Penticton golf tournament’s good works will continue
Dear Editor:
This will be the first weekend in 34 years I have not been in Penticton for what began as the Andy Moog and Friends Charity Golf Tournament at the Penticton Golf Club.
Since its inception in 1987 through it’s transition after 15 years to become Penticton and Friends, the first weekend in July has been a very memorable one for both me and my family.
My wife and daughters were at the lake or motel (or Fred Fedorak’s hoop camp) for most of those years and loved every moment, including the Naramata parade prize.
But more importantly, it has been significant in the landscape of the community, witness the first ever free-standing hospice in Canada bearing the name of Penticton’s native son and NHL veteran goaltender Andy Moog.
There are several other beneficiaries, but one that also comes to mind is the Penticton Training Centre.
It has become a tradition for organizers, guests and celebrities to meet there Friday at 11 a.m., so much so that I’m told it’s the only function annually that attracts 100% attendance among the registrants.
Of course, ample servings of Boston Pizza and Coke were attractions as well as the chorus of Happy Birthday to several of them. You haven’t experienced a hug until you’ve experienced theirs!
This, then is a plea, if you will, to all concerned to ensure something akin to this can continue, especially this year.
To that end, I have spoken to Guy Dow, head professional at the golf club, and he advises such wheels are in motion. I sent him my “hole sponsorship” and hope others can contribute to not only the aforementioned festivities, but also to the greater good which the tournament has provided.
At the risk of both missing someone and/or being excessive and thus edited out, I would like to thank some of those my memory will allow. Apologies to those I miss. I’ll start with all my “special” caddies including William Holowka of John Deere 1010 fame, along with Dow’s predecessor Al ‘Spuds’ McKenzie, Don Lancaster, Ron Jones, Dr. Ron Bentham, Dr. Nick Kastelen, John Jordan, Jim Treliving, George Melville, Pat Quinn, Stan Smyl, Mike Vernon, Finchy, Jim Milne, Mort Downey, Razor, Cowboy Bill Flett, Dan O’Rourke, Dennis Hull, Dan Russell, Chester Rempel, Bruce Judd, Jim Fortier, Jeff Omland, Wayne Heal, Larry Lund, Duncan Keith, Dixon Ward, Rob Wylie, Doli, Terry Montgomery and his staff, Rick Sentes, Greg Murtland, Ron Heinzelman, Penticton Men’s Club, the ladies and men volunteers, Ivan McLelland, Jim Cumming, Burgy, JD, Gary Gibbons, Peter Jurik, Boston Pizza, Home Hardware, Labatt’s, Taylor Made. Adidas, Coca Cola, OHS, Soupy, Woody, Stevie T, Acky, Hoss, Brent Philp, fellow JYD recipients and all of my patient partners.
All good things come to an end, but with your help, the tradition of this event supporting the South Okanagan beneficiaries can continue. Call Guy at the golf club. And thanks for the memories.
John McKeachie, Penticton