The golf group I had the privilege of belonging to was similar to many such groups. We would get together for one week a year, but strong bonds were formed that carried through the other fifty-one weeks of the year. We would all meet at the arrival airport and then pick up two vans and the week would begin.
When Burt, who was in the banking industry joined our group, he was assigned as my partner for the game that first day. Burt was from Halifax and was impressive looking with a big head and steely eyes, you knew he was important. We began play and on the first hole he had a three-foot putt to win the hole for us. He left it short. I said, “C–t!” He replied “F—ing Yank!” I knew right away that we would become great friends. This turned out to be true. When we moved the get together to Florida it became weeks together with the wives included, and the wives became good friends.
Gary who we called mother, was from Toronto and did the organizing for the group. He would arrange where we were staying and reserve the vans and basically baby sit us. Each year we would have the Canada vs US shoot out competition. The other four Canadians gave Gary to the US team as the agreed that Toronto wasn’t really a part of Canada. It was amazing that the competition always came down to the last shot on the last day.
Vic who owned a heating and air-conditioning wholesale business in Edmonton Canada, donated four beautiful shell pullovers embroidered with the Canada US shootout. They were to be the prize that week for the winning team. He was sure that based on previous performances the Canadians would win them.
We on the US team still proudly wear them!
