18 - Southpoint Sun
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Chamber golf tournament draws full slate of golfers LEAMINGTON — The Leamington District Chamber of Commerce held their annual golf tournament, albeit a few months later than usual, on Wednesday, September 9. The tournament followed specific tee times to keep in line with COVID protocols and social distancing was practiced on the course. “Normally, we would have a shotgun start and I really liked that format,” said Wendy Parsons, Manager of the Leamington Chamber. Ives Insurance sponsored the Hole-in-One prize, but nobody sunk an ace on this day. There was a putting contest and a Minute-to-Win-It competition to add fun to the festivities. The winning men’s team consisted of Ward Hutchins, Derrick Hutchins, Brian Humphreys and Raoul Morin with a 15-under-par. The winning mixed team was Amy Kendall, Cookie Klooster, Tom Leckie and Steve Bott with a two-underpar. The ladies team that took the honours consisted of Shannon Van Wattegham-Levasseur, Gabriella Colasanti and Paula Ouellette, with a tremendous score of 13-under-par. Cogeco Connexxion was the tournament sponsor.
A participant lines up a put on the green at Erie Shores Golf & Country Club on Wednesday, September 9 as part of the Leamington District Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament. Photo submitted
Remembering Rocket Richard’s visit to Leamington in 1960 By C. Scott Holland Throughout the years, many hockey stars have visited Leamington, but few have had the impact that Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard did in February 1960. The NHL Hall of Famer was invited by the Queen Elizabeth Home and School Board to make a visit on Leamington Minor Hockey Night, Feb. 23, 1960. Not only did Richard accept the offer, but he did a stint as a referee. That night, the former Leamington Recreation and Agricultural Centre was a sell-out for the first time in its history as 2,350 packed the arena. The attendance record prior to that was 1,850 for a South Essex Hockey League contest. One of the highlights of the evening was Richard presenting 15 year-old Mike Martin (of Edwards’ TV squirt team) with an autographed stick for his performance.
Mayor Art Cullen greeted the NHL star by presenting him with a book on the history of the NHL and Flora Holton gave him a hand-knitted sweater bearing the Montreal Canadiens’ logo and the number 9. It was created by Linnie Knight of Leamington. Later, there was a buffet banquet held at Queen Elizabeth School in his honour and 200 fans got the privilege to be at the event. Of all the QE hockey players whose names were entered in a draw, Richard Neufeld was the lucky winner. A question and answer period followed and Richard said that he felt that (at the time), Frank Mahovlich would surpass his record of 50 goals but only if Mahovlich worked harder. He considered Eddie Shack one of the toughest players in the league and thought that of the original six arenas, Detroit’s Olympia had the best ice conditions. His advice to young players was to
Hockey great Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard takes time out to sign autographs along the boards at the old Leamington Arena during a game in February of 1960. Photo from the Scott Holland Collection
work and play hard every second you are on the ice. In those days, there wasn’t ice year-round
but he did state that he thought that young players should skate every chance they could, plus
learn to shoot and stickhandle. As he noted, “Nothing comes easy.”
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