58th Earl Gray tournament

August long weekend 2020

Remember my sad tale about spending the August long weekend at the Petawawa Golf course? Well it was a challenging time. On Saturday I dropped by mid-afternoon to see how my husband was doing and find out if he needed any consoling! His initial tee off time was late (10:30) due to the combination of people in his group: Rem List, a student who was working for Paul had to be at the course early to mow the grass! ( Not sure if knowing the right people helps in that situation). The other members of that 4 some were Jeff List; Rem’s dad and his uncle Darren Roach.  The four of them play together in many of the club events. They are similar in temperament and skill level.However, as Bruce was registered in the senior division: Don Watson and wanted to defend his title, he played the second day with the rest of the top four in the seniors from the first day, Tom Renaud, Roy Barker and Ed Landry!

There was the usual chitchat among the wives as the three men had also played together at different times. Bruce and Tom were one point apart on the first day. So, the 10 people who were in the Don Watson flight were in three groups.

The play was stopped about 2pm as there was a deluge on the course and it was not playable. The D flight and Don Watson players all finished but the rest came in as drowned rats! Paul Cotey said the Saturday results would determine the prize winners. All players eat the provided meal and tried to warm up. About an hour later they made their way to the upper banquet hall to see who was awarded prizes.

Overall the club captains Tod Bursey and Pat Duguay were happy that the event took place. The Earl Gray tournament was named in memory of  Earl Gray ,a military member who volunteered his time  to assist in the building of the original  9 holes. In 1964 he died on the golf course when a piece of heavy equipment fell on top of him! Later that year a small group of  his buddies began this two-day event in honour of their  friend. It is always held the August long weekend. For many years people who had known Earl Gray attended. Even this year Mike Clarke, of Pembroke Denture Clinic attended with some of his friends. For many years he and his father sponsored the “A” flight prizes!

The Don Watson trophy was started a few years ago by Shawn Watson in memory of his father Don, Whipper Watson, who knew Earl Gray. The trophy is part of a family tradition as Shawn’s sons also help out at the golf event and help present the trophy. This year Tom Renaud was first place followed by my husband.

Although the overall attendance was down from last year there was one foursome who played for the first time. Frank Jordan and relatives enjoyed the experience except for the Sunday deluge! As they were a group that were not seeded, they played right after the seniors and D group so were among the few who finished their 18 holes on Sunday!

The club captains are looking forward to a more normal year in 2021 and hope that long time regular attendees such as Steve O’Donnell, from Nova Scotia will be able to attend .