Format changes ahead for SMHA golf tourney?
Pat Payton In ideal weather conditions, the 8th annual St. Marys Minor Hockey Association golf tournament was held last Thursday at St. Marys Golf and Country Club.
Organizer Bob Davis hinted that there could be changes to the tourney format in upcoming years.
“We had a good turnout this year, but we’ve taken some suggestions into consideration to spice up the tournament and get people coming back out again,” Davis explained. “We’ve had some really good suggestions for changing things a little bit next year.
“What we may be going to is nine holes, followed by a luncheon. Golfers would be on the course from 10 a.m. to 1 or 2 p.m., or we could start later. For some people, 18 holes is a little daunting.
“What we’re trying to do is get some of the younger kids coming through minor hockey and their parents out so the tournament continues. A lot of the people who have supported this tournament over the past seven or eight years are getting to the age where their kids are at the end of their minor hockey careers,” he added.
16-under day’s best score
Last Thursday’s tourney format was again a Texas Scramble, with foursomes posting one score on each hole.
Four youngsters will have their names inscribed on the Dusty Aldis Players Cup, which was presented this year by family member Terry Crisp.
Andrew Davis and Brett O’Drowsky were on the team which posted the best low-gross score of the day (a 16-under-par 56). The adults in that group were Scott Speiran and Brett’s dad Pat.
Jesse De Groote and Hunter St. Louis were on a team which won for best low-net score (a 15-under-par 57). Adults in that group were Jesse’s grandfather Archie, and Hunter’s mom Carla.
The foursome of John Urquhart, son Fraser, Dennis Near and son Brendan finished with a 12-under-par score of 60.
Shooting a 10-under 62 was the team of Gord Youlton, his grandson Connor Preston, Russ Pelesh and Matt Stacey.
Hunter St. Louis and Jesse De Groote won closest-to-the-pin prizes on No. 7 for the youngsters in the field. Scott Speiran won a closest-to-the-pin prize on No. 9 for the adults.
Tourney notebook:
•Tournament organizers were pleased with the weather, and thanked the St. Marys G&CC staff for having the course in great condition.
“The weather was great, a perfect day,” organizer Bob Davis said. “There were very few clouds, lots of sun, but it wasn’t too hot or windy.
“I think everybody had fun, and everything went very smoothly,” he added.
•Following dinner, Terry Crisp had all the youngsters in the banquet hall applaud and thank the adults who played with them last Thursday. Two adults and two youngsters play in each foursome.
•Jeff Crisp, Terry’s son, was a guest at last Thursday’s dinner. He’s a scout with the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks.
•Only SMMHA players get their names inscribed on the Aldis Cup (to a maximum of three times), Bob Davis notes.
•There were several prizes won in a raffle. Tom Osgerby donated a putter, Downtown Pontiac donated a watch, minor hockey donated a Rock pullover, Terry Crisp donated a print of Nashville Predators’ forward Jordan Tootoo, and Dunny’s Source for Sports donated Rock hockey pants. Connor Preston won a Mark Bell Leafs’ autographed jersey in the same raffle.
•Norm Penney chipped in for an eagle 3 on No. 6, and Dan Armstrong eagled No. 15 for his team.
•Every participant last Thursday received an umbrella, with a SMMHA Rock logo.
•The 2009 SMMHA golf tournament will be held at River Valley in mid-August.