The 33rd annual edition of this golf competition has been set for Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. at the GreyHawk Golf Club, Talon course, east on 417 to 4999 Boundary Road (exit 96, turn left/north -1 km on right), followed by a buffet dinner at 7:30 PM. We hope that you will participate and help re-invigorate our annual competition between the Trade and the POLEC++ streams this year with stronger departmental participation.
The handsome silver trophy, donated by two trade commissioners: "Bubs" Britton and Mort Maddick, has been on display in the office of the political director for the last year - earned with their narrow 2013 win at Greensmere GC. Competition began in 1973, and the Trade Commissioners still have the edge with 18 victories. The trade captain is Bob Mason (his e-mail address is on the CC line); and, since I will be on a Turkish holiday in September, Craig Wilson will captain the political side. Please let Craig and Bob know if there are any other golfers in the three streams who should be invited and added to the distribution list, so we can encourage their participation.(.... We will be following up on further details and in-house DFAITD circulation ASAP; note the master list is divided in four, so you only see a quarter of the names).
One of our objectives this year, given the challenges faced by all golfers in our stressful digitized, smart phone age - beyond renewing old departmental friendships and with a thought to the usefulness of this diplomatic tool in foreign postings - is to encourage greater turnout from those still working. This year would be a good time to encourage participation from the recent additions on the development side, and also from younger, less experienced golfers interested to play a round in a less competitive atmosphere. Given the number of retirees playing Maddick-Britton each year, we are asking every one of you to reach out to encourage at least one former colleague still working to participate in this year's event. We are also looking at a charity challenge (putting, or beat the pro on a par 3) related to a donation to the United Way campaign, as well as the usual long drive and closest to the pin prizes - and duffers will be receiving free cartons of balls on course, to encourage more practice for next year!
The Talon course is very open and relatively easy from the red and white tees. There will be a modified shotgun start at 1:30 PM - everyone departs in carts from the clubhouse at 1:15 PM - beverage service on course. A registration table will be set up at the Clubhouse entrance from 12:30, and you may go straight to the practice range on a shuttle with your clubs. GreyHawk is a Clublink course, with an excellent driving range and putting facility, free practice balls and tees are also complimentary; you may practice for as long as you like before tee-off. A shuttle takes you to the driving range, and brings you back to the Clubhouse for the 1:15 pm start. Carts will be lined up on the driveway roundabout, with group names and assigned starting hole on the cart sign. Marshals will lead carts to each starting hole on Talon. After the round, there are separate shower facilities in the Clubhouse, and the buffet will be available at 7:30 p.m. Spouses are always welcome for the meal afterwards.
The price for the golf, including cart, and buffet is $ 105.00 (includes all taxes and gratuities); for those who come only for the evening buffet, it is $ 35.00.
With such a wide divergence of playing ability we need to set handicap levels so that matches are arranged with players of similar abilities. Competitors for Maddick-Britton, playing regularly at a club, should provide Craig their exact Handicap Index (e.g. 15.7). We will then be able to ascertain your handicap at GreyHawk; if you are a casual player, please provide Craig with an idea of your average score for 18 holes. This info is needed by September 6th - sand baggers will face their critics at dinner!
We look forward to seeing a strong contingent of current and former DFAITD colleagues in three and 1/2 weeks.
David Stockwell Bob Mason Craig Wilson
