Saturday June 15th, 2013
On a sunny warm Saturday seventeen fivesomes played a Scramble competition to celebrate their 100th year as an organized golf club.
The groups composed of four Stratford members and one GHSC helper enjoyed a fun competition preceded by a luncheon and introductions of local club dignitaries who each hit a ceremonial tee shot .Yours truly represented the GHSC and managed an air born tee shot onto the fairway despite heckling from the Society bystanders.
We then went out and played 18 holes of scramble golf with several good scores being turned in. Low for the day was a team advised by David Burgess and Dave Blocksidge who scored six under par 65. President Paul Sorley also captained a team scoring a four under par 67.
Following the golf the 85 participants and guests, well over 100 in number, retired to the clubhouse for a great supper and celebrations of the days activities. The local club historian gave a short talk on what the course, club and golfers went through to create the golf club in the early 20th century.
Tales of teeing the ball up with sand tees and smooth faced clubs sound familiar to those of us who play in 19th Century reenactment events , such as The Macdonald Challenge at Niagara on the Lake or the National Hickory Championship played the weekend previously in Philadelphia.
Among the prizes handed out were best dressed Stratford member,lady and gentleman and to our group as well. This was won by Ken Leedham in his moleskin breeks and vest, a popular choice of the assembled members and guests.
Events like this are successful because of the enthusiasm and organization of the local club. Stratford's 100th committee led by Joyce Harrison and Pro Dave Lee did an outstanding job to give us all a great experience. Many thanks to them for throwing a great party.
For us the GHSC, this represents the 10th such event since we started with Westmount CC in 2006.
We have one more to go this year at Barrie CC on Sat July 13th. This promises to be another great event with David Burgess and Ted Van den Tillaart convening our group. If you are signed up look for instructions forth coming.
Submitted by Doug Marshall - Convenor