EDGA - Key Persons
Dario Cipriani was born in 1952 in Erie. He and his wife Donna are the parents of Kristen Shores (husband Ben) as well as the proud grandparents of Landon and Gianna Shores.
Dario, or "O", is a 1970 graduate from Cathedral Prep High School. He was a three- year letterman for the Ramblers golf team before he climbed the hill to Mercyhurst College. He graduated from the "Hurst" in 1974. Dario was a prominent member of the Laker golf team where he served three years as its captain. He was inducted into the Mercyhurst Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.
Dario spent his career in the insurance industry. He began as a sole proprietor but then helped build the successful Historic Square Agency. He achieved Certified Insurance Counselor designation in 1981 and was twice elected as member of Erie Insurance Group Agent Advisory Council 1979-1980 and 1986-1988. He fully retired from his insurance career in 2022.
"O" played golf at the Lake View Country Club for many years before joining the Kahkwa Club, where he is currently a member. He is also a member of the Old Memorial Golf Club in Tampa, Florida.
Dario first appeared on the EDGA scene in 1971 when he finished 21 st in the Amateur Championship. It didn't take "O" long to move his way up the leader board. By the mid 1970's, he opened the spigot of EDGA Amateur "Top tens" finishing 8 th in 1975; 5 th in 1976; 7 th in 1978; and 3 rd in 1980.
In 1984, Dario captured his first EDGA Amateur title. He shot rounds of 78-67-75 at Kahkwa Club, Erie golf Course and Lake View to edge Dave Smith, Brett Kieffer and Paul Lichtenwalter by 1 stroke. His second title came three years later in 1987 in the same event, this time at Gospel Hill Golf club, Lawrence Park Country Club, and Lake View. His 3-under total was 4 strokes better that David Hewett.
"O"'s success was not limited to medal play. He played in the first official EDGA Match Play Championship in 1973 and won his first match. Eight years later, he made it to the semi-finals, falling to eventual winner and hall of famer, Dave Smith.
He was a Match Play qualifier 17 consecutive years between 1981 and 1997, losing in the finals 3 times, in 1985 (Ed Podufal), 1991 (Tom Amendola) and 1995 (Don Fessler, Jr.). His losses in 1985 and 1991 came in sudden death.
He was dominant in the 80's and into the 90's recording both his victories, 2 runners up and 2 third place finishes and a total of 12 top 10's in a 14- year span.
Outside the EDGA "majors", Dario partnered with Richard Marasco to claim three EDGA Better-Ball titles in 1985, 1990 and 1993 and one with Tom Amendola in 1983. He and his father Peter won the Father Son in 1983. In all, his EDGA totals showcase 7 EDGA titles and 6 runner-up finishes which currently lands Dario 10 th overall in the EDGA rankings.
Dario's success was not limited to Northwestern Pennsylvania and EDGA events. He played in two US Amateurs, in 1981 at the Olympic Club and then in 1990 at Cherry Hills Golf Club. He also played in two US Mid-Amateurs, in 1988 at Prairie Dunes, and 1989 at Crooked Stick.
"O" captured 4 club championships during his career, one at the Erie in 1980 and 3 at Lake View in 1986-87 and 1992. He's won 2 senior championships at Kahkwa and another at Old Memorial Golf Club. He's made 6 holes-in-one. At one point, Dario held the course record at both Lake View (1979) and Gospel Hill with a score of 65.
Dario served as the President of the EDGA from 1990 through 1999 and has been its Vice-President ever since. He was the President of the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association in 2010-11 after 9 years of service to the WPGA. He currently serves on the WPGA Championship Committee. He is the Secretary and Captain of the League of the Lower Lakes- Erie Team as well as a long-time participant on that team. Dating back to 1898, the "League" is the oldest regional competition of its kind in the country.
Mr. Cipriani is also generous with his time to our community. He served as President of the Mercyhurst National Alumni Association as is currently a member of Mercyhurst University Board of Trustees. Dario sat on the boards of Catholic Charities and St. Vincent Hospital. He's a National Director of Evans Scholars Program. Dario is an active member of St. Patrick Church where, among other activities, he volunteers as Lector, Eucharistic Minister & Adult Funeral server. He was inducted as a Knight of St. Patrick in 1988.
Dave Smith was born June 6, 1955. He is married to Kim (Bobelak) Smith and they have three children: Cory, Amanda and Nicole. They are also the proud grandparents of Luke, Faith, Kaylee, and Peyton.
"Smitty" is a 1973 graduate of Cathedral Prep where he was a 4-year letterman in golf. He captured the District 10 championship in 1973. Loyal and True to his Ramblers, Dave would later return to his alma mater to serve as its head golf coach.
Dave began his post high school play at Miami-Dade Junior College in 1974. The 6'4" smooth swinging, lanky linkster was part of the AJCAA national championship team with Billy Britton in 1975. He finished 5th overall as an individual and was honored as a first team All American. He also won the South Florida Intercollegiate that year. Smitty then moved on to the University of New Orleans where he completed his college career as a member of the Privateers' golf team.
Dave was a force to be reckoned with in EDGA circles. His early success came in 1975 when he was crowned Match Play King at Lawrence Park G.C. after defeating Chuck Moon in the finals. He returned to the championship the next year at Gospel Hill G.C. but was unable to overcome another titan of the time, Dale Loeslein. Determined to get back on top of the podium, Smitty defeated Dario Cipriani in the semi-finals and Tom Amendola in the finals to win the 1981 title at Erie G.C. Dick Ambrose spoiled Dave's chance of getting his name on the trophy for a third time in 1983 at the Kahkwa CC. Mr. Smith's match play record shows 27 wins against 10 losses, two titles, two runners-up and 12 match play appearances in 13 years.
While chasing the gold, Smitty was minting silver in the EDGA Amateur stroke play tournament. From 1972 through 1984 he participated in every event, impressively beating every player in the field but one on four occasions, in 1974 (Gene George), 1981 (Brett Kieffer), 1982 (Kevin Benovic), and 1984 (Dario Cipriani). Three of his runner-up finishes were by a single shot and the other by 2. He had 6 other "top tens" in that period. Finally, in 1985 Dave won the gold. After rounds of 71-71 at Erie and Lake Shore CC and trailing Tom Amendola and Dario Cipriani by 2 strokes after 36 holes, Smitty fired a 72 at Kahkwa to clutch the coveted trophy. In 13 years, he finished in the top 6 of the stroke play event, eleven times.
As a member of the Erie G.C. squad, Smitty teamed with two other EDGA Major Champions, Dale Loeslein and John Mazza, to win the 1975 and 1977 EDGA Interclub championships. Choosing golf as his profession, Dave closed his relatively short EDGA career with 3 major titles and 6 runner- up finishes.
Following his stellar amateur run, Dave turned pro in 1985, the day after winning the EDGA Amateur. He had 12 lessons that next day and has been actively teaching golf ever since, 37 years in all and counting. While he worked as an assistant to Joe Borawski at Lake Shore Country Club from 1987 to 1994, he knew that his talent and love for the game was better suited outside the shop and at the range.
Throughout his career he has mentored a number of EDGA and EDWGA major champions. One of his greatest joys involves teaching juniors. Over the years, he has taught 9 EDGA Major Champions and 4 EDWGA champions. He was also an instructor at the Gannon University Kids College in 1987.
Dave has been the swing doctor to countless young and old, aspiring and frustrated, promising and not so promising, players at the ranges of Big Tree; Country Greens; Sportland, and the Golf Dome. He currently provides hope to many at the Millcreek Golf and Learning Center.
As a player, he has won several local pro-am events. He competed in the U.S. Open qualifier on ten different occasions. Dave's personal bests include a score of 63, at the time, the course record at Gospel Hill; and the same scorching score at Riverside.
Dave was mesmerized by the late Arnold Palmer. Like Mr. Palmer, Smitty has a strong work ethic; a deep passion for the game; and he has helped grow the game. Physically, like Arnie, Dave has big strong hands. One of Smitty' s fondest golf memories is when he met the legendary Palmer in the bag room at Kahkwa. Smitty received an autographed copy of Arnie's book and a firm handshake from the King.