Cheers to 50 years
West Pubnico Golf and Country Club celebrates anniversary
It was a festive atmosphere at the West Pubnico Golf and Country Club on Sept. 13 as several hundred people gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the golf course with a buffet fit for a king, a slide show of memories and congratulations all around for a job well done.
“Cheers to 50 years,” was the toast to all who have been involved with the club during its history, which dates back to 1965 when a group of 37 people decided to construct a golf course. By 1968, a nine-hole course was ready to play. The course expansion to 18 holes was started in 1988 and opened in 1991. In 1998-99 the new clubhouse was constructed.
Emcee Charlene LeBlanc said while it took a lot of hard work and determination for the golf course to get to where its at, “What grew effortlessly from the golf course was friendship and camaraderie. That’s better than a birdie or even a hole in one. The beauty of course, the fresh breeze and the warmth of sun.”
Present at the 50th anniversary celebration was one of the 11 original founding members, Remi d’Entremont, who volunteered for many years as club treasurer and remembered helping to build the first clubhouse and its subsequent expansion. He said he was proud of what the West Pubnico Golf and Country Club president Darryl LeBlanc accepts a plaque from Golf Canada and the Nova Scotia Golf Association (NSGA) from club member Shirley d’Entremont. A past president of the NSGA, d’Entremont now serves a as governor for Golf Canada. club has became.
When asked if he still golfed, d’Entremont replied, “I haven’t Loran and Paula Hopkins get their photo taken in the photo booth at the West Pubnico Golf and Country Club 50th anniversary celebrations on Sept. 13. People look at the banner display depicting the transition in the clubhouse at the West Pubnico golf course during the Club’s 50th anniversary celebrations on Sept. 13. Jean-Bernard d’Entremont (right) and his wife Anne partake of the buffet at the West Pubnico Golf and Country Club 50th anniversary celebrations. d’Entremont was emcee at the grand opening of the course 50 years ago. golfed in years and years. It’s too frustrating.”
Club president Darryl LeBlanc said it has taken a combined effort for the West Pubnico Golf and Country Club to grow.
“It’s very important for people to step up and volunteer their time,” he said. “It’s what makes success for any organization. It’s taken 50 years to get to this point and we expect to be around another 50 years. There are going to be some changes. There are certainly some challenges and there are different directions where the club is headed but everything we are looking to do is for the betterment of the club and for the community.”
The West Pubnico Golf and Country Club currently has around 160 full time members, offers free membership to youth under 12, and weekly junior prolessons with assistance from the Municipality of Argyle. Remi d’Entremont, one of the 11 original founding members of the West Pubnico Golf and Country Club, looks over the display of memorabilia at the 50th anniversary celebrations on Sept. 13.