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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-09-02, Page 28Pcip 28 The Huron Expositor • September 2, 2009 News Golfers, fans and volunteers stick it out in the rainy weather during Country Classic From Page 1 organizers the Doig family. During a reception after Unk an Hahn completed the 18th hole, th winner thanked his caddie — Sea forth's Brian Nigh. "This year, I tried to listen to him every time and he was right every time," Unk said. "I couldn't have done it without you, Brian." Nigh billeted Unk at his house during the tour last year and also caddied for the pro, when he fin- ished in 22nd place. "It was pretty crazy but a lot of fun," Nigh said about his experi- ence with Unk last week. "There were times when you could tell he was a little nervous and I was too." Nigh says Unk would ask his advice mostly about the course's putting greens, which Nigh knows well after golfing at the local club for years. "I tried to help when I could," Nigh says. Dan Halldorson; deputy director of the Canadian Tour, commend- ed the fans and volunteers of the event for sticking it out during a week that saw a few days of rainy, cold weather. "This is a small community, but you still get out and watch the tournament," he said, also thank- ing Seaforth Country Classic event d "The players enjoy this week prob- e ably more than they do in a lot of our events," Halldorson said. "The hospitality is second to none." More than 100 golfers were billet- ed at the homes of local residents last week and 220 volunteers also helped out in various ways on the course. "The spectators were tremendous to come out in this cold weather and watch these guys put on a show," said Seaforth Golf Club co- owner Cam Doig. "They're bundled up like it's January out here, but they walked the whole course and they were fabulous." The final day of the tournament drew about 600 fans, fewer than expected, ,due to the weather. Throughout the week, approxi- mately 4,000 spectators watched the tournament unfold. The event raised $10,000 for the Gateway Rural Health Institute through ticket sales, and event or- ganizer Carolanne Doig says she ex- pects the golf club will break even, ;noting that the cost of running the tournament is about $50,000. Cam Doig says the club plans to host the event again next summer. "It'll be even better next year," he said. Above, the crowd at the ninth hole endures .a hard rain for part of the after- noon on Aug. 30. Periodic rain gave way to calmer tem- peratures near the end of the day. Above, James Hahn of California sinks a putt. Hahn finished in second place during the second annual Seaforth Country Classic. Left, caddie Brian Nigh of Seaforth gives golf pro Brie Unk some sugges- tions on the green. Dan Schwab photos