Sometime in the 1950’s, a varied group of people including Legion members from the K of C, business partners, factory workers, EMO people, teachers, real estate agents, railroad engineers, insurance sales people, bowling league friends, neighbours and relatives formed the group that started our league. Since most of the people lived or worked in the Riverside area, our league name became The Riverside Putters Golf League.
Interestingly enough, the league has had a variety of team formats. In the early years, four man teams (no one on one) were used. Then around 1968, two man teams were adopted. This format persisted until the fall of 1971. Since 1972, one man teams have been the forte (with 4 man net teams added later).
Some of the original members included: Roly Demers, Gus Gardner, Carl Arnold. Uhle Fields and Bob McCormick.
Earliest record still available 1968 League Champions : Harold Barnoff and Bob McCormick
Best Golfer : Larry Lacelle
The league began playing at Little River in the 1950’s and in the mid 60’s transferred to Lakewood Golf Club. In 1999, Lakewood (under new ownership) advised us that there would be no more golf leagues at Lakewood. In 2000 The Willow Creek golf course became the home of our league. Some members were unhappy with the course management so in 2002 the league split up leaving 10 players at Willow Creek and 20 players moved on to Belleview Golf Course. Our Current membership stands at 28 players in 2012.
Some notable Presidents of our league have been Roly Demers, Carl Mohr, Clarence Delisle, Joe Gratton, Willie Nightingale and Bill Johns.
Notable Secretaries and Handicappers were John Buckler at Little River and Lakewood. Ray Forster organized and ran the league at Lakewood, Willow Creek and the first year at Belleview. Our present Secretary and Handicapper is Joseph Gratton.
The best for last. Our Treasurer since 1963 John Fetter. (49 YEARS!!!!!)
Other notables: Joe Bourdeau member since 1965
Serge Dubois 1988 – 1995 and 2009 – present
Willie Nightingale member since 1990
Joe Gratton member since 1994
Bill Johns member since 1996
50/50 Draws
In the 70’s Elf Gaudette began collecting a dollar per square and players signed their name in a square each week. Whatever he sold he gave half to the winner and half to the league which was used for prize money in our tournaments. Later on to save the hassle of selling these every week the league decided to collect $50 from each player, who then had 2 squares each for the whole season. There is 25 draws during the season. A special thanks to Joe Bourdeau who organized these draws for many many years.
Skin Pot
After your game of golf, $1 is collected from each golfer. This money becomes the Skin Pot. The money is divided among the players who have the single lowest score on each hole, If all hole are tied off, then the money is carried over to the next week. Participation is voluntary.
Cliff Seary Award
Cliff Seary, a former league member, in the 60’s and 70’s, suggested that rather than having a longest drive award, the league entertain the idea of having a closest to the pin award. This would allow more people a chance to be rewarded rather than just a few long hitters. As a result there is an envelope with prize money each week known as the Cliff Seary Award. The person winning the most Seary Awards during the season will have his name inscribed on the Cliff Seary Trophy which will be presented at the year end banquet.
Mid Season Classic Trophy
The players with the lowest gross and net scores on our Summer Mid-Season Classic will have their names inscribed on the trophy. This trophy will be presented to them at the year end banquet.
The Most Improved Player
Ulie and Frank Fields initiated this award in the late 60’s. Once your average is established after your first year of golfing in the league we can calculate (using statistical Math) your improvement in the following year. The person with the best improvement will be awarded a monetary token and will be presented with The Most Improved Player trophy at the year end banquet.
Best Golfer Award
This trophy will be awarded to the golfer with the lowest handicap total for the season. His name will be inscribed on the Best Golfer Trophy presented at our year end banquet.
Championship Trophy
At the end of our season we have a final championship match. The player with the most accumulated points for the first half of the season will play the winner of the second half for the Championship Trophy and a monetary prize. The other players will be paired off according to their total accumulated points for the season. A small monetary prize will be awarded to the individual winners. Prizes will be handed out at our end of the season banquet.
This brief history has been prepared by John Fetter and Joseph Gratton 2012.