Sizzling sunny weather welcomed 82 players to the 42nd annual two-day Hope Ladies’ Golf Tournament held over the weekend.
Belinda Steckler of Mission took the Emil Anderson Trophy for her low gross score of 171, while Linda Winterhoff, also from Mission, captured the Finning Canada Trophy for Overall Low Net for her score of 137. Larry Ortis, president of the Hope Golf and Country Club, presented both trophies.
New operators/owners, Bonnie and Vince Cianfagna, had a very positive view of the tournament. “Even an act of vandalism on early Sunday morning just brought the ladies closer together,” stated Bonnie Cianfagna. “All in all, the tournament was not about who won and lost, but about camaraderie and having a good time.”
Hope winners included Pam Smith, who secured first Low Gross in the fourth flight, while Virginia White bagged second Low Gross in the first flight.
Doreen Harper took second Low Net in the fourth flight, and June Lowe captured third Low Gross in the second flight.
The final Hope player to cash in on the prizes was Pauline Svensrud, who won third Low Net in the fourth flight. Svensrud also bagged a KP (closest to the pin) on hole nine Saturday.
Bianca Wallbank blistered off a long drive on hole eight Saturday to garner a prize.
Accomplished golfer and hometown girl Medissa Morrow was the first Low Gross winner in the first flight. Morrow, who now lives in Qualicum Bay, recalls starting golfing here at an early age. “When I was 13, I used a five-wood for hole nine. The shot rolled and dribbled along the ground — a real wormburner — the entire way before dropping into the hole for a hole-in-one. Later in the season, a sand trap was excavated in front of the green.”
Morrow also recalls being the only girl who golfed at that time. “I wasn’t allowed on the high school all-boy golf team. Wayne Yano was the only boy who would play golf with me.”
Another memory involved losing her ball in deep rough on hole four. “The rough was a lot thicker than it is today. I stepped in the middle of a coil of black snake, which shot up my leg. I ran half way down the fairway with this snake wrapped around my leg. I think the snake was just as scared as I was.”
The blistering heat took its toll on players, who took full advantage of the bottled water generously donated by Nestlé.
As in previous years, tee boxes were decorated with beautiful potted flowers supplied by local Ladies’ Club members.
Many players took advantage of the practice round on Friday, then enjoyed a sumptuous appie evening followed by a putting contest.
A full day of golf on Saturday was followed by an outstanding turkey banquet prepared by chef Gloria Byerlay and her capable staff. Wylie and the Other Guy provided toe-tapping after-dinner entertainment that got the entire room dancing.
Everyone enjoyed a barbecued burger on Sunday, prepared by a great group of volunteers.
At the end of the prize presentation on Sunday evening, tournament chair Keren Hasell thanked the players for their support, gave kudos to the many committee members, volunteers, sponsors and staff for an excellent job in making the tournament a real success, and invited all the players to return again next year.