Ernestine Franson
Contributor
Eighty-one golfers celebrated a special 50-year birthday party of the Hope Golf Club this past weekend.
Each participant in the Hope Ladies’ Golf Tournament was gifted with an engraved wine glass, ball and marker. Tee boxes were decorated with potted flowers to add to the festive occasion. Three players – Margaret Watson, Cheryl Weisner, and Carol Ewald – have attended the tournament for over 30 years and were also honoured.
Although the golf course opened in 1964, the Ladies’ Open did not start until 1975. The tournament, originally a one-day event, was started in 1975 by Rena Titmus, who worked for Emil Anderson Construction. The two-day tournament began in 1984. It wasn’t until 1987 that the first Hope player, Mary Adams, won the Emil Anderson Construction Trophy for Low Gross.
Hope’s next winner was Gabriella Kim in 2003. And Kim did not stop there. She continued to win in 2005, 2010, 2011, and 2012.
Hope players fared better winning the Finning Trophy for Low Net, also started in 1975. Katy Westbrook, 1977; Mary Romano,1980; Gladys Anderson, 1982 and 1989; Marg Dollis, 1985 and 1992; Elaine Marych, 1986; Ernestine Pritchard, 1987; and Colleen Knight, 1999, all shared champion status.
After a full sunny day of golf on Saturday, golfers enjoyed a turkey banquet prepared by chef Kerry Krahn and his staff, then sang and danced to the lively music of Ron Ulrich.
Hope ladies bagged six out of the 26 Net and Gross prizes awarded on Sunday evening.
Gabriella Kim’s winning streak continues. Bob Hasell presented her the Emil Anderson Trophy for her low gross score of 168.
The Finning Canada Trophy for Overall Low Net went to Hope’s own Dodie Schiefermeier for her score of 137. Local winners included Virginia White, first Low Net in the first flight; and Pam Smith, second Low Gross in the fourth flight.
In the third Low Net division, Charlene Kelder won in the second flight, Joan Nichols in the third flight, and Doreen Harper in the fourth flight.