Day 10 – Friday, August 17 – Championship Round

Championship Round - Ed, Johnny, Russ

“Mug Huggers” is what Ron Lyons called them.  They are the five or six guys, par shooters, who have games good enough to chase the top trophy.  The other forty-plus players are just here to have a good time trying, as I, to shoot a personal best.  I was paired with Russ Fischer from Iowa and Johnny Baggo a local.  Gary played with the eventual champions.  Did his game rub off on them?  The winning score for the championship flight was two over par (110) for 27 holes.  The 60 and over flight’s winning score was three over par (111) for the three nines.  For the first time a father and son, Chris and Mike Reaumes, won each flight.   I played a Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde round shooting 38, 46, 39 for a total of 123.  Lloyd shot 142, Gary 143, and Joe147.    

One highlight was on hole-six of the last nine the Traditions.  On this par five, Russ and I were both just off the green in two about 50 feet from the cup.  I hit my bump and run shot just right and it almost went into the hole.  Russ turns to me and says, “I wish I could do that!”  He then hits it on the same line and drains it for an eagle.  I tap in for birdie after the high five celebration.  Fun hole. 



Fountain at the Champions First Tee

Gary told me later that he saw my brother out on the course.  There was a ground squirrel running around with a cigar-shaped pine cone in its mouth.  Since I tend to smoke a cigar per nine the analogy fits. 

Another hole that tickled your inners was the Hole-in-one hole of 170 yards in which the prize was a new BMW 328i.  I took a seven – not a seven iron, but a score of 7 which contributed to my ugly middle nine.  I didn’t even come close to winning a pair of roller blades.

Behind us all day were Rick and two of his Indian buddies or being politically correct three ‘First Nation People’.  Rick doesn’t care.  He calls himself an Indian and is proud to be one.  They are Cree and are keeping the tradition of the long line of Cree Indian golfers which may not go back to far.  One of his pals said, “Rick was lying.  I’m the only Indian here. Rick is Mexican and Dan is Chinese.”   After more absurd conversation you can really tell that they are proud of their heritage.

After the 27 holes of golf finished, there was an award banquet in the lower walkout level of the clubhouse.  Appropriately Ron was the Master of Ceremony.  After the steak dinner, he started with several jokes and had a few Alberta golf officials say a few words.  The next presentation was a dance performed by Rick.  He was in full ceremonial Cree dress explaining the colors of his costume.   The yellow was for the sun, green for the land, blue for the water, red for his people.  He got a standing ‘O’ as he is very well like by anyone who knows him.  He thanked Ron for the honor to present his culture to all the golfers at the banquet. 

Ron then passed out the winners’ medals – Open flight, Over 60 flight, Lady’s flight (only one golfer), and of course let’s not forget the Chinese flight.  The Chinese flight is a standing joke between Edwin Lee, co-owner of the Legends GC with Ron, and Steven Cheng an avid golfer and good friend of Ron and Edwin.  Each year Edwin and Steven play for this medal.  Ron calls it the ‘All World Chinese Open’.  Edwin won this year. 

In keeping with a tradition that Ron began about ten years ago, he honored a legendary Canadian golfer.  Each year he has an artist create a pen and ink portrait of the golfer being recognized.   Many of the past recipients were present at the banquet.  All had a distinguished history of being outstanding golfers or contributors to the game.

US and Canadian Hickoty Golfers at The Legends Golf Course

Ron concluded by thanking all the Americans for coming to event and getting their asses kicked.  Well, he didn’t quite put it that way.  He was truly gracious as he singled out each person or group from the States.  He also will not accept money from the Yanks for any golf or dinners during the entire week.

As the banquet ended, we said goodbyes to fellow golfers whom we felt were now old friends.
This was another fine day in Canada.

Day 11 – Saturday, August 18, - Travel Day – Stand By

Goodbye, we said to the Super 8 after the wholesome breakfast, and we headed to the airport for a 2:00 pm flight or the 6:00 pm flight, all stand by, to Minneapolis and then DTW.  We turned in a very well used smoked out Dodge Journey with a chip in the windshield that as a driver you cannot see because the rear view mirror blocks it out.  Was it there before or after we got the car?  I think before because it was noticed by Bodnar on the second day.  Our bodies and luggage were hauled up to check –in.  We then proceeded to customs and then security.  It is strange that we went through US customs in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada but we did just that.  All was pleasant and easily passed through. 

No go on the 2:00 pm flight as it was all full up.  No go on the 6:00 pm flight as it did not exist.  We did, however, meet a sympathetic gate agent, Glenn, who recommended a hotel and wished us luck tomorrow.  We stayed at a Hampton Inn in a room for three.  We had dinner at Zimbelli’s which is close to the airport and specializes in prime rib and pasta.  We had a good dinner then return to the room for a short snooze to awake to a 5:00 am wake up and a 6:00 am shuttle to the airport. 

Day 12 – Sunday, August 19,  Airport – Try, Try, Again

Ditto!  We repeated everything as the day before and were all set to boogie out on the 8:00 am flight, but alas no room at the inn!  We got the last three seats on the 12:25 flight and we truly believe Glenn had something to do with that. 

In Minneapolis we were squeezed out of the 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm flight.  How rude – tourist go home!

I am currently writing this in an Irish bar at the terminal waiting for the 10:00 pm flight which looks pretty good.  There is hope.   We sure are watching a lot of the Little League World Series.

Eureka!  We got the 10:10 pm flight home.  We arrived at Detroit Metro at 1:00 a.m.  then finally home at 1:30 a.m. 

Day 9 - Thursday, August 16 – Ryder Cup – 3 ways








Rob, Ed, Benny, Trevor

Today’s competition is a Ryder Cup format – three ways.  The first nine is a two man scramble, the second is a best-ball, and the third is a single’s match.  My partner for all three nines is a Scottish born now Californian Rob.  He’s been in this country twenty years and still can’t speak English that can be understood.  He was great company, but a little shaky as a golfer – perhaps a 20 handicap.  Our opponents were Benny, tournament champion for the last four years, and his pal Trevor who has a handicap close to mine.  Benny is long hitter Kenny’s older brother and the too hit’s it a mile and straighter. 

The front nine was comical to watch. I would hit it 210, partner Rob 10, then Trevor 230 and Benny 285. We were two holes down with four to go when the golf gods intervened. Rob pulled out a miracle shot from the edge of the water hazard to within 15 feet of the pin. The bad guys missed a ten-footer for birdie and I rolled the downhill slider into the cup to cut it to one down. Still one down on number nine, we made a forty-footer for birdie to tie the match. This was a moral victory against two of the better hickory players in this part of Canada made our day.

This way to Champions #1 .

The next two nines were not so kind.  Benny was two under after three holes and rest was a less than historic 4-3 loss.  In singles, Benny slapped Rob around and I took Trevor to the last hole only to lose 2 down.  I shot 39, but to no avail. 

Lloyd won his singles match on the last hole.  Gary and Joe were not so fortunate.  At the end of the day, Canada had 30.5 to the US 10.5.   

We again had our post golf recap conversations with quirky practice of the Americans drinking Canadian beer and the Canadians drinking American beer.

All the hickory golfers were invited to Ron’s home in Edmonton for pizza, beer, and a tour of his collection of golf antiques.  Ron not only has his cart collection at his golf course, but also at his house, one of the best examples of rare hickory golf clubs and rare golf literature that’s out there.  One of the most unique clubs that Ron has is a mammoth mashie called so because of the head is about the size of a pie plate.  Other unique clubs had adjustable heads or holes in the shaft or head to produce various results.  Ron would not allow us to leave without giving us each a book on the history of golf.  We offered to pay him, but he refuses to take money.  The Canadians continued to show their generosity and hospitality.    

Day 8 – Wednesday, August 15 – SCRAMBLE PLAY – LEGENDS

Breakfast at the Super 8 is actually pretty damn good.  They gave us $5.00 per guys off the $6.95 full breakfast which is on par (golf pun intended) with the best Denny’s or Big Boy’s Michigan has to offer.  After fueling up our bodies with the eggs, bacon, hash browns, OJ, and toast, we did the 10 minute drive to the Legends Golf Course for a four-man scramble.  The intermingled the US and Canadian players which built even more camaraderie. 

Scramble partners Kenny, Rob, Ed, and Bob

I was paired with Kenny from Edmonton; Bob from Modesto, California; and Rob from Olympia, Washington.  Kenny is the longest hickory ball hitter that I have seen to date.  I’m not bad and he whacks it 60 to 90 yards past me.  Bob and Rob are both decent players who can both putt lights out.  Along with my streaky talents, we made a formidable team.  We shot 28 on the first nine (-8) and then forgot how to play on the second nine with only a 34 (-2).  The total of 62 netted us third place overall and $60 each.  Life is good.  Gary’s team came in at 68 and Lloyd’s team shot 67.  Both were out of the money.  Joe’s team didn’t fare any better.  The event, however, helped solidify some, let’s say, international good will.  This group of Canadians knows how to have a great time – on and off the golf course.

After a few post round beers, XO Lager, Sleeman’s Honey Brown, Molson Canadian, and various other brews from the great white north, we were invited to Chris Reaumes house for a cookout and to see his antique golf collection.  We thought it was a bit unusual to find the Canadians drinking American beers mostly Coors Light, Bud Light, and Busch – go figure!



Pitching Horseshoes for US Pride

At Chris’s house we were offered a Coors Light (ha) and a tour of the scared shrine of antique golf paraphernalia in his basement.  It was quite impressive, with thousands of different memorabilia all related to golf of course.  Several hundred hickory clubs, all rare, were on display.  Each stick had its own story.  My favorite was a full size crystal golf club (putter) from an unknown maker.  Chris said he and his wife picked it up in Scotland for $2,000 dollar twenty years ago.   

After an hour of awe and discussion were proceeded upstairs for dinner and horseshoes.  The challenge was tossed our way by a heavily Coor’s Light induced Canadian who was wanting to whip some US ass in another venue besides golf.  The final result was - US 3 games to the Canadians 1.  Our Olympic committee would be proud.

We said our sincere thank you to Camille and Chris for the gracious invitation of food, drink, and the museum tour.  Not to mention a kickass horseshoe game.

We went back to the barn where the four of us had a nightcap at the Super 8 bar and came to the consensus that Canada is a lot of fun.

Day 6 – Monday, August 13 – Montgomery Glen Golf Course

Today is really the first day for all the hickory golfers collecting for events.  Monday and Tuesday are practice rounds The Glen and Northern Bear GC respectively.  The actual Canadian Hickory Open is played Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday all at Ron’s course – The Legends. 

Guys waiting to tee it up.

Montgomery Glen is a good old country course.  It’s not a country club or nearly in perfect condition, but it certainly provides a pleasant challenge for all golfers.  The greens are perhaps the most fun with all the slants and slopes to test the most accurate eye and smoothest stroke.  About thirty golfers with hickories in hand tee off at 10:30 am.  There was a group from Texas and guys from Iowa, California, Ontario, New Brunswick, and of course the Alberta locals.  I played with Ron Stewart who was the greens keeper at this course.  Ron has a one handicap and shot 78. 

Today, Lloyd was the master of our Michigan group with a good steady round of 86.  I followed with an 89, Gary 98 and Joe shot 100 even.  I had a couple of birdies one of which held up for a skin for $125.  I was encouraged by my traveling mates to buy dinner.  I heartily agreed. 

We checked into the Super 8 Road King Hotel in Sherwood Park just east of Edmonton.  This is a one size fits all establishment with two restaurants, two bars, shops, laundry, and a business center.  The rooms are clean and comfortable and that’s all you need.  A light dinner was had at the hotel.  After a few pints of Rickard’s Red, we called it a good night. 

Day 7 – Tuesday, August 14 - Northern Bear Golf Course

Joe on the putting green at Northern Bear

The forecast was rain.  The Jack Nicklaus course was groomed beautifully.  Punishing rough closely hugged the fairways and the greens were slicker than snot on a doorknob. I was paired with Bob from Modesto, California, Ross from Edmonton, and Ron Lyons.   All were great company.  Ron talks non-stop, but is a lot of fun.  He is a well-adjusted individual because to him golf is just a game. 

It rained.  At hole-six, we got poured on.  We manned up and played out the long par five.  Then we wimped out agreeing that it is wiser to drink in the comfort of the clubhouse than slush out the rest of the round.  It was a brilliant decision as the rain only got worse and did not let up even as we drove away several hours later to head back to the hotel. 

Ron invited everyone back to his course for a pig roast at 5:30 pm.  The rain had stopped when we arrived.  He had a great spread laid out of salads, veggies, chips, beer, and wine.  It was simple, yet tasty.  The conversation naturally revolved around the world of hickory clubs and acquiring good play sets.  Bob from Modesto has only had the hickory bug for nine months and has already purchased 500 clubs.  Max from Texas has collected hickory clubs and played them for many years.  He has accumulated 17,000 hickories.  They are organized in racks in his basement (shrine).  There a couple of local fellows who make custom hickory golf sets pattern after a set of Tom Stewart clubs designed for Bobby Jones.  All these guys are hickory and golf geeks.

Ron's Pride and Joy - 1955 BMW golf cart

Ron has to top the list in collection interesting historical golf equipment.  He decided to specialize in collecting golf carts (cars as they are called in Canada).  He has about 50 vintage electric and gas golf carts dating back to the early fifties.  It was an impressive group on display in a pole barn near the golf course clubhouse.  His favorite is a red 1955 BMW gas cart.  He stated that there is a picture of JFK driving an exact model on the White House lawn with a pile of kids sitting on it.  The whole collection was interesting.  He had a before picture on the seat of each cart to give us a perspective of how much restoration was needed for each car.  He said his original intent was to get four or five old carts to put out on the course for antique decoration.  It then evolved into repair and restore and collect.

The evening presented fascinating conversations with fellow golfers from all over Canada and the US.  There are three more days and the group is growing.

Canadian Hickory Open Road Trip

Joe, Gary, Ed, and Lloyd

            Day 1 – Wednesday, August 8 - First Day and Flight

Trapani and Ronco headed to the airport at 5:30 am for a 7:30 standby flight for Minneapolis then on to Edmonton, Alberta.  It looked doubtful that we were going to be allowed on the flight as the plane appeared to be full.  The last two seats were offered to a family of four whom after several minutes of deliberation between husband and wife opted to wait for the next ride.   Mr. Trapani and Mr. Ronco were then summoned to their place.  I said thank you to the frustrated mom and wished her luck on the next flight.

An hour and 15 minutes later we touched down in the twin cities.  After a long and leisurely mile walk to the next gate, we patiently waited for the 9:00 am (CST) to call us for the Edmonton connection.  This flight was far from full and we figured that a first class seat assignment was in the offering.   This flight was far from full and we figured that a first class seat assignment was in the offering.  All would be well with the world for an easy 11:30 am (MST) arrival.  I was half right!

Canada, as the US requires a passport to enter their country – sort of.  Gary has a passport card which acts just like a passport that can be easily carried in the wallet like a credit card.  He purchased it to make an easy entrance into Canada.  Gary used this card for our trip last year when golfed the maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island.   I handed the gate attendant my passport and my newly acquired first-class boarding pass, received a smile and a nod from one of Delta’s best and proceeded down the jet way.  Immediately behind me Gary presented his passport card and newly acquired first-class boarding pass.  Delta’s finest refused the little credit card sized simulation of the passport and quickly, but kindly informed Gary – no, no, no – you need the real thing.  It seems the rules are such – the efficiently small wallet size card is only good for land and sea entry into Canada/US.  It is not accepted if you enter by air.  Surprisingly, Gary kept his cool with a polite statement of you got to be kidding.  He informed the Delta attendant of its usage during last year’s Canadian excursion and that he experienced no problems.  I reminded Gary that we flew to Bangor, Maine, then drove across the border in our brand new red Cadillac STS rental car. 

I flew to Edmonton, played golf with my hickory clubs, had a nice lunch, drank some premium Canadian beer with Ron Lyons, our hickory tournament host, took a nap, enjoy a light dinner, and took another nap before picking Gary up at the Edmunton airport at 1:30 in the morning.  He, of course, was busy flying back to Detroit, driving home for his passport and getting back to the airport to make the appropriate connecting flights to catch up.  I felt guilty, but only for a short while.  Needless to say, Gary slept well that night.

Day 2 – Thursday, August 9 - The Other Guys

Our other two golfers, Lloyd and Joe followed the same flight schedule as Gary and I did the previous day.  Joe actually works for a living and couldn’t get out until Thursday.  They, too were the last seated on the jet from Detroit and like me had an easy connection from Minneapolis to Edmonton.   They were to be picked up at 11:30 am which virtually gave Gary and I the morning to go see Ron Lyons’s golf course, The Legends , located in Sherwood Park, Alberta. 

The Legends Golf Course owned by Ron Lyons

This is where the Canadian Hickory Open is to be played (hackers welcome) on August 15, 16, and 17.  This 27 hole facility was the created one nine at a time by Ron and his real estate partner Harold Lee.    It has a country course feel, but is in country club condition.  The Tradition nine that I played (39) Wed-nesday with Ron’s friend Rick was certainly enjoyable.  

We pick Lloyd and Joe up at Edmonton International Airport right on time and headed to highway 16 for the 300 mile drive to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  Ron hooked us up with a friend who got us the ultimate cut rate on a premium golf course.  Funny thing – that too is called the Legends.  I asked Ron if he was into franchises – answer no.

Hundreds of these oil wells dot the landscape.

Eastern Alberta through highway 16 reminded me of the American bread basket states.  Endless waves of wheat, barley, canola, hay rolled and stacked, and cattle farms a plenty.  The land is mostly flat that when you come to a high spot on the road you feel as if you can see forever.  Dotting the fields are often small oil wells – one, two, even 10 per section - slowly pumping a profit for the farmers fortunate enough to own them.  We saw so many large farms - it seemed as if Alberta could feed the world.  We checked into the Saskatoon Motel 6 about 5:30 pm.

Eat at Joe’s!  Dinner in downtown Saskatoon was at Joe’s Grill which rivaled any red blooded American sports bar.  We ordered a bushel of wings with various sauces and temperature washing them down with Great Western beer.   The choice of beer was a no brainer since the brewery was only a block north of Joe’s.    We drove a bit of the city – home of the University of Saskatchewan.  Of what we saw of the campus the old grey brick buildings and the ivy covered walls set in neatly trimmed flowered landscape appeals to the traditions of college life.

Saskatoon is a city in which more needs to be seen.

Day 3 – Friday, August 10 - Tee Time – The Legends at Warman, Alberta

The Legend G.C. near Saskatoon, SK

Only created two years ago the Legends Golf Course has to be one of finest 18 holes in Alberta.  Everything from check to the first tee to the 19th hole was first rate.  Playing the hickory clubs only requires us to move up a tee box to better enjoy the game.  This in no way detracted from the visual beauty of the course.   The par threes were especially interesting both in design and playability.  The greens were smooth and fast without a flat spot to be found – frustrating fun!   We teed off at 9:30 and finished in the requisite four hours.  I shot 86, Lloyd 98, Joe 97, and Passport Gary 101.  It was a great round of golf.  Now the only decision was to travel east to Manitoba or west back to Edmonton.

We elected west.  The course that we wished to play in Flin Flon, Manitoba, five hours away, was having a tournament so there was no sense in that.   Other Manitoba courses were either too far or undesirable – we have standards.  So back into the car and off to Edmonton and beyond.  Next destination is Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia.   

We finally quit driving at Red Deer, Alberta.  We got rooms and had dinner at the Mohave Grill.  The Fajitas and smoked meatloaf were excellent.  The sleep was better.

Day 4 – Saturday, August 11 - Road to British Columbia

Ron Lyons' recommended Greywolf Golf Course.  We left Red Deer, Alberta after an excellent breakfast headed to Panorama, British Columbia which is about four and a half hours southwest near Radium Hot Springs.  The drive through the Jumbo Mountains, as the locals call them in B.C., is majestic.  You often wished to stop and stare for hours, but the golf course was our destination and our major sightseeing would be deferred to tomorrow.   

Gary on the tee at Greywolf

Greywolf GC was more than expected.  Perfectly groomed fairways snaked their way through thousand foot mountains.  Cart paths terraced up the slopes to offer elevated holes and spectacular views.  It was an extremely difficult track made more challenging by playing the hickory clubs.  Forget the score and enjoy what nature provided.  The scores were too high to mention.  Let’s just say that it was a great round.

While driving to central check in to acquire our room,  a doe and two fawns were grazing on the side of the road in the heart of resort – condos on all sides.  They certainly were used to people and traffic.  We got as close as 15 feet without a concern from them. 

Our ‘award winning’ Panorama Resort room was not such a wonderful  experience.   Expecting a decent room and setting, we hauled our luggage up three flights to a hallway with dirty carpeting. Chipped paint on the doors to the room was the norm.  After a hot day on the golf course, I was looking forward to stretching out on a cool soft bed only to find the room hot and muggy.  No problem.  I headed across the room to turn on the A/C .  Problem – there was no A/C.   To irritate the situation more, the bathroom was locked.  There were other less than stellar features in the room, but why continue to whine.   After a long, vain, pathetic discussion with the hotel management in an attempt to have us relocated, we were told to open the windows as there is no A/C in any of the units, they would however unlock the bathroom, and there is an elevator only it’s hard to find.  After their ‘what the hell can we do apologies' (all was pre-paid), we all received a complimentary breakfast the next morning. 

After the bitching was over, mostly by me, we had a nice dinner at the Wildfire Grill.  I promised not to complain anymore still seething about my failed negotiations with someone half as smart as me.  All was well for the rest of the evening except for the missing fork, a lobster tail that was evidently glued to its shell, an out of order urinal that would not stop flushing, and the restaurant manager’s refusal to allow us empty wine glasses back to our rooms.  Please note I kept my promise – the above criticisms were not mine.                                 

I’m not quite sure when or what award Panorama Resort won, but it didn’t live up to our expectations or the price we put down on the table.  Play the golf course - skip the hotel.  I do have to admit the bed slept well.

Day 5 – August 12 - The Road from Panorama to Wetaskiwin

Today we enjoyed our almost complimentary breakfast awarded to us for all our pain and suffering the evening before.   Our $40 breakfast credit came $27 short of the bill (before tip).  The ‘eggs benny’ were perfect and so was the service from our German waitress Alina who has a New Zealand accent.  She explained that when she arrived in B.C. two years ago she could not speak English.  Her boyfriend and co-workers were Zealanders or Aussies and that’s how she learned her English. 

On the Road Again in BC/Alberta

The guys and I opted for sightseeing and no golf today.  We have to drive five to six hours through mountains and glaciers and valleys in what may be the prettiest scenery on the planet.   Our first stop was at Rolf’s house just outside the entrance to Kootenay National Park.  It is on the list of Ripley’s wackiest homes.  Eddie and I visited it three years ago when he moved to Alaska.  Lloyd, Gary, and Joe were quite amused at Rolf, a sixty year old eccentric Swiss woodcarver who often wears dresses.  The home is basically one addition added to another on top of another filled with woodcarvings of faces big and small.  Everywhere you look is a piece of wood with a face looking at you.  Literally several hundred samples of his work are on display where some are six feet tall and others are only six inches.

One of his artworks is a chair which invites one to sit down to relax.  Rolf, the frisky dog, rigged the bottom of the seat to as he puts it, “Shoot the water up your butt!” 

Lloyd was his first victim, and then several ladies also visiting.  Who knew that they would all have so much fun pay $4.00 each entrance fee to get shot up the butt?  

We then moved up the road through Kootenay National Park to Lake Louise and up to highway 11 west along the Saskatchewan River toward Red Deer, Alberta.  The views of the mountain, rivers, and glaciers were incredible.  Every turn in the road could be a postcard home.  We stop at David Thompson’s Resort for lunch.  DTR as it is called has anything and everything a traveler could want or need.  It is a bit on the rustic side, but unlike Panorama Resort you know what you’re getting.  Bison stew is rather tasty when you’ve stretched your lunch to 3:00 pm.   We finally left DTR’s with a full stomach and I with a Raspberry Ripple ice Cream in hand.  I won’t tell on the other three ice cream aficionados. 



We checked into the Best Western Hotel in Wetaskiwin, Alberta.  Barney’s Pub and Grill is connected to the hotel, so there’s dinner waiting for us.  Two for one appetizer filled us up along with several local beers. 

Tomorrow we play hickory golf at the Montgomery Glen Golf Course in Wetaskiwin with Ron Lyons and other hickory golfers.  But, today was another fine day in Canada.