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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1984-06-27, Page 17By Rod Hilts Call it fate" Last Wednesday was not a typical day in the life of Rod Hilts. Last Wednesday was a day TM probably never forget. The way the day began undoubtedly molded what would happen later on that afternoon. After -attending a press conference at the Third Annual Dave Scatcherd Invitational Golf T,ourtianient in Grand Bend, I was primed for a late afternoon golf game with my journalistic cohorts. ,At -.Grand Bend my interview with Gary Cowan, two-time winner of the U.S. Amatfeur Golf Title set off visons of parred holes and birdies. in my mind. An inspirational chat with Bill Mahoney, Coach of the Minnesota North Stars, left me with a feeling that National Hockey League coaches are human too, not the disposable garbage bags most general managers make them out to be. A few hours after the Grand Bend interviews, I plotted my course for the Sunset Golf Course in Goderich for my first golf -game in three years. The game would serve as a practice session for the Signal - Star Publishing .(SSP) Golf Tournament held on Saturday. It also gave me•a chance to try out a set'of clubs that I inherited from my uncle - clubs that were five leagues ahead of my game. Mentally, I felt prepared for the challenge but physically, my swing was telling me other things. I fired 30 -yard tee • shots, scored triple bogeys and cursed a lot of profanity at my golf ball - but fate was on my side. I flipped my golf cart over, I spilled my beverage down my golf bag and I was bitten by mosquitoes - but fate was still on my side. My iron shots resembled putts and my putts resembled iron shots. Who would have wanted to remember a day when the closest thing to resemble a birdie putt was a seagull that landed near my ball on the ninth green? But it happened on the second hole.• • After scoring an embarrassing nine on the Par 5 hole one, I made a "strategic" change from a Titlest 2 to my late uncle's favorite ball a Topflight 1. (When in doubt, blame the , As 1 walked toward the spcondhole Par 3 tee.off, still cursing milder my breath, I made it a point to be the last one off the tee (for the sake of embarrassment),. With no particular style in mind, I grabbed a tee and proceeded to .grab the closest iron to my hand - ah! the trusty old three iron! I belted the ball with surprising authority and actually had some direction on it. The ball bounded off the green and appeared to be in some bushes beyond the hole. Again, I cursed. Stupid &? !!$&$$! ! iron, stupid ?? ! !$$& ball, stupid ?$! !&&! !$ game! After my three colleagues had all of their second shots on the green, I began the search for my Topflight. I went in a 25 -yard radius of the hole and was giving up on the damn thing when working -cohort Gary Haist suggested we check out the hole. "Why not," I said as I continued the search, "I've got nothing to lose". A few minutes later, a voice of excitement erupted from near the hole. "My god, you've got a hole -in -one laddy," he said in a semi - hysterical manner, while slapping me on the back and shaking my hand. I was in. shock. My first instinct was to look toward the heavens and think of my late Uncle Mick! It was weird, it was like he directed it into the hole. Call it fate. I was using his clubs and his personalized ball (On the ball was the insignia "TTC - Drive like a pro"). After the second hole, my game continued its slide,but I really didn't care. I had accomplished a goal that many golfers can only dream of. In last Saturday's SSP Golf tournament the hole -in -one was still on my mind. Although I came no where near shooting a hole -in -one, I was still pleased with my accomplishment. I fired a 120 for 18 holes but despite the score, I plan on keeping up my golf game. After last week's golfing experience I can't help thinking that fate played the biggest part in my game. Broomball players took to the ball diamonds in Blyth on the weekend for a Slo-Pitch tournament. Twenty men's and eight ladies' took part in the event. The Blyth Eighth Liners captured the 'Et' title. (Shelley McPhee photo) Clinton and Goderich raceways reopen for the horse from page 15. Taylor of Clinton. Randy Henry todk second with Jambo Flo for Murray Weber of Ripley: Jim Watt of Londesboro gave his Miss Dawnglo her second win in a row and her eighth of the year from 21 starts, with a 2.08.4 mile in the fifth. Ross Battiri finished third. with Poplar Lynn for Les Campbell of Seaforth. •Countella, co -owned by trainer -driver Dale Kennedy and Gordon Dick of Seaforth, won in her second start of the year, timed in 2.10.4 for the mire. • Frank MacDonald was second with Ceti:- tinare for Walter and May Pepper of Clin- ton. Robert Windsor drove Taravelle to a new 2.05.2 record for owner Fred Windsor of Lucan in the seventh. D.J. Dariel, a two-year-old colt by,Willcox - Belle Dariel by Alley Fighter, that had won, his ,qualifier in 2.09.4, finished second for owner -trainer -driver Dennis Jewitt of Clin- ton. Frank MacDonald of Clinton was, third with his Armbro Jet mare, Grayfriars Faye. The, Clinton Centennial Pace will be featUred at Clinton Raceway on Sunday, Ju - ii. Post -time is at 1:30 p.m. with qualifiers approximately one hour earlier. • Jonquette was third at Flamboro Downs on June 19 for Larry Daw of Clinton and. Claude Daw of Mississauga with Randy McLean on the bike in the 2.04.2 mile. Johnny Freight, co -owned by John. Lester of Forest and Ken Parke of Varna won his first of the year in 2.07.3 at Dresden on June 20. The five-year-old' pacer by Keystone Smartie - Kawartha Freight took a 2.03.4 record in 1983 when he had a (6-10-8) stan- ding from 49 starts, good for $9,696. Goderich Raceway reopened for the 1984 season on Thursday, June 21. • The "Hire -A -Student" pace winner was a four-year-old Jonquil Hanover gelding Thomas Whitney, co -owned by trainer - driver Keith Coates of Centralia and Whitney Coate's of Exeter, timed in 2.05. The blanket presentation was made by assistant manager,.John Donatis. Fred Maguire was second with his RJ Direct, a pacer by Scamp Direct -Miss Belle Bars that was raised by Fred (Pete) Fowler near Londesboro: • Ross 'Battin finished third with Joellas Knight for Bill Bennett of Seaforth, followed by Randy Henry with Rustic Helene and Carol Fisher with Handy Slipper. • Randy McLean won the first in 2.10.1 with Garmor Enuff for Tom McLean of Goderich, while Ray Mathers took third with Mary Jo Scot for the Broken M. Stables and Scott Riehl of Goderich. • Tammy Watt finished fifth with Mr. Super Crain for Tim Robinson and Jim Watt. • Londesboro Chief, a three-year-old ,gelding by Scram -Miss Belle Bars, also from the Fowler farm, was fourth in a 2.06,3 mile with Fred Maguire up for owner Jean ,Maguire of Ailsa Craig. • e , He has been in the money in all six of his lifetime starts, including two' seconds and two thirds. John Muir of Seaforth gave Red Oak Ex- press, owned by Gerald Schenk of Crediton: ,a new 2.06.3 pacing record in the third. Borden Litt of Teeswater gave his three- year-old Super Wave filly, Super Peg, her first lifetime win in 2.10.3. • Bill Rapson was second with Apopka Byrd, a Florida -bred pacer by Shiaway Frosty -Pan Byrd by Dick Byrd, owned by Gorlyn Acres (Gord, Bill and Cindy Rapson) of R.R. 3, Clinton in his first lifetime start. Third was another newcomer to the races, Kim Mathers, a three-year-old filly by Be • Bye Mike. - Sebringville by Newport Duke, driven by Ray Mathers for the Broken Stables. Ross Battin drove Merrywood Liz to her • racing season... first win of the year from five starts, timed in 2.08.3 for Bill Bennett of Seaforth. John Muir was second with Highland Ova-. tion for Gerald Schenk, while Randy McLean finished third driving Lissas Girl for Bob and Ron Daer of Goderich. Wayne Dupee of Clinton gave Miss Krista Hal her third win from seven starts in 1984. She has also had two seconds and one third. Ross Battin was third driving Poplar 1.,yrin for Les Campbell of-Seaforth. Jim Watt of Londesboro won the tenth in 2.09 with his Miss Dawnglo. Tho eight-year-old Horton Hanover mare had previously been 'racing at Sudbury with Tim Robinson where she. had already won •six races. Dale Kennedy finished second with Becky Hi for Joe Lane of Seaforth, while Randy • McLean was third with Parsons Prince for James McGillivray of London. There will be races again on Thursday, June 28 at Goderich Raceway with post -time. •at 7:45 p.m. • GG Columbo, owned by Paul Dougherty, Leroy' Meriam and Bob Daer of Goderich, won in 2.04.3 at Flamboro Downs on Satur- day night for trainer -driver Randy McLean. JJ Danny, owned by Ian Fleming of Clin- ton finished third for driver Dennis Jewitt at Hanover Raceway on June 23. 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On Sunday, the Colts travelled to Exeter and split a double header with the Seniors. Clinton took the opener 12-9 but dropped the second game 4-3. Their record now'stands at 7-4, four points ahead of the second -place Kincardine Royals (5-3). Last Wednesday night, Clinton hosted the Juniors and edged them 13-12 for a come - from -behind victory. Don MacDonald, Bill Tugwell, Hans Leppington and Andy Flowers had two hits each for the Colts. Randy Keys pitched up the win in relief, allowing one run over the last two innings. Exeter opened up the scoring in the second inning when McKellar led off with a walk, stole second and scored one out later, on a double by Ditmore. ' Clinton got five runs in their half of the inning with Brent Daw acting as the cornerstone by blasting a bases -loaded triple. . After Clinton had built up a comfortable 7- 1 lead, the bottom fell out of the boat as Exeter scored seven times in the fifth. The Colts got the first two batters on a pair of walks and two bad -hop singles spelled double trouble.' With two runs in, Drager walked to load the bases. Pratt then walked to score a run. An error by Colt shortstop Mark Robinet allowed another run to score before Hayter unloaded with a triple to put Exeter into the lead. The Colts rebounded with two of their own in the fifth inning. With Robinet on first, Dave Bartliff singled, advancing Robinet to third. Bartliff proceeded to steal second and both runners scored on Don MacDonald's double. Exeter took a 12-10 lead in the sixth on a pair of bases on balls and two singles but the Colts came back with three runs of their own in the seventh for the win. Colts 12-3 Seniors 9-4 •On Sunday, the Colts split a double header against the Exeter Seniors winning the first game 12-9 and losing the second one 4-3. In game one, Clinton fell behind 6-0 early but managed to battle back. After David Atthill reached base on an error, Doug Fairbairn singled and Paul Gillmore walked to load the bases. One out later, Kevin Hern walked to bring in one run. After Bogart struck out, Steve Pearse walked and Brian Mercer doubled to bring in four more runs. Bob McDonald singled scoring Mercer, before the Colts could get Atthill to fly out to pitcher Andy Flowers to end the nightmare -like inning. In the fourth inning, the Colts began to whittle away at Exeter's 7-0 lead. Dan Colquhoun led the Clinton charges with a walk and Leppington slapped a single, to put runners on first and second. Greg • Burns then walked to load the .bases and Robinet got the first of his three 'singles down the third base line to score two runs. , The Colts got three more in the fifth inning . on three hits and two bases on balls. Cal Fremlin opened the inning with a double and went to third on Colquhoun's single to left field. Fremlin scored on a fielder's choice to Leppington. Burns followed with a walk and stole second. Robinet drove in Burns and Colquhoun with a double down the third base line. • Clinton 'continued to close the gap in the seventh inning as Del Mitchelmore slammed a triple and scored on Fremlin's single. With the score 7-6 in favor of Exeter, Burns cracked a double to score Fremlin °and deadlock the score at 7-7. With two runs in and two runners on base, • '6V . 14*am ittuiithed ope ver the fence to give Clinka_it 12-7 lead. give scored twice in the seventh but Scott MacDonald shut the dpor the rest of the wayx saving the game for Flowers. *tehelinore and Robinet each had three hittifor the .Colts while Fremlin and Lippington connected for two each. hr game two, Clinton got a quick jump on Exeter but ran out of gas early in losing a 4-3 contest. Don MacDonald opened the game in his usual style by hitting a single and stealing second. He then advanced to third on an error by the catcher. Fremlin then bounced out 4-3, scoring MacDonald. After Burns and Leppington singled, the Colts' Robinet again left his mark - only this time it was on his ribs as he caught a fast ball high under the arm. After reaching first base, Robinet began spitting blood and left the. game. He was taken to the hospital, where x-rays revealed he had a bruised lung. He returned in the fifth inning. The Colts ended up scoring twice more in the inning to take a 3-0 lead. Exeter came back with a run in the third and two in the fourth to tie the game 3-3. The Seniors got the winning run off Randy Keys, who came in to relieve Mike Wiliscraft. Keys only allowed one hit but two Colt errors let him down. He nailed down the final two batters on strike outs. Leppington led the Colts in the game going 3 for 3, with two singles and a double. Don MacDonald had a pair of singles. Last night (Tuesday) the Colts played in Thorndale but results weren't available at press time. The team travels to Strathroy for a July 4 encounter. Clinton's next home games are on July 6 and 8 at 8 and 7 p.m. Dugout Dust First baseman Hans Leppington continues to hit at a torrid pace after going 0-9 at the beginning of the season, Leppington has gone 7-13, raising his average to .318. Mark Robinet is making the transition from. softball to hardball very nicely. Robinet is leading the team with 10 RBIs, followed by Bartliff with 9, Colquhoun with 8 and Leppington with 7. _ . Clinton Colts' team batting MacDonald Mitchelmote Flowers Burns Leppington Colquhoun Fremlin Fleet Robinet Bartliff Chisholm Tugwell Williscraft Daw Keys Peck MacDonald Other AB RBI AVE 29 24 19 30 22 10 4 28 23 8 • 15 12 21 '4 12 4 11 5 .483 4 .375 6 .368 5 .333 7 8 3 0 10 9 03 1 5 1 1 0 1 .318. .394 .300 .500 .286 .260 .250 .200 .166 .143 .000 .083 .000 .090 SHORT TERM CERTIFICATES Minimum s 50,000." SHORT TERM CERTIFICATES Minimum $5,000.°° A Federally Chartered Trust Company/Member Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Peter M. Shephard - Manager 138 The Square, Goderich, Ontario, Telephone (519) 524-7385 Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday; Friday till 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 noon