HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-08-24, Page 38Editor Gerard Creces
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011 • Signal -Star 37
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Serving Goderich and surrounding area
itland Country Club celebrates 90 years of history
es
itland Country
the land it occu-
a. long and cele-
story, and as the
ares for its 90th
:tournament and
i n this weekend,
o looking back on
des of golf and
oderich.
played as early as
g the river, but it
til the summer of
the club opened
everend David
St. Andrew's Scot -
edited for laying
ginal course, the
which was on • the
ck of land where
e now.
where the course
has served many
- from the Chip
returned, to the
ds each year, to a
strict to a military
• und. Salt mining
rail station could
•.nnd alongthe
edge. As proof of
past, the ghostly
f a distillery can
en north of the
• lock.
ding board mem-
of the Scottish,
ied menthem-
dges, politicians,
en and many of
es can still be
oderich today;.
ooney, Saunders,
ns. When Cana-
- rs.returned from
Scotland during
brought back an
on for the sport
the air force was
t in the 40's, serv-
uld be found on
and the trophies.
• along the lower
the course was.
built over many
original bottom
27 show a series
nd ponds where
re today. In the
western stretch
would become holes 8 and
9.
Women from the start
took a keen interest in the
club and the sport, and the
ladies' social events and fun-
draisers were and still are
very much instrumental in
the club's development.
Joyce Shack, President of
the Maitland Board of Direc-
tors, joined the club in 1979.
She said the women of Mait-
land play a very important
stewardship role.
"We have a group of hard-
working ladies who feel
responsible for the club and
don't mind supporting it,"
she said. "Men do their thing
more quietly. It's probably
easier for therm to have a
tournament than a bake
sale."
Each year the women of
Maitland pick a project,
whether it be repainting the
club houseto new chairs,
and Shack noted their yearly
bridge -party also helps to
reach their annual goals.
This year will see come
changes to the Maitland. At
the board's annual meeting
last month they decided to
dispense with the shares of
the club, sold for $50 since
it's inception.
To most members, she
said, it doesn't really matter
if they have shares on .the
board or not.
"Most people want to play
golf," she said. "Not worry
about the business of golf."
Part of the reason for get-
ting rid of shares, Shack
explained, is that the board
is seeking Trillium funding
for repairs to the club house
and curling club roof.
"Our prime goal was to
make ourselves eligible for
some funding," she said:
"We've done that and now
we're proceeding with our
(grant) application"
As for the list of local
champions, none were as
successful on the Maitland
links than Tony Bedard,.
Tony racked up 16 holes In
one over his lifetime of
golfing - five of which were
on hole number 5.
The club's storied history
has been affectionately
summed up in Ninety Years:
A History of the Maitland
Country Club 1921-2010, by
Ray Bedard Tony's son.
"1 took 'my dad over. to St
Andrew's for his 75th birth-
day," Bedard recalls. "On the
plane over he just started
telling me stories of the
Maitland in the 40s and
50s.rr
Bedard said the most
interestingfact for him was
that the clubhouse is on
exactly the same spot as
Samuel Platt's original salt
mine, as well as how many
high-profile golfers made
stops at the Maitland.
"I have, a history there" he
said. "It's where I grew up as
a kid:`
Many tournaments have
been added over the years,
as well as a rejuvenated jun-
ior program led by course
Pro Dave Bedour..
Bill Hanly has been a
member for 40 years, and
helping with the junior pro-
gram for. 15, getting started
with dear, departed friend,
Tony Bedard.
"1 enjoy it with the kids,
and it just became natural,
he said of his involvement.
"I enjoy it very much. Made
a lot of good friends playing
golf."
Hanly has also seen a few
changes to thecourse,
including the installation of
the #1 green, and the mov-
ing of 06 to its current loca-
tion,.as well as many trees
planted. A former club
champion himself in 1978,
Hanly also shot a hole -in -
one on #7.
Of course, no matter what
changes have happened to
the course or the grounds
over the years, at the core of
it all lay a love of the game,
the people and the
camaraderie.
As Hanly put it: "I'm just
one of a whole lot of good
people at the Maitland.
" Some Maitland facts:
• The club formally opened July 6, 1921, and
Canadian Amateur champ, Frank Thompson, was
the officiator.
• Golfers familiar with the course will know that
the original first green is to the left of today's
hole 6, used now as a practice green.
• One hundred shares of $50 were sold in the
first year of the club.
• Canadian gotf legend Moe Norman was the
Maitland Invitational champion of 1952.
• The Department of Transportation purchased
land from the Maitland CC in ate buikl the
Sanford Bridge.
• In 1925, a full golf, tennis and social
membership cost a whopping $30, and a one -
day visitors pass was $1.
• By 1947 little had changes — membershte
were $15 for ladies and $25 for men. A day pass
was still $1.
- with files from Ninety Years: A History of the
Maitland Country Club 1921-2010, til► Ray
Bedard
Robarts breaks age, personal bests on the links
Ashley Gravett
Richard Robarts has been involved with
numerous sporting events in his lifetime, but
the 81 -year-old didn't take up golf until the
year 2008. He felt it was a sport for old men,
something he never considered playing until
well past retirement.
Richard joined the range in 2008, when he
found golf clubs in the back of his garage col-
lecting dust. From there, he hit balls continu-
ously until he had the courage to take on the
Baby Boomer Par 3 course at Goderich Sun-
set. Owner Gary Gravett caught him one day
playing with range balls on the course. When
told he wasn't allowed to use range balls.
Richard replied he had no idea.
The following summer, the Gravetts con-
vinced him to join the par 3 course, and
Richard started working with teaching pro-
fessional John Waite. John helped him with
his swing and the rules of golf. Richard
improved immensely throughout that season
and at the start of the 2010. year was ready to
take on the Sunset championship course.
Richard continued to work with John and
take playing lessons on the Sunset course to
improve every aspect of his game, be it slistitt
game, rules or club selection. Richard con-
tinues to set milestones when it comes to the
course and when the hope of breaking 100
was too easy, he moved on to 95. Richard was
able to break 95 with ease. With the help of
John Waite, Richard's goals seemed so easy
he went with the biggest goal of all - break-
inghisage.
Richard is now 81 years old and has br()-
ken his age. What makes his story so unique
and wonderful is that Richard wasn't happy
with just breaking 81. He wanted to break 80.
He has been so close all season with just a
few tough holes that put him above 80. It's
the strategic golf that has helped him out in
times of need and on August 4, Richard hit
his biggest golf milestone yet. He crushed his
goal of breaking 80 by shooting a 74.
After 15 holes of play he was even par.
The Gravetts and John Waite are beyond
excited for Richard shooting such a perfect
round. We wish him the best in his next
chapter of golf even though his 74 will be dif-
ficult to beat.