Click here for the complete results: 2012 results
Another year in the books! The 2012 edition will be remembered as the year of the rookies and for the course - Fox Harbour!
We had 20% (4) of the field as rookies in the WGC. Greg Wilson, Ron Schofield, Kevin Buckler and Dave Marcattili joined a core group of 16 returning players to give us an even 20 golfers. This was the highest # of participants since the 25th Anniversary.
The 29th was unusual for a few reasons: the practice round was held on Sat this year instead of the traditional Friday event. As well, there were two games back to back on Sunday at Fox Harbour thus separating the individual and Team rounds. Finally, we joined my father and uncles group so we could take advantage of playing Fox Harbour. In total there were 56 golfers between our two groups.
The weekend started a little earlier for some as Jay, Braum and Greg W decided to go to Truro Friday so they were a little closer to the venue Sat morning. By all accounts Jay had a rough night and was unusually quiet/tamed Saturday and Sunday. The parking lot at the Rainbow Motel in the Hub town will never be the same!
The rest of the participants converged on Pugwash to play the Northumberland Links on Saturday morning. It was a beautiful, hot summer day with temps in the high 20’s (28-29 degrees). Golfers were prepared to play ‘the fastest greens in the Province’ but talk around the practice tee suggested an 11 to 11.5 on the ‘stimp meter’ which although quick is not ‘lightening quick!’ Shane had a long wait as in typical Phil Henderson fashion – he picked Shane up ½ hour earlier than the agreed to pick up time of 6:45am. Phil – always antsy – wanted to ensure they would be at Pugwash (2hours max away) in plenty of time so he arrived at Shane’s place at 6:15am for a 10:00am tee time. Shane was left to scramble out of bed and rush to get ready. Unfortunately for Shane, he was in the last group out on Sat which didn’t put him on the course until close to 11:00am. A number of golfers were confused by the time to get to the course as Google Maps apparently said it was 2 hours and 20 minutes from Halifax. Actual travel time was more like 1:45minutes. This meant many people at the course in plenty of time to warm up and practice their putting.
Peter was one of the last to arrive – knowing he was in the final group. What he didn’t take into account was there would be no power or pull carts. Since he hadn’t brought his own cart this meant carrying his clubs which he hadn’t done in many years. Coupled with the heat and steep hill on number 6 – he was exhausted by the time he hit the 7th tee. Peter and Shane agreed that carrying the clubs was homage to Adam Mulrooney. Adam is infamous for always strapping the clubs on his back as ‘carts are for wimps’– his quote not mine! Adam was unable to attend this year as he was receiving treatment for throat cancer. Pleased to say his spirits are good and long term prognosis is excellent!
The second annual NB vs. NS challenge was on with Braum, Greg W, Ken, Greg E and Jason representing NS and Mark, Dave M, Murray, Ray and Craig representing NB. For the second straight year NS prevailed winning by 8 strokes (73 to 81). Some members of team NB complained that the new golfer NS recruited (Greg W.) stacked their team to give them an unfair advantage. Although it reeks of ‘crying over spilled milk’, it appears if this friendly rivalry is to continue - the teams will need to be more closely matched for fairness.
Highlights from Pugwash besides the beautiful weather and scenery included: Shane’s eagle on Number 11, Malcolm’s new nickname of Mulligan – apparently there were quite a few during his round and someone who will remain nameless for hitting the tee box and having the ball come back at his group standing around the tee. 12 out of the 20 golfers were below 100 and Greg W had low round of the day at 86 – beating Mark by 5 strokes. High round of the day went to Jason and a score of 118. Malcolm had 3rd lowest score at 92 but many suggested that score needed a large asterisk given his new nickname mentioned above. Putting was a challenge for some with 4 guys needing 40 or more putts and Dave Marcattili needing an astounding 44 putts. A number rarely seen since Dave Crick stopped playing in the early 90’s.
After the round a new twist was added as Ken G and Greg E organized a skills competition. Affectionately called Big Break Northumberland – it included 4 shots of varying difficulty down on the practice hole. Ken and Greg bravely measured everyone’s incoming best shot and had prizes donated from Golf Central for the overall winner (shortest aggregate distance) as well as for each of the 4 shots. Everyone seemed to enjoy this new feature although it took a little longer than expected and most of us were very hungry for supper by the time it ended 6:30-7:00pm. Going from memory here but I think Jay was the overall winner of aggregate distance across the 4 shots.
After a quick bite at the clubhouse it was off to Shangri La – Fox Harbour. A short 8 minute drive took us to the dark iron gates. Upon speaking our name into the intercom (just like ordering a coffee at Tim’s) the gates magically opened to allow us entry. Most were exhausted from the long day in hot sun but that didn’t deter everyone from being ‘blown away’ by the sheer beauty of the course and the accommodations. The golfers took a lot of pictures, cleaned up and converged on Dave and Mark’s room for the annual night festivities.
A big part of it this year was remembering our friend and fellow competitor Rob Power. Rob is the first guy to pass on since we started the Wedgewood 29 years ago. His tragic, sudden death earlier in the winter shocked all of us. We exchanged stories and favorite memories of Rob from his time in the Classic. Peter noted that Rob started coming to the Classic in 1998 at Digby Pines. A bit ironic because he finished last in the Low Net that first year but since then won it 3 times (twice in a tie-breaker). Rob made it to 13 of the 14 Classics that took place since he first attended only missing 2004. Each of the guys took a turn telling Rob stories/memories and the common theme was his love for the tournament and infectious smile. There is no question he is missed and it was unanimously agreed to rename the Low Net trophy the ‘Rob Power Memorial’ trophy!
The night continued with many beverages being consumed – Mark wearing his bathrobe and with some goading showed his famous ‘Demi Moore Vanity Fair cover pregnant pose’. Rookie Greg Wilson almost took himself out of the competition before it got started. Greg had a hard time with the steps going up to one of the rooms and had a rather nasty fall which resulted in a nasty gash on his forehead. He didn’t seem too phased by it though and proceeded to thank everyone multiple times for being allowed to play in the tourney and how much he loved Bird.
Next morning came early as we tried to get some nice food in us at the main resort prior to starting the first of two rounds. As usual a big contingent on the first tee as the groups set off on a long day in the hot sun. Action Jackson took some grief for his turquoise medical pants “paging Doctor Jackson” but did so in good humor. Peter (Bozo the clown, Barney the dinosaur last two years) was just relieved someone other than him was the brunt of the clothing jokes for a change.
The first morning round was our individual competition and it proved to be a tough test for most. Only three golfers made it into the 80’s (Greg E, Braum and Greg W). Greg E won by 4 strokes over Braum (who had his best score ever in the Classic) with an outstanding round of 83. Seven players finished in the 90’s, 10 were in the 100’s. Malcolm had an outstanding round by shooting well below his average with a 103. High score for the round belonged to Ian P at 124. Jay once again beat his oldest brother this time by 5 strokes after bettering him by 2 the day before.
It was a clean sweep for Greg E who with 30 putts edged Greg S by one. He won the long drive beating Braum by approximately 11 yards and he won the closest to the pin – beating Malcolm by 15 feet despite still being 18 feet away from the hole. What a day for Mr. Eisnor! After a lunch on the patio the guys regrouped and went back out for the prestigious Team Trophy round. Individual play mattered not but everyone was looking for a chance to get their name on the big trophy. Twelve of the participants improved their scores although the grand total strokes for all 20 golfers went up nine from 1991 to 2000. In typical Peter fashion he finally had a good round but not when it really mattered. He reduced his score the most – going down 18 to an 86 tying Ron S for the low round by 3 over Mark.
Almost eerily – the three Gregs – W, E and S - all went up exactly the same number of 12 strokes from the morning round but Braum had the largest increase by going up 17 strokes overall. In the end, Malcolm and Ron S won the team trophy by 5 strokes over Ken and Peter. Like Greg E, Malcolm had a big weekend winning the Low Net trophy and the Team Trophy. He had edged Braum by three strokes in the Low Net and came second in the Closest to the pin – his follow-up second round (proving the morning was no fluke) combined with Ron dropping his score by 8 gave them the team event. Ron being a rookie set a high bar for himself winning his first year. Malcolm began in the classic in 1994 at Fundy National Park in NB. He has played in 12 tourneys with this being his 3rd Low Net trophy (1997 and 2003 being the other years - tying Rob Power for most since its inception) and his 2nd team trophy ending a 9 year drought when he won with Mark at Mill River.
At the other end of the spectrum were rookies Kevin Buckler and Dave Marcattili. Their combined score Team Net score of 217 was a whopping 45 strokes behind the winning score. This proved that either a) they can’t handle the heat in the kitchen or b) Peter’s handicap system is all messed up. More than likely a bit of both – as their combined scores for the three rounds: 319 and 324 indicate guys whose handicap should be 105 vs. 95 but rounds climbing up also could indicate a lack of stamina. Perhaps a renewed fitness regime would help both of them in 2013.
After all the golf (36 holes) in the heat – it was time to leave the privacy of Fox Harbour and head to the Wentworth Valley Motor Inn. I think most of us knew this would be a step down from the previous night’s accommodations. Peter kept mentioning the Split Crow and cellar pub. Upon arrival at dusk, most of us were thirsty and hungry. We drove up to our rooms – dropped off our stuff and headed directly to the diner. Unfortunately, they weren’t really used to nor ready for 15-16 hungry men at once. Waiting time for food was long but that meant we drank more. The few isolated families that were there seemed scared by our presence. The food eventually arrived but Greg S made it clear to everyone that those weren’t Split Crow worthy wings.
We then retired to the basement pub – complete with big screen TV and juke box – to do the trophy presentations. After what seemed like hours of figuring out the results and a few missing scorecards – the final results and prizes were handed out in the dampness and smell of that basement. It was past mid-night when various members of the entourage started to head to their respective rooms. Some keeners (Dave Melanson – sleeping disorder, Ian P, Peter H, Kevin B, Mark H) stayed outside on the picnic tables well past 2:00am listening to music and chatting. Mark was wrapped in a blanket/comforter like he was battling heat stroke. The others battled to keep the mosquitoes at bay.
Monday morning was checkout for everyone – some leaving much earlier than others. Dave Melanson was grumbling about an ant that was spotted in his room the night before. He said he mentioned it at checkout and they downplayed it more than he had hoped. No discount for his phobia. Another year in the books as everyone went their separate ways. Being the masochists they are - Dave Marcattili, Kevin and Peter actually went to Truro to play another round on their way home. The World Blind championships were actually going on so they couldn’t get on the course. The sad thing is – all those blind golfers could beat them. They settled for a $39 round under the dark skies of Brookfield. They just finished up and headed for home as the rain started. It is a return to eastern PEI in 2013. Back in 2000 when we played there – Mark won low Gross with an 89. Rick was Low Net with an 80, Greg S and Rick won the team trophy with a 204 but the most telling stat was the putting. Winner Greg E had 34 and the avg. for all competitors was 39.8 for the round. Boys better bring a better flat stick this year!!