the renovation of the clubhouse and assisted in building the first nine holes.
Denny attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, where he was a four-year letterman in golf. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968-1973 where he was stationed in McCoy Air Force Base in Orlando, Florida and in Kadena Air Force Base on the island of Okinawa. Denny was honored to serve his country.
Returning from service, he returned to Bogey Hills, which had been upgraded to an 18-hole course, and became the golf professional in 1977, the same year he was elected to PGA Membership.
Walters is a Past-President of the Gateway PGA Section (1981-82) and served from 1983-85 on the PGA Board of Directors, which he considered a highlight of his career. During that term, he was a member of two Ryder Cup Committees, served as Vice President, and had an integral part of securing the naming rights of the PGA West development, a turning point as it became a business organization rather than a fraternal organization. Denny was later inducted into the Gateway PGA Hall of Fame in 2000.
After giving the PGA Tour a try and not wanting to be a teaching professional, Denny went into golf course development. He teamed up with real estate developers and started Whitmoor Country Club and then The Missouri Bluffs. His desire to continue with golf course management led him to found Walters Golf Management, which developed and built The Links of Dardenne, The Golf Club of Wentzville, and Gateway National Golf Links. In the 2000’s, the company expanded to an additional 11 properties.
In 2009, Denny sold the management company and returned to Bogey Hills to support his family in its operation. Over the last decade, his focus was teaching his children, Angel Likens and Denny Jr., about how to operate a family-owned club. His passion was educating them on what he learned over years in golf course management, clubhouse and golf shop operations, as well as the importance of membership relationships. His children will continue his vision at Bogey Hills Country Club.
Denny had a love and dedication to Bogey Hills and considered the members and staff a second family in supporting the Walters family vision for 59 years.
In 2019, in recognition for his vision in elevating golf within his region, Walters was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.
Denny enjoyed spending time with family and friends in both St. Louis and Fort Myers. Denny was known for being a kind soul, willing to help others, and growing the game of golf through junior golf programs. He was a father, grandfather, mentor, and friend to many.
“I have had the time of my life growing this game…” - Denny Walters
Denny’s Celebration of Life
March 4th
4:00pm
5:00pm "Toasts" to Life
Refreshments to follow.
Bogey Hills Country Club
1120 Country Club Road
St. Charles, MO 63303
*The family will be livestreaming the Celebration of Life for anyone who is unable to attend in-person: https://youtu.be/Wja7wtcsxqM
If you would like to make a memorial contribution in honor of Denny’s life, the family requests to do so with a check written to “The St. Charles Metropolitan Golf Charities.” Donations can be mailed to Bogey Hills Country Club, 1120 Country Club Rd., St. Charles, 63303.
Born in St. Charles, Missouri, Golf was a part of Denny’s life for over seven decades. Walters began at the age of 8, caddying for his father, “Doc,” at Crystal Lake Country Club, Creve Coeur Country Club, and St. Charles Golf Course.
In 1962, his parents, Doc and Doris Walters, bought the ground which is now Bogey Hills Country Club. Denny, while at Chaminade High School, helped in the renovation of the clubhouse and assisted in building the first nine holes.
Denny attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, where he was a four-year letterman in golf. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968-1973 where he was stationed in McCoy Air Force Base in Orlando, Florida and in Kadena Air Force Base on the island of Okinawa. Denny was honored to serve his country.
Returning from service, he returned to Bogey Hills, which had been upgraded to an 18-hole course, and became the golf professional in 1977, the same year he was elected to PGA Membership.
Walters is a Past-President of the Gateway PGA Section (1981-82) and served from 1983-85 on the PGA Board of Directors, which he considered a highlight of his career. During that term, he was a member of two Ryder Cup Committees, served as Vice President, and had an integral part of securing the naming rights of the PGA West development, a turning point as it became a business organization rather than a fraternal organization. Denny was later inducted into the Gateway PGA Hall of Fame in 2000.
After giving the PGA Tour a try and not wanting to be a teaching professional, Denny went into golf course development. He teamed up with real estate developers and started Whitmoor Country Club and then The Missouri Bluffs. His desire to continue with golf course management led him to found Walters Golf Management, which developed and built The Links of Dardenne, The Golf Club of Wentzville, and Gateway National Golf Links. In the 2000’s, the company expanded to an additional 11 properties.
In 2009, Denny sold the management company and returned to Bogey Hills to support his family in its operation. Over the last decade, his focus was teaching his children, Angel Likens and Denny Jr., about how to operate a family-owned club. His passion was educating them on what he learned over years in golf course management, clubhouse and golf shop operations, as well as the importance of membership relationships. His children will continue his vision at Bogey Hills Country Club.
Denny had a love and dedication to Bogey Hills and considered the members and staff a second family in supporting the Walters family vision for 59 years.
In 2019, in recognition for his vision in elevating golf within his region, Walters was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.
Denny enjoyed spending time with family and friends in both St. Louis and Fort Myers. Denny was known for being a kind soul, willing to help others, and growing the game of golf through junior golf programs. He was a father, grandfather, mentor, and friend to many.
“I have had the time of my life growing this game…” - Denny Walters
Denny’s Celebration of Life
March 4th
4:00pm
5:00pm "Toasts" to Life
Refreshments to follow.
Bogey Hills Country Club
1120 Country Club Road
St. Charles, MO 63303
*The family will be livestreaming the Celebration of Life for anyone who is unable to attend in-person: https://youtu.be/Wja7wtcsxqM
If you would like to make a memorial contribution in honor of Denny’s life, the family requests to do so with a check written to “The St. Charles Metropolitan Golf Charities.” Donations can be mailed to Bogey Hills Country Club, 1120 Country Club Rd., St. Charles, 63303.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dennis “Denny” P. Walters, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Starts at 4:00 pm (Central time)
Bogey Hills Country Club, MO
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