A good time had by all at TBI’s Ninth Annual Golf Classic
On Wednesday August 19th, Ontario’s biotechnology community gathered at the friendly and spectacular confines of Copper Creek Golf Club for The Biotechnology Initiative’s 9th annual golf classic. The event consisted of 35 teams made up of a cross-section of TBI members, partners and special guests.
In all there were 137 golfers who hit the links to enjoy a spectacular day of golfing and networking. The scramble/best ball format ensured all golfers had fun and contributed to their team score. Geoff Collett’s team (Barry Markowsky, Bob Woloschuk, Larry Hay) finished the day on top of the leader board with a sizzling score of 59, just ahead of the 60 put up by the team of Randall Rixon and Ted House. The team of Bob Bauer, Chris Fregren, Thomas Jung and Richard Potts finished third with a score of 62. A prize was also given out to the most honest team, as the team of Susan Hahn, Ningping Fang, Kevin Oreilly and Lisa Popp scored 99.
There were also lots of opportunities for participants to win prizes including the TBI Golf Classic favourite, “The fastest hole”, sponsored by World Courier. The unique contest, in which foursomes try to get their ball from the tee into the cup on the green, saw some blistering times and lots of drama as four teams bettered the 47 second mark set last year by Thermo Fisher Scientific. After one team set the bar at 36 seconds, the next team that hit the tees, the team of Noel Courage, Scott Duncan, Mike Sahagian and Dave Hobson bettered that time at a scorching 35.12 seconds. In all, three groups chose to back out of the challenge, but those that took part had a lot of laughs and enjoyed themselves. Geoff Collett’s team may have had the best overall score on the day, but they also took some ribbing on this hole posting the worst time at over four minutes.
Among the other specialty holes which yielded prizes to the most skilled golfers, there was the longest drive competition which was held on the tenth hole for the men and on the fourth hole for the women. There was also the closest to the pin competitions on the sixth hole for the men and the 14th hole for the women. The winners of the longest drive competition were Barry Foster and Darlene Homonko, while John Kelly and Jennifer Goudey won the closest to the pin contests.
The 18th hole was the site of a new golf challenge at the TBI Golf Classic, the “Closest to the Line” or “Straightest Drive” competition. This competition saw one lucky participant, Kevin Oreilly; win a free trip to Japan courtesy of Japan Airlines. Oreilly’s shot was a sight to behold as it came within a half inch of the line.
The "meet and out putt the president hole" which has become a regular highlight of the TBI Classic, had its own share of a drama. The contest is a hole where each member of a team gets to try and out putt the president of the TBI, Lorne Meikle. Those that were successful won a ticket and chance at a brand new putter donated on behalf of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA). Those that failed to match up to Lorne’s legendary putting prowess moved onto the next hole with just a handshake. Overall, Lorne Meikle performed admirably, albeit with some extra practice, and eventually he did reluctantly give away enough tickets that one lucky golfer did end up winning the putter. Lorne admitted that he considered rigging the contest so that he’d end up with the putter, but in the end did the right thing by handing out tickets. “I think they may have sold me on it (the putter) as well,” he added. “I really like it.”
Despite some worthy challengers and a few close encounters, the $20,000 hole in one prize went unclaimed. As a consolation, contest sponsor McCarthy Consulting Services Inc. provided a bottle of scotch to one lucky raffle ticket winner.
Other highlights of the day included the team of John Goudey, Jennifer Goudey and Ron Hosking winning the auction bid for the right to golf with Olympian Kimberly Ribble-Orr. A 2000 Olympic Games team member, Common Wealth Games Gold medalist, Pan Am Games Silver medalist and Hungarian Cup Bronze medalist, Ribble-Orr was a delight to talk with both on the course and as the featured luncheon speaker. At the luncheon she got to tell her story as an individual who persevered through many highs and lows, the lessons she learned, the trials and tribulations she endured including a broken arm, blown knee and lack of financial support in becoming a world champion, and silver and bronze medalist. Her story was a lesson to those in the industry that if you remain dedicated, you can achieve almost anything.
“We all have our own Olympics; I know how hard I worked for mine. How hard are you willing to work for yours? If you have a little belief and faith, perseverance, you will survive,” said Ribble-Orr to the luncheon audience.
Success of the TBI Silent Auction.
Another highlight of the TBI Golf Classic was of course the TBI Silent Auction. The Auction gifts included a foursome at copper creek, a Callaway Diablo driver, charter a sailboat with a skipper, two tickets to TBI’s Annual Presidents Award Gala, a wine fridge, an Odyssey White Hot XG #1 Putter, a Callaway Warbird Bag, a Booth at the 4th Annual Growing the Margins Conference and Exhibition in London Ontario and of course the crème de resistance, a golfer’s dream come true, the chance to play the 2010 Canadian Open Course the day after the tournament.
The winning bids were:
Foursome-Copper Creek courtesy of Copper Creek: Deb Lind
Callaway Diablo Driver courtesy of Copper Creek: Bob Woloshuk
Callaway Diablo Hybrid courtesy of Copper Creek: Jim Wadleigh
Odyssey Putter courtesy of Copper Creek: Kamal Gautam
Callaway Stand Bag courtesy of Copper Creek: John McMullen
One round of golf the day after the 2010 RCGA Open for two courtesy of RCGA: Paul Leva
Booth space and registration for 2010 Growing the Margins/Biogas Conference: Jeff Graham
Two tickets to TBI President’s Award Gala courtesy of TBI: Tim Peters
Five hour sailing experience with instruction courtesy of Ron Hosking: Karen Atkinson
Wine fridge courtesy of GE: Matt Buist
Original oil painting courtesy of Cathy Woloschuk: Matt Buist
Thanks to all who participated and made the event successful. Golfers had fun, enjoyed a good lunch, and relaxed, all in support of the The Biotechnology Initiative. Proceeds from the tournament continue to go towards helping support TBI’s operations.
A Special thanks also goes out to the TBI Golf Classic Committee: Lorne Meikle, Matt Buist, Ron Hosking, Rob Hamilton, Kevin French, Bill Qin, Sue Munro, Katrin Wade, Peter Jones and of course Chair John Goudey.
A good time was had by all and we hope to see you again next year!
