Organizers plan Hall of Fame tourney’s return
Annual fundraiser was cancelled last year due to COVID-19
Doug Gibson got his jab Thursday, hoping vaccines allow the 2021 Jack’s Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame Golf Tournament to proceed.
The annual fundraiser was cancelled in ’20, after 33 consecutive years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gibson, whose late father, Jack, founded the tournament, is determined to not see it cancelled again.
The event, which raises $20,000 annually to cover Hall operating expenses and bursaries, is usually held in May. This year it’s set for Sept. 16 at The Quarry in Ennismore.
Gibson said organizers decided in February a spring tournament was unlikely to happen because of rising COVID-19 cases so they targeted the fall.
“From all the reports I have seen, anyone who wants one should have one by the end of the summer. We’re hoping that will allow us to run a safer tournament,” said Gibson. “By the time September rolls around, we’re certainly, like everyone else, hoping things will be back to normal or a semblance of normal.”
The 2018 and ’19 tournaments were held at Peterborough Golf and Country Club following decades at Pine Crest Golf Club near Keene.
“The Peterborough Golf and Country Club informed us that they’re not allowing any outside golfers for the 2021 season,” said Gibson. “So we were forced to look for another venue.”
Gibson said they contacted several area courses, and coowner Kevin Carter and his crew at The Quarry were enthusiastic.
“We didn’t want to go two years without having the tournament,” Gibson said. “It’s unfortunate we’re not able to have it at Peterborough this year but Kevin has been very co-operative and I think he’s really looking forward to helping us with our tournament.”
Postponing to September gives organizers more time to determine what they can and can’t do. Traditionally, the tournament is followed by a dinner with silent and live auctions and prizes. The dinner’s social aspect is as big a part of the day as the golf.
“Our hands will be tied somewhat by government and health restrictions. Naturally, we would like to have our golf tournament followed by a sit-down dinner for everyone but we really don’t know if that’s going to be possible,” Gibson said. “We’re in the midst of coming up with any range of scenarios as to how we can run the golf tournament as close to what we would like to but following all the restrictions and protocols.”
If the in-person dinner is not possible, he said, options include providing golfers with a dinner to go as they complete their round. If an in-person auction is not possible, they’re exploring the possibility of a virtual auction online.
“We will try to find a solution so the golfers still get their full money’s worth for the day,” said Gibson.
He hopes the Hall of Fame’s 2020 inductees, who had their induction dinner cancelled, will participate in the tournament.
“We would like to recognize we have this slate of 2020 inductees who still have to be honoured at some point,” he said.
The tournament is always well supported with 245 golfers participating in ’19.
He is beginning to reach out to sponsors to see what level of support they’re able to provide this year. “We would appreciate any type of support we can get,” he said.
The tournament cost remains $175 per golfer, which includes a round of golf and cart, Tim Hortons treats for early tee-off times, lunch donated by Franz’s Butcher Shop and Porch ‘N Pint, a gift, prize table and dinner.
Registration will open in early August but Gibson said foursomes can be reserved now by calling the 705-743-6897. Leave a message and Gibson or a committee member will return the call.