2005 RGM fore SPF Golf Classic held Nov. 5
River Course in Queenstown, Maryland
The Milbourne family could not have asked for a more
beautiful day to hold the third annual Richard G.
Milbourne Golf Classic. With temperatures in the 70’s, the
golfers enjoyed the tournament held at Queenstown Harbor.
In addition to the golf tournament, everyone enjoyed
dinner and both a live and silent auction. The tournament
tradition began in 2003 as Rick Easterling's idea to honor
his grandfather. Richard Milbourne, who was an avid
golfer, died in September 2002 at the age of 91. All three
of Mr. Milbourne’s children - Ruth, Joan and Richard – are
affected by Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, which was
passed on by their mother.
The golf tournament, with 132 golfers, proved to be a
success. The golfers especially enjoyed the three food
stations and contests set up along the course. During the
day, people were able to view and bid on the silent
auction items. The silent auction included autographed
sports memorabilia, golf gift certificates, vacation
packages plus a variety of other items.
The names of the tournament winners will be added to the
nameplate on the RGM Classic Trophy. The trophy, called
the President's Cup, which Richard Milbourne received in
1961 from winning a Suburban Trust Company tournament, was
modified with a base so it could be used to commemorate
the winners of the RGM Classic.
In total, the event generated approximately $14,500 for
the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation Research Fund.
Our thanks to the many sponsors, golfers and donors for
making the third RGM Golf Classic a success.
 Committee
Members - Joan and Jack Heinicke, Rick and Gail
Easterling, Ruth Easterling, Randy and Wendy Easterling,
John and Lee Heinicke, Joe and Sandie Heinicke, Lisa
Lewald, Annette Lockwood, Cindy and Kevin Compher, LuAnn
and John Webb
Sponsors – Bedrock Foundations, Inc., ExxonMobil
Corporation (see foursomes at right) , Ledo's, US Golf
Pass, SunTrust Bank
Mr. Milbourne overcame an impoverished boyhood to become
one of the District of Columbia's leading businessmen as
founder and President of Acme Iron Works, Inc. He
took up golf as a teen, and it quickly became his life long
passion. An accomplished golfer, he later became a member
of the Seniors International Golf Association and played
the sport all over the country and abroad. He played golf
within months of his passing just before turning 93.
Mr. Milbourne was personally touched by HSP when his first wife Anna Harper
began to have trouble walking. Mrs. Milbourne's brothers
and sisters also had a similar difficulty with their legs.
Not knowing what it was, they called it the "Harper
Shuffle".
Doctors later told the family that the Harper Shuffle was
an upper motor neuron disorder called Hereditary Spastic
Paraplegia. The condition unfortunately passed down to
each of their three children Ruth Milbourne Easterling,
Joan Milbourne Heinicke and Richard P. Milbourne. It also
appears to be now be affecting some of their children as
well.
The inaugural Richard G. Milbourne Memorial Golf Classic
was organized as a family event in tribute to a beloved
father and grandfather who cared deeply for his family.
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