Toronto pre-golf season GCA gathering

« **on:** February 05, 2006, 07:44:36 PM »

As a follow-up to our highly successful December meeting (Lorne Rubenstein appears! Ian Andrew talks ponds! Montreal guys show up! Guy comes from Peterborough on a bus! Man appears with Augusta score card!), I'm proposing another gathering on March 3. This will hopefully be only a few weeks prior to the start of golf season.

Last time we had almost 20 GCA types and I'm hoping we can get at least that many this time. Please either IM me or send me a note at Robertthompson8@sympatico.ca. I'll find out whether the date works and we can go about determining a location.

RT

« **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2006, 08:27:15 AM »

« **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2006, 11:12:55 AM »

Some respondents have suggested that March 3 might be a problem. How about a week earlier -- Feb. 24?

« **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2006, 09:39:49 PM »

Works better with me!

« **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2006, 12:49:15 AM »

Might I suggest end of March or early April.

It would be better weather, particularly for those who drive from a fair distance.

« **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2006, 09:31:34 PM »

February is good for me. It is supposed to be pre-golf season, right?

« **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2006, 09:48:01 PM »

I would have to follow Ian's suggestion and go for end of march or early april.

It would be nice to be able to play as part of this gathering.... Otherwise, I'll probably pass. That drive from Montreal is a long, boring one. I would love to break it in two to stop for a quick round at Cataraqui....

« **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2006, 08:18:45 AM »

Quote from: Yannick Pilon on February 07, 2006, 09:48:01 PM

I would have to follow Ian's suggestion and go for end of march or early april.

It would be nice to be able to play as part of this gathering.... Otherwise, I'll probably pass. That drive from Montreal is a long, boring one. I would love to break it in two to stop for a quick round at Cataraqui....

Yannick: Understood. The notion was to do something with the Toronto-area guys before things get too busy (which March is largely for me). My hope was that we might be able to arrange a GCA Toronto outing in the June/July timeframe that would entice you to head back our way.

So I'm still proposing the last Friday in February, and then something a couple of months later when the weather warms -- that way you can play Cataraqui on your drive here!

I've had a number of people say the last Friday in February works, so let's stick with that and see what we can arrange.

RT

« **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2006, 03:45:00 PM »

The last Friday in February sounds good to me!

« **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2006, 08:29:12 PM »

Robert,

That's fine. That's what I thought you were going to do.... In that case, I would vote for a summer gathering in mid-june.

It's a shame that Toronto is so far (and that I am not working on any job in Toronto to bill a plane ticket to a client...!) . The december meeting was a blast.

I truly encourage anybody who can attend to do so.

Hope you have a good one!

« **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2006, 10:57:05 PM »

Gents: Apparently some of emails have not been getting through to me. Let's plan for the last Friday in February -- Feb. 24. If our location worked last time, I'd suggest we do so again -- it was in Toronto's Beaches, and was very accessible by car from all directions. Parking is also quite cheap.
My proposal would be to have another gathering the end of June at a club to be determined. Perhaps we could arrange a tour of Hamilton Golf & Country Club and then head to play Dick Kirkpatrick's Copetown Woods -- or consider a club with some architectural interest that might host a select group, and be keen on having a group for dinner.
Anyway, IM me about interest and I'll compile an email list and send out details next week.
Last year's December gathering was a blast, and I'm sure a good time will be had by all this outing as well.

RT

« **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2006, 04:13:19 PM »

friday feb 24 is ok - early march is better for me

« **Reply #12 on:** February 09, 2006, 04:28:05 PM »

Rob,

Is it "The Beach" or "The Beaches"?!?! I understand there's a big debate going on!

« **Reply #13 on:** February 09, 2006, 05:21:47 PM »

it is called "the beaches" by the locals

« **Reply #14 on:** February 09, 2006, 05:27:17 PM »

Ah ha Jeff! You've just revealed yourself as a Globe and Mail reader. Old time residents refer to the neighbourhood as The Beach...newcomers like me prefer The Beaches.

BTW, chatted with Al McIntyre yesterday...he's pumped about the restoration work going on at Essex, although apparently you'll have some holes out of play this spring.

« **Reply #15 on:** February 09, 2006, 05:35:27 PM »

I did read that article in the Globe on Saturday, Matt! Man, there's a real fight going on there.

Personally, I prefer "The Beaches". I've always heard it that way. But if the old-timers called it "The Beach", perhaps there's some merit in restoring the original name?

The restoration work at Essex is going good, under the direction of Mr. Hepner. Six holes are complete. Another six will be done in the spring. And, the final six will be done in fall 2006.

We should probably have a get-together at Essex when the works complete... mid-summer 2007. We could also visit Roseland. We've been pushing for restoration there, but the city government and golf course Board are clueless. Some encouragement from a group of golf architecture enthusaists might help.

« **Reply #16 on:** February 09, 2006, 05:46:12 PM »

It's bass-akwards Jeff. Back in the day there were 4 seperate beaches, and they called the neighbourhood The Beach. Now it is one, long beach, and most refer to the hood as The Beaches. Makes no sense.

A visit in 07 absolutely, a visit this year hopefully. I imagine it would take quite a bit of convincing to get the City of Windsor to spend the dough on Roseland. I would think emphasizng the historical significance would get you farther than golf architectural talking points.

« **Reply #17 on:** February 09, 2006, 07:34:42 PM »

Matt,

So what you're saying is, when they called it "The Beach" it should have been called "The Beaches". And, now it's called "The Beaches" but should be called "The Beach". Ha!

A few years ago, I worked with the city of Windsor's heritage planner to have Roseland designated a provincial heritage site. That's a done deal. (In fact, Roseland's the first golf course in Canada to receive such a designation.) So, the powers-that-be in Windsor are very much aware of the course's historical significance.

With so much else needed to be fixed by the municipal government, most Windsorites just won't support spending on golf course improvements - even though Roseland, as a separate entity from the city coffer, has enough money to finance such a project over a few years. Councillors won't pull the trigger, based on the opinions of majority of constituents.

« **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2006, 08:37:36 PM »

So it looks like we've got enough guys to have a gathering on Feb. 24. The plan is to hold it at the same spot as last time -- Murphy's Law on the corner of Kingston Rd. and Queen St. East in the Beach. Start time around 7-7:30. Last time we had more than 15 people out and there's a good chance we'll pull that off again this time.
I sent out an email to those whose addresses I had, but don't feel left out if you didn't get it. I probably didn't have your address -- that includes Chris, HenryE and a few others....

If you'd be so kind as to send me an RSVP so I can let the bar know to set aside space, that would be great. My email is robertthompson8@yahoo.com

The last one was great fun and here's hoping this one is as well.

« **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2006, 10:38:24 PM »

I may be up that way on a business trip in May-June time frame. Wouldnt that still technically be before the season actually starts up there?
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.Just kidding, spent my share of time in the Golden Horseshoe (do they still call it that?) in years past.

« **Reply #20 on:** February 13, 2006, 09:05:13 AM »

The Chicken Curry in Murphy's Law is one of the best in the City....

Just right after a couple of beverages and an in-depth critique of the architectural merits of the Golden Tee courses

« **Reply #21 on:** February 13, 2006, 09:10:35 AM »

Here is a link to the Murphy's Law website for those of you who want more information, a menu, or a map.

Hope to see you on the 24th!

« **Reply #22 on:** February 13, 2006, 04:26:44 PM »

I've had quite a few replies, so it looks to be a good gathering.

Haven't heard back from Robert Eamons (still in Toronto?), GerryB, HenryE and a handful of others, but I've heard from some folks that are new to the board.....

« **Reply #23 on:** February 13, 2006, 06:20:23 PM »

Sorry guys but I'm out. Cindy is working that evening, so much for the pond discussions....unless they can hold off till 10:00pm

Ian

« **Reply #24 on:** February 13, 2006, 07:46:10 PM »

Ian,

The way I look at it 10:00 pm will probably be a perfect time to start into the pond discussions. Everyone will be "primed" by then.

Hope you can make it. Interested to hear how the newest sole proprietor is doing.

Dave

News:

Robert Thompson

Robert Thompson

Robert Thompson

Wayne_Kozun

Ian Andrew

Chris Parker

Yannick Pilon

Robert Thompson

Chris Parker

Yannick Pilon

Robert Thompson

Gerry B

Jeff_Mingay

Gerry B

Matthew MacKay

Jeff_Mingay

Matthew MacKay

Jeff_Mingay

Robert Thompson

Daryl "Turboe" Boe

Allan Hutton

Chris Parker

Robert Thompson

Ian Andrew

Dave Kemp