Cedar Glen Golf Course Report

 

A number of parents here are hoping that someday, baseball/fastball will again be popular.

With less than a handful of minor ball teams playing in South Dundas, Paul Sheldrick, who is heading up a T-Ball program in Morrisburg, says he hopes to see that change down the road.

“We all used to play ball in this town, and we would like to see it return,” said Sheldrick who had a 30 player response to his T-Ball program run on Monday nights in Morrisburg.

We have enough kids that we have divided them into four teams, and I have four parents who came forward as coaches. 

“A few of the kids are coming down from Iroquois, and I unfortunately had to turn a few kids down.”

Every Monday, Sheldrick and his coaches who include Bob Paradis, Daryl Martin and Jason Cole work with the kids on  their basic batting and fielding skills.

The evening then wraps up with a little game between the Orange Tigers and the Purple Dragons.

The registration cost was kept to a minimum for the eight week program and from it each of the players received a  team T-shirt.

“I have been working with Ben (Macpherson, South Dundas recreation coordinator) and the guys from the municipality have been out and fixed up the diamond.”

Sheldrick says that he is hoping that this year will be one small step in the right direction. He is hoping one of the current coaches will take over the T-Ball next year and he can move up.

“My thoughts are just to rejuvenate some interest in ball. We bought them all little shirts, which they will keep, and Bill Morrow really helped us out. We have a closing party planned for the Legion and Blues Bakery is donating a cake for the kids.”

“We have stepped up as citizens. We played ball here and we want to try to get the kids involved in it again.

[…]

 

“I always felt if  my son Anthony was involved in something, I should volunteer my time to help,” says Barb Levere of her interest and ongoing love of hockey.

That was 25 years ago, and while her son is long finished playing minor hockey, Barb is still volunteering. 

On Thursday night, November 6,at a Sens hockey game, Barb was recognized for her commitment to minor hockey when she was presented a Hockey Canada Volunteer of the Year Award  by Ottawa Senators president Cyril Leeder and Denis Dumais, president of the executive council of the Ottawa District Minor Hockey Association (ODMHA).

“It was quite a privilege,” said Levere during a recent interview in her home in Morrisburg. “I think the proudest person that night was Anthony who always understood, whether he liked it or not, when I was busy with paperwork or heading off to a hockey meeting.”

Barb is also extremely proud that, by example, she has instilled the value of volunteering to Anthony who is now a big brother.

For the last 14 years, Levere has been District 1 Chair for the Upper Canada Minor Hockey League which provides hockey for nine minor hockey associations (178 teams). It is a position that keeps her busy, seven days a week.

Looking back on her 25 year involvement in Minor Hockey, Levere says it was former Morrisburg and District (now South Dundas) Minor Hockey president Billy Donaldson who got her started as registrar in the local association.

While on the Morrisburg Minor executive under the late John Lortie, who was then president, Barb gained experience at the District Level. “It was John who let me go to the District meetings. I learned a lot from John. He was a good teacher, and I respected him and his hockey knowledge.”

At the District level, Barb first served as secretary and then moved to first vice president. She was mentored by Harry Jones of Brockville, “who taught me how to be a good District chair. And [the late] Clara Thompson, she was registrar when I became involved and she was a great help to me.”

In addition to handling the duties of District 1 Chair, Levere is currently the president of the Upper Canada Cyclones AAA  Association and president of Zone 1 which is one of five AAA Zones.

“I spend at least 60 hours a week on hockey, some at home and some for travel. I usually take in at least two games per week and sometimes three meetings per week…sometimes more.”

Levere peruses about 75 game sheets daily. In total she receives about 4,200 game sheets every season.  “I think I’m up to three file cabinets now as game sheets have to be kept for at least one year. There is a lot of organization.”

The District 1 chair handles and assists with problems that may come up, and sets down disciplinary action as required. Although this is something she doesn’t like doing, she says it is something that has to be done, and she prides herself in that she treats everyone equally and fairly. 

“I don’t like to hand out the suspensions, but I am consistent. If someone gets suspended for something then the next guy that does the same thing, gets the same suspension.”

“Since AAA came in we don’t stop. We have meetings all summer. It never stops, and I love it. I’m there for the kids and that is what my main focus is.”

Levere says she has a very strong District 1 Executive, which includes, a registrar, secretary, treasurer and coach mentor and the presidents of each of the  nine minor hockey associations, South Dundas among them.

“In District 1, in my opinion, we have a core group of really great referees and our associations are also well run.”

Over the years, Levere has received a number of awards including the prestigious Earl Steinburg Memorial Award for contributions to the community and minor sport, District 1 Volunteer Awards, the Clare Thompson Memorial Award, the ODMHA Volunteer of the Year Award, the HEO (formerly the ODHA) Appreciation Award and the recent Hockey Canada Award.

For the Hockey Canada Award, Barb and her family and friends were guests of the Ottawa Senators at a Sens game. In addition to the award, she was presented a Sens sweater with Levere embroidered on the back.

She says it was an honour to be recognized for her volunteering…to be recognized for something that she loves do…and it’s all for the kids.

[…]

 

Two local golfers, Kurtis Barkley of Williamsburg and Prescott’s Bill Minkhorst, were just one stroke off the pace set by Ottawa playing professional Jeremiah Shields at the first of six “Chase the Dream”  qualifying events played on the rain-soaked Upper Canada Golf Course, Sunday.

A heavy rain fell throughout the first nine holes of this competition hosted by Evolution Golf and Event Management. 

Although the rain did stop on the back nine, the already-long Upper Canada Golf Course layout (it plays 3,375 yards from the pro tees) was soaked and made for challenging conditions.

Jeremiah Shields, a playing professional from Ottawa became the first-ever Medallist for the “Chase the Dream” series when he posted a steady two over par, 74. 

Next up were Minkhorst and Barkley who tied with 75s.

Minkhorst, a club professional from the Prescott Golf Club, carded his 75, despite an eight on Upper Canada’s signature hole, the 630 yard, par five 14th hole. 

Amateur Kurtis Barkley, a longtime member of the Cedar Glen Golf Club east of Williamsburg who is also playing out of Upper Canada this year, also carded a 75 and Andy Rajhathy, a golf professional from Ottawa was the fourth and final qualifier at 79.

All four golfers now move on to the final “Chase the Dream” qualifier that will be played at Smuggler’s Glen on Sunday, August 26th. There they will join an elite field of 28 golfers who will play for three exemptions into The Great Waterway Classic.

“We had a great start to our “Chase the Dream” series on a very challenging day weather-wise at Upper Canada,” said David Dargie, tournament director of The Great Waterway Classic. “Despite the rainy weather, the course was in great condition and our players were able to finish their rounds. Three golfers finished only two shots out of qualifying for the August 26th event at Smuggler’s Glen showing the strong fight that they all put up yesterday in trying conditions.”

“Overall, it was what we wanted when we set up these ‘grass roots’ qualifying events – a group of golfers trying their level best to make it to the next level and hopefully get a chance to play with the Canadian Tour Pros.”

The next “Chase the Dream” event will be held at eQuinelle Golf Club in North Grenville on July 8th. 

Registrations are still open for anyone who wants to “Chase the Dream” and try to qualify for The Great Waterway Classic, the Canadian Tour event which is coming to Smuggler’s Glen,  this September 3-9 and to the Upper Canada Golf Course in 2013.

For Chase the Dream qualifying information or to register Igolfers can go to the tournament web site: www.thegreatwaterwayclassic.ca or phone 1-855-317-7503.

[…]