Club History 1936-1990

The following history is taken from a scrapbook created in 1990 by former member Tom Milsted. The Strathcona Park Golf Club is deeply appreciative of the time and effort taken by Tom to produce this interesting account of the club's early years. The original scrapbook is kept under the care of the Club Secretary.

1930's - 1940's

Back in the early years, approximately 1935 or 1936, occasional golf tournaments were played by such City Hall staff members as:

Max Woodside	Purchasing		Merv Gordon	Waterworks
Frank Insley	Accounting		Norm Nixon	Engineering
Harry Hynds	Engineering		Andy Castleman	Waterworks
George Floyd	Engineering		Walt MacAlpine	Fire
Cliff McKay	Press-Sun		Norm Will	Police
Sandy Farquahar	Accounting		Bill Black	Health
Harry Sutch	Engineering		Bob Rome	Engineering
Walter Sheppard	Purchasing		Neil McCallum	Engineering
Ran Martin	Engineering		Tom Flannigan	Land Sales
Bill Gregg	Egnineering		Cy Goddard	Tax
Bert Richardson	Accounting		Gordie Hill	Motor Vehicle
Ted Hill	Social Services		George Anderson	Electrical
Arthur Hall	Accounting		Alex Sneddon	Engineering
Gordie Rothnie	Waterworks

Peace Portal was generally the course played and tournament play was followed up by the consumption of much liquid beverage and rousing crap games. Even non-golfers, like Ernie Akerly and Bill (Tony) Anthony, joined the players at the 19th hole. Around 1936, Spring and Fall get-togethers were played (about 20 or so players). Green fees at that time were 75 cents per round and an additional 50 cents per player was contributed for prize money: low gross, low net, etc.

It is reported, with some measure of authority, that on one occasion, a 30 or so handicapper reported a gross score in the low 80's which brought about vigorous discussion. Perhaps the Calloway system was not invented at that time.

Later, invitations were extended to Park Board, Outside Engineering, Police and Fire Departments, to also participate until annual tournaments of approximately 140 players were played in the early 50's. Some of these affairs, it can be recalled were played in the 1940's to 1950's under the sponsorship of the City Hall Union.

1950's - 1960's

Still later in the 1950's and early 1960's, Don Elford, of the Printing Division, was instrumental in arranging a number of annual tournaments with himself and Fred Hole being the class of the field. During those tournaments there were a number of humorous incidents which will not be forgotten.

On one occasion, it was necessary to send out a search party at Peace Portal to look for a group of Electrical Inspectors who were located wading hip deep in the muddy little Campbell River searching for a lost ball, obviously as wet inside as they were outside. It is said that Sam Bateman never did finish the round.

On another occasion, a well-known Accounting Department employee (unnamed) "Rang the Bell" at McCleery Golf Course by driving his tee-shot at right angles and hitting the large metal garbage can which gave off a resounding high "C" which was heard all over the course and the surrounding area.

In 1961, Alderman Halford Wilson presented a trophy bearing his name for Low Net and this trophy is still being played for today. The first winner of this trophy was Ed McLean of the Purchasing Department, and it was presented to him by Halford Wilson himself at the City Hall Annual Banquet held at Stanley Park Pavilion. Other winners of this trophy are listed on a following page.

1970's

For a few years in the late 1960's "City Hall" tournaments were not held. But about that time, Charlie Arnott, of the Tax Office, was "infected by the golf bug" and so talked up the game so much in the lunch room and coffee shop that he interested and involved so many others that tournament play commenced again. Never in known memory had the City Hall seen such an ardent golfer as Charlie, who would play at the drop of a hat; morning, noon or night; rain, snow or sleet; summer or winter.

Soon there was again a nucleus of rabid golfers and in 1971, these employees organized a number of tournaments during the Spring and Fall months under the name of "Strathcona Park Golf Club", the name being taken from the name of the Park on which the City Hall now stands. Since that time, some five tournaments per year have been held at different golf courses -- from Squamish to Chilliwack to Bellingham.

An annual meeting of interested players is held each November where a Chairman and a Treasurer are appointed and five pairs of convenors volunteer to run the annual tournaments to be played.

In 1972, Tom Campbell, the then incumbent Mayor, presented the Club with the "Tom Terrific" Low Gross Trophy. This trophy was first played for in 1973, and John Duguid of the Engineering Department, the first winner, was presented with the trophy by Tom Campbell himself at the wind-up gathering of the year in the Union Hall. Other winners of this trophy are listed on a following page.

The "Tom Terrific" and the "Hal Wilson" trophies were played for at the September tournament each year for the years 1972-77 with the winners being decided on the basis of scores of those individual tournaments.

In addition, separate individual prizes are presented at each of the five annual tournaments, generally for Low Gross, Low Net under 100, Low Net 100 and Over, and Closest to the Pin. Occasionally other prizes have been presented for such doubtful honours as hidden scores, highest number of strokes on a particular hole and even once to Harry Ruck, for the player with the "fanciest pair of golf shoes".

It may also be of interest to note that at the tournament at Lake Padden Golf Course on September 19, 1975, Bill Cowie of the Engineering Department had the dubious honour of making a "Hole-in-One" -- right into the garbage can twenty feet off the tee.

Undoubtedly, the most memorable feat of skill to occur was at the 17th hole at Hazelmere on October 15, 1977. (It also happened this was one of two 160-yard, closest to the pin, prize holes.) To the best of anyone's knowledge, on this day the first hole-in-one ever recorded in a "City Hall" golf tournament was shot.

After seeing the remaining players in his foursome miss the green, George McCord of the Engineering Department was heard to say "Well, I guess it's up to me to win the money".

When his mates asked what club he was going to use, he promptly replied, "A two iron is the right club". Amid much castigation that he had far too much club, George promptly proceeded to shoot a line drive right into the bank in front of the hole. The ball popped up into the air, rolled onto the green. It rolled and rolled and disappeared. Though the foursome roared approval, feeling certain the ball had gone into the hole, the players were not "dead sure" because of the distance and the slope of the green.

To increase the suspense (or was it sour grapes) two players of the foursome walked up to the hole, looked in and walked away saying nothing. Only after some time, during which George was looking for his ball in the rough beyond the green, did the players advise George his ball was in the cup. Great cheers, much backslapping and hand shaking, then occurred -- George had "aced" the hole!

There is a sequel to the story in that George (who would not use any other club for the remaining strokes of the round) after buying the drinks in the club house in the accustomed manner, drove away to climb into the pilot's chair of an airplane and returned to buzz the field, to celebrate the occasions.

A change in the method of determining trophy winners was proposed on November 9, 1977 at the annual meeting. It was agreed the winner of trophies for Low Gross and Low Net should be decided by averaging the scores of the best three tournament games played by a player during the year. (At least 3 of the annual tournaments must be played to be eligible.) This, it was felt, would ensure the overall best players would win the honour of earning the trophies.

Included hereafter is a list of the names of many of the people who have played in club tournaments during the years 1971-1977.

Also on the following pages are the records of winners of various prizes and trophies at the annual tournaments from 1972-77. The record is not complete, particularly in the years 1974 and 1975 since statistical records were not kept for those years, and the assembling of the data in this book was not complied until 1977. Full and complete records could therefore not be reconstructed. For the years prior to 1971, no attempt has been made to record authoritatively, winners of City Hall Golf Tournaments.

Following the preparation of the foregoing historical record, advice has been received about a number of "humorous incidents" that occurred at "City Hall" golf tournaments held in the 1960's and 1970's. Though the persons involved will not confirm nor deny such "happenings" did in fact occur, usually reliable sources swear on a stack of golf balls the following is the gospel truth.

It seems one day at McCleery, Harry Ruck was searching for his ball in the ditch along the first hole and while turning away from the edge slipped, lost his balance and fell backwards in a sitting position. He ended up on the muddy bottom with water up to his shoulders. It's also reported that day he was dressed resplendently in an all-cream outfit which quickly turned to a blackish-grey.

On another occasion, word has it George Jordan, while playing at the Birch Bay course, hit his ball ignominiously onto the verge of a rather wide dirty water-filled ditch. As a result, George had to most carefully take a stance between the ball and the water. George's balance, it is reported, was impaired by a foreign substance which causes slight unsteadiness. The resulting shot, however, was so excellently executed that George forgot his precarious position and joyfully stepped backwards into the ditch and came out soaking wet to above the knees.

On this same day, Gary Scribbens hid behind his golf cart while Don Forss (who was not known for great accuracy) made a shot. Needless to say, Don's shot headed right at Gary and struck him on the hand with which he was holding the cart. To this day, Gary swears Don broke his finger.

There have also been reports of (a) beer can driving contests off parking lots; (b) refreshments (G. McCord's Drambuie) being inadvertently left at a tee off area and subsequently missed with the owner returning to the location only to find that the following foursome had fully enjoyed the unexpected windfall; (c) a dead fish being placed over a well hit Bob Casement drive, by members of the preceding foursome.

Occasions and incidents such as these have made City Hall golf tournaments most enjoyable from a social point of view even if the game of golf has not been particularly advanced.

Club members have continued active participation during the years 1978-1981 with a total of 58+ players playing in 1979, 78 in 1980; and 79 in 1981.

In 1979, for the second time in known history of City Hall golf tournaments, a hole-in-one was shot. This was accomplished by Dennis Alexander of Engineering on July 7th on the 9th hole at Ledgeview. It is interesting to note this tournament was convened by Dennis himself and he had selected the 6th hole on the front nine to be the closest-to-the-pin hole. We are told he was not even close on the 6th but after sinking his 5 iron tee shot on 9, had to be physically restrained from running back to the 6th, which is only about 100 yards away, to get and relocate the K/P markers at the 9th hole.

1980's

In 1980, the number of tournaments arranged was increased to seven (7) from the previous six (6) per year with the continued good attendance and though 7 tournaments were arranged in 1981, the first tournament on April 11th at Ledgeview had to be cancelled mid-way through the tournament as a result of a blinding snow storm with winds that blew the snow almost parallel to the ground. The build-up of snow on the greens (and fairways) required that the ball be driven hard for it to travel only a few short feet. All players on the course returned to the clubhouse and enjoyed hot coffee or hot rums. A tribute to the enthusiasm of Club members must be there were only a few no-shows on that day.

In 1980, an additional trophy, being a framed stained glass mural of a golf green with surrounding traps, lakes, verges and trees created by and presented to the Club by Tom Milsted. This trophy was to be competed for as the "Low Net" for players shooting over 100 average. The first year it was won by Alex Baillie of the Accounting Department.

As noted previously, annual trophies in 1978 were presented to the players who had the best low gross and best low net scores based on the best 3 games played during the year. This procedure continued during 1979 but was further slightly changed in 1980 because the number of tournaments per year was increased to 7 and it was then decided the trophies would be based on the best 4 games played and to be eligible, a player must play in at least 4 games during the tournament year. For the year 1981, this latest method would have prevailed but was altered, for this year only, due to the cancellation of the April tournament. 1981 trophies were therefore based on 3 out of 6 games being played. Annual trophies were presented at the various golf courses in early years, but have in later years been presented at wind-up banquets arranged by the Executive, at which the spouses of playing members are most cordially requested to attend and join in the festivities with their partners.

At the 1980 annual meeting, it was decided a change in the tenure of Executive positions was desirable to maintain greater continuity in club direction. It was approved the Chairman be appointed for 2 years (1981 and 1982) and the Treasurer and Secretary be appointed for 1981 only. These latter 2 positions would also have 2 year tenures commencing in 1982. Also, at the 1980 annual meeting, perhaps the greatest change in Club procedures was proposed, with the sincere purpose being, to spread the monthly tournament prizes to a greater number of playing members.

In the past, the Calloway system was used but this system did not always reward a player who might have played a particularly spectacular game. Therefore, it was agreed the Club should try a system, now called the "Average Strokes Over Par" method. This system requires:

1. (a) That a player be given an "Average" after playing 5 games
2. (b) That gross scores of every player be recorded for each game played
3. (c) That par (for each course) be deducted from a player's gross score of that day to produce the "Strokes over Par" for each game.
4. (d) That these "Strokes over Par" figures be averaged for the last 10 games played to produce the "Average Strokes Over Par" figure to be used for the next tournament to be held
5. (e) That a person with less than 10 but 5 or more games played, be given an average on the same basis as above but for the actual number of games played
6. (f) That the Secretary be responsible for maintaining this record and producing a "Current Average Strokes Over Par" list for the convenors of the next tournament prior to it being played.
7. (g) That the following monthly prizes be awarded and records maintained:
   1. i. Low Gross on the Day
   2. ii. 1st Low Net
   3. iii. 2nd Low Net
   4. iv. 3rd Low Net
   5. v. Closest to the Pin (on 2 holes)

This system required a change in the method of awarding the 3 annual trophies and they are now awarded as follows, commencing in 1981:

1. (a) Low Gross (Tom Terrific Trophy) -- to the player with the best average low gross score based on their best four games played in the year.
2. (b) 1st Low Net (Halford Wilson Trophy) -- for players with an average low gross under 100 based on their best 4 games.
3. (c) 2nd Low Net (Tommy Milsted Trophy) -- for players with an average low gross 100 and over based on their best four games.

It was anticipated in 1980, the procedures above could be produced by computer technology to eliminate manual recording of the data, however, the civic strike of 1981 precluded this being done and the Executive of 1981 decided that all information be produced manually by the Secretary.

Again, because of the strike in 1981, the monthly tournament prizes of the first two tournaments in 1981 were presented using the Calloway system. The four remaining tournaments in 1981 presented awards using the Average Strokes Over Par system. The annual trophies for the 1981 were however, based on the Average Strokes Over Par system, including the first two tournaments, after the Average Strokes Over Par system was applied to the actual scores of these two tournaments.

It was anticipated a fourth trophy would have been available in 1981, however, this did not materialize, but it is a definite possibility in 1982. When such a trophy is a reality, it is expected the first Low Net player group (under 100 gross average) will be split into two flights with the Hal Wilson trophy being the 1st Low Net trophy, the new trophy being the 2nd Low Net trophy and the present 2nd Low Net (Tommy Milsted trophy) to become the 3rd Low Net trophy.

Over the years of the Club, retired members enjoyed playing privileges beyond retirement date in the same manner as current "City" employees. In some instances, a long-playing member would change his occupation or move to another municipal position. In some cases such an individual had been an active Executive member or had convened tournaments and played in Club tournaments for many years. It was deemed desirable such persons should be given the opportunity to continue to play in Club tournaments if they so wished but it was considered desirable only if such players had contributed to the Club in a meaningful way in the past.

Through the efforts of Bob Henry an additional trophy was donated by Mayor Mike Harcourt to be awarded to low net (under 100 gross average). Dave Rudberg was the first recipient and he was presented with it at the Annual Banquet on October 20, 1983. The Mayor later posed with Dave to make it formal. The Club, in recognition of the Mayor's kindness, made him an honorary member.

In 1983, the following information was given:

• 7 Tournaments held
• 87 Different players took part
• 51 Players qualified for trophies, 17 in each of 3 flights.

A policy was established commencing 1984 after Don Myler won the Low Gross trophy for six consecutive years. It was moved by Don and agreed by the Club any Club member winning Low Gross for 3 consecutive years would not be eligible in the 4th year, but recognition would be given in this historic record. It was also decided to award silver tankards as a "keeper trophy" to first time winners of annual trophies but second or more time winners could request an alternate "keeper".

A new rotational system for convening tournaments was introduced -- seven foursomes one year and the other seven convene the next year.

In 1984 at the fun tournament at Mylora, where spouses joined in, Don Elford the "golfing machine" scored a Hole-In-One at the 106 yard 16th. Incredible when one considers he takes two strokes from 3 feet -- often.

In 1985 Bill Fox retired gracefully from the City and from the position of President of the Club and Bill Halliday took over the reins.

The 1985 banquet intended for Mylora was cancelled due to lack of interest and, instead, an "after work" reception was held in the City Hall cafeteria on November 7 to present trophies.

In 1986, Graham Whitehead took over as President and because of the retirement of Ralph Robinson, Jack Rockey was appointed Treasurer. Greg Henderson kept tabs on handicaps and continued as Secretary. Tournaments were held at the following courses: Ledgeview, Fort Langley, Surrey, Lake Padden, Squamish, Hazelmere and Carnoustie. The banquet was held at the 1066 Restaurant on West Hastings Street and was a big success, despite the presence of other diners close by!

The Club lost one of its founding members, Don Elford, on April 20, 1986 after a brief illness. In lieu of flowers, the family requested a fund be set up to purchase a trophy for the Club in Don's name. Donations totalling close to $699 were received and Bob Henry and the President, Graham Whitehead, selected a mounted silver bowl from Birks. The trophy will be awarded to the most improved golfer each year. The first recipient was Bob Guthrie and Evelyn Elford presented it the Annual Banquet. Bob Henry gave a short testimonial to Don prior to the presentation.

Play has continued successfully under the current format with between 10 and 13 foursomes playing at the various golf clubs selected each year. Bill Fox is to be commended for his considerable efforts in this regard in contacting golf clubs who permit clubs of our nature to obtain a block of starting times of approximately 1 hour.

1990

1990 saw a number of new Low Gross winners with a retired "old timer" and excellent golfer Don Myler tasting victories.

It is becoming more difficult each year to find golf clubs who will accept groups such as the Strathcona Park Golf Club and starting times are scheduled later and later in the day when they are accepted. Just another sign of the popularity of the game of golf! In 1990 a test was tried having one of the regular monthly tournaments played on a Monday instead of on week-ends. Ten groups signed up for the Surrey G.C. tournament on September 17.

The highlight of the 1990 season came on the lst tournament of the year at Lake Padden GC on October 6 when Bob Guthrie took out his 7 Wood on the most difficult 13th hole, drove his ball truly and rolled it into the cup for his first Hole-In-One. The shot was witnessed by the preceding foursome which included John Handkamer, Barry Kerr and Scott Browning, who whooped it up with shouts and much arm waving to the delight of all since they had signalled Bob and his mates to "play up". Though Bob himself could not see the ball go into the cup because of the elevated, sloping green, it evidently pumped him up or unnerved him so much that he promptly took an 8 on the next hole. Congratulations Bob for only the 3rd Hole-In-One in the life of the Club.