Photo Gallery –
The two players holding trophies are Brian Schuman, left, and Dave Ellis.
The photo of three men are, from left: Senior Division winner Bob West; Paul Dietz; and Senior Division runner up Rusty Wells.
The 10th annual C B Macdonald Challenge and Eastern Canadian Championship was played the weekend after Labour Day at historic Niagara Golf Club in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada.
Sixty avid hickory players – eight ladies, nine super seniors, 20 seniors and 23 open division players – battled for the Jim McNeil Championship trophy.
Saturday morning’s play was cancelled when a powerful storm knocked down tree limbs and brought heavy showers to the area. With golf rained out, players enjoyed a trade show until a buffet lunch was served. The weather cleared by 1 p.m., and many ventured forth to play a few holes between the rain drops. Many of the women spent the afternoon shopping in the quaint downtown area.
Approximately half the field, and many spouses, met for dinner on Saturday evening at The Grill on King, one of the event’s favorite dining spots. The food was great and the camaraderie was even better.
Playing conditions were much better Sunday morning. The format was altered to include 15 better ball matches as well as 30 individual medal play games. The greens were fast and receptive to well placed shots. A gentle breeze off Lake Ontario and temperatures in the 60’s made for good scoring. Bagpiper Patrick Potter opened the day’s play by playing several tunes, including Shanendohah, while marching up the first fairway.
In the better ball event, Canada scored 8.5 points to the Americans’ 6.5 points. Sub-par scores were achieved in a few of the matches. In the individual matches, USA scored 15.5 points to Canada’s 14.5 points.
As the score cards trickled in, tension built as spectators and competitors could see how close the matches were. Final tally for the day – Canada won the CB Macdonald Challenge by a single point – 23 points to 22 points for the American team. A rousing competition!
In the ladies’ division of the Eastern Canadian Hickory Championship, last minute entrant Sally Vesey (Oshawa, Ontario) shot a fine 85 to win. Patrice Golde (New York) was runner up with a score of 94.
Super senior Bill Turville (Toronto, Ontario) won his division for the third consecutive year with a score of 78. Barry Deathe (London, Ontario) was runner up in the super senior division, shooting an 86.
In the senior division, Bob West (Kingston, Ontario) and Rusty Wells (Pinehurst, North Carolina) shot matching 77’s. Wells won the division in a scorecard playoff.
Winner of the Jim McNeil Memorial Trophy was Brian Schuman (New York) with a wonderful round of 36 – 36 – 72! As you may recall, Schuman finished second to Bob Sly in 2011, after losing in a playoff. Schuman made sure of his victory with great approach shots and wonderful putting prowess. Runner up in the open division – he won’t admit to being a senior – was David Ellis (Zanesville, Ohio), shooting a 76, which included a fine 35 on the first nine!
Congratulations to all our champions and thank you to all who participated in the 10th annual CB Macdonald Challenge and Eastern Canadian Hickory Championship. Many thanks to our American guests who travelled from 10 different states!
Please save the date! The 11th annual CB Macdonald Challenge and Eastern Canadian Hickory Championship will be played Sept. 6-8, 2013.
Note: Bob Sly, our defending champion, was unable to participate this year due to injuries received in a freak accident while playing baseball. We wish Bobby well and hope he can return for 2013’s event.