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