Played (golf, lol) with Lloyd Christmas Day :-)

Hi all,

Just wanted to post a couple of pics taken Christmas Day at Victoria Golf Club where my wife (Anne) and I had the pleasure of meeting Lloyd, and playing 18 holes with him.

What a great, friendly, generous, and positive person! Oh ya, not a bad golfer, either ;-). We were taking advantage of Victoria's 'free on Christmas Day' policy and boy, we couldn't have asked for better. The weather was great, the course in fantastic condition (no need for my 'winter' golf shoes/boots, lol), and the company was fantastic. Lloyd was very generous with his advice/tips and I think my chipping/pitching is already improving :-). Hopefully we'll meet some of you in 2014 on a golf course somewhere. Lloyd talked about recruiting Anne & I for 'Team Minnesota' for the Coach & Friends Tournament. That'd be awesome; I checked out some of the pics and discussion about this year's event, and it looks like a lot of fun.

We hope you all enjoy the rest of the holiday season and have a great 2014!

Boxing Day Special Golf

Boxing day December 26/13 for most people means shopping and special deals but for us golf fanatics it means Play Golf.  It's funny how things work; looking out my front window I see the makings of a fine day and just then the phone rings.  As if an answer to prayer it's the Coach, who has just come in from Victoria, on the other end of the line asking me if a round of golf is in the forecast.

He did not have to twist any arms, I told him that I would pick him up in 20 minutes.  My only regret was that my buddy Hal could not join us because he fractured a few ribs and could not even get out of a car let alone swing a club.  Lloyd was staying at Hal's place and as I swung around to pick up Lloyd there was Hal with his set of clubs.  It just shows you that if a man is motivated nothing can stop him and a few cracked ribs was not going to keep Hal from the course.

We made our way to Musqueam Golf Club and had one of those perfect moments that lasted a few hours.  The weather was great, the course was very playable and the golf was surprisingly good.  We had a great time as we celebrated a Boxing Day Special doing what we love, playing golf in the Spirit of great Friendship.

Hope the rest of you Coach and Friends golf fanatics had some special moments over the holidays.

The best in the new year and many more birdies...Wes

Mark Forrest: About Coach

I have known Lloyd (Coach)  for many, many years. I have played a lot of golf with him over the years and I must say that  Coach has helped me in many ways. I have learned a lot about the game, life, and myself.

 As a Golf Professional I have given thousands of lessons over the years but I must say that I truly admire Lloyds holistic approach to the game of golf. He does not dwell on the mechanics of the swing, but rather, focuses on the experience of playing the game of golf.

Coach is very knowledgeable of the golf swing and has a keen eye for recognizing problems, but it is the way he conveys this message that has gained my trust with my own game. He finds a way to appreciate and celebrate every swing of the club. We improve our game by focusing on the positive things rather than worrying about the negative..

On more than one occasion after I have hit a particularly poor shot, Coach would walk over to me and look up at the sky and say “We are blessed to have the opportunity to be playing golf today”. It is this kind of positive energy that has brought my game to a new level.

 A couple of key ideas that Coach has shared with me is the idea of having 4 one putts per nine. No matter what these one putts are for (eagle, birdie, par) if you accomplish this you will have a decent game. For me this has removed some of the pressure of being perfect on the golf course. It allows me to focus on the opportunity to make a one putt rather than dwell on what it is for.

The second thing he has shared with me is being “In the office”. This is an area within 40 or so yards from the green. Whenever you are in this area you are in “the Office”. This is where we get to work. Any pitch, chip or putt is your opportunity to score. Again this has helped me mentally as it takes the pressure off hitting perfect shots.

I find I always play better in the days and weeks after I have played with Coach, his enthusiasm and positive energy has a lasting effect. It is a privilege to call him a friend.

Mark Forrest...Head Professional

Belmont Golf Course

Mark Forrest: Coach And Friends 2013 Dinner

Every time I see Coach the first thing he talks about is “The Dinner”.  For years I have heard about “The Dinner, The Dinner, The Dinner”.  Coach has invited me several times but work commitments have prevented me from attending.

This year I managed to get the time off and told Coach I could make it. I had no idea of what to expect.  A couple of rounds of golf, a dinner, just another golf event. I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Yes there was golf and dinner, but the experience was much more than that.

I met a group of people who were not only golf enthusiasts, but were there for the experience of celebrating life and the spirit of the game. I met people from Minnesota, Louisiana, The Arctic, Portugal, Victoria, Calgary,  and The lower mainland. It was quite a collection of people all brought together by Coach.

The Golf Course and facility were awesome and the food was second to none. Playing golf was great but it was the opportunity to meet and interact with all of Coach's friends that will stay with me forever. What was really touching was to see the way that Coach has connected with each and every person that attended. They are really a family to him.

The Dinner was something else. Opening with the drummers marching us in, a dance presentation and a song performance, it was something to see.  After the dinner it was great to see all the Prize winners that Coach had picked out. Celebrating their accomplishments for the year.

It was at the end of the presentations that I was totally unprepared for. I was called up to receive a very generous contribution to My Senior Tour Qualifying Event. This gift gives me the opportunity to accomplish a goal and a dream. That is, to earn playing privileges on the European Senior Tour.

I do not know the names of each individual who contributed to this fund, but to Hal and the all of the others I would like to express my most sincere thank you for the opportunity that you have given to me. Both the financial contribution and the confidence that you have expressed in me will go a long way to achieving this goal.

 

I will post some more articles on the goal that you have so generously given me the opportunity to pursue:

Until Then...Thank You

Mark Forrest

Head Professional
Belmont Golf Course

 

2013 Coach & Friends Golf and Dinner Photos

2013 Coach & Friends Golf Tournament

at Bear Mountain Golf Club in Victoria, BC

Friday October 4, 2013

 Coach Lloyd Gauthier and his friends met for the annual Coach & Friends Tournament on a gorgeous partly sunny morning in Victoria.  12 teams teed off from the Mountain course at the Westin Bear Mountain Golf and Country Club.  PGA pro Mark Forrest joined Lloyd and his friends by giving each team a fantastic first shot off the first tee. 

Photos by Pam Irvine

Mark Forrest, Lloyd Gauthier, Norm Jackson, Guy Bonefant

 

Al Moyes, Mark Forrest, Nancy Moyes, Geoff Irvine, Dave Irvine

Terry Willey, Mark Lawrence, John Grieve, Ken Beresford



Mike Toller, Mike McIntyre, Mark Forrest, Mark Goodman



Neil Myers, Steve Stern, Mark Forrest, Henry Zipser, Dave Vogel



Corey Shewchuk, Ryan Solda, Mel O'Brien, Mark Forrest, Ken Sandwith

 

Charlie Maxwell, Maureen Uphill, Connie Deckert, Roger Phillips

Mark Forrest, Tom Reise, Kristi Reise, Charlie Pigdon, Robert Schmidt

Peter Tomenilson, Barry Little, Mark Forrest, Ron Webb

Sam Headge, Mac McCuaig, Mark Forrest, Hiroshi Shibata, Tom Felter

Sam Headge, Hiroshi Shibata, Tom Felter on bear

David Pye, Mark Forrest, Thomas Axmann, Ron Bickford, Laurie Baines 

Gordon Duncan, Hal McInerney, Mark Forrest, Philip Bisset-Covaneiro

PGA pro Mark Forrest & our patient starter

Norm Jackson proud of his shot

Connie Deckert & Roger Phillips

Looking high and low for a lost ball

Terry Willey lining up a shot for eagle

Terry Willey putting for eagle.  Unfortunately he only got a birdie.

Robert Schmidt giving instructions

The Westin Bear Mountain

Beautiful view from the top of Bear Mountain on Friday morning

Maureen Uphill



Socializing in hospitality suite on Friday evening

The banquet was held on Saturday night at the Olympic View Golf Course.

Chinese dancers were the entertainment at the banquet Saturday night

 

Tasty Baron of beef prepared and served by chef Mel O'Brien of the Olympic View Golf Course.

Hal McInerney - Emcee for the Saturday night banquet at the Olympic View Golf Course

Golf Pro Mark Forrest

 

2013 Coach And Friends Golf And Dinner

Can you believe that another great summer is coming to an end and on October 3-5 we will be celebrating our 12th Annual Coach And Friends Golf And Dinner.

This year something special and something new.  The headquarters for the event will be moved from the Executive House Hotel in downtown Victoria, which is under renovation, to The Bear Mountain Golf Resort and Spa.  Lloyd tells me the penthouse room for all our social activities is incredible with a fantastic view and the rooms are to die for at a special rate.

HOTEL RESERVATION:  Guests should reserve their rooms on an individual basis by calling 1-250-391-7160 or 1-888-533-2327 and identify yourself as The Gauthier Golf Group(rate 4196) to get the special rate.  A Traditional room with taxes will be around $149.50 per night that includes parking and access to the athletic club.  One bedroom suites are also available at a cost of $207.00 per nite including taxes. NOTE---to get the special room rates, rooms need to be booked by SEPTEMBER 20.

GOLF, FOOD AND FUN:  For those guest arriving on Thursday or sooner the Highlands Golf and Country Club tee times have been booked for guest between 11am to 1pm for those wishing to golf.  The golf fees will be around $74.00 which includes shared cart.  For all golfers staying at Bear Mountain make sure you check your clubs at the Pro Shop Thursday so that everything is ready for Friday morning tee time (clubs will be placed on carts).   Thursday evening things get started in the Penthouse at Bear Mountain with wine, cheese and food.  Terry Willey will be the grand chef and as usual it will be a great time to meet and greet old friends.

Friday-in the morning breakfast will be served in the Penthouse (7-8:30) and the Shamble format tee times at Bear Mountain (Mountain Course) will start from 9:00 to 11:20 am.  Cost for golf will be $74.00 including shared cart and team compositions/groups will be announced.  The Shamble format was very popular last year as the best drive from each team was selected and then each player played out their ball from the selected spot.  You will be asked to name the provincial/city or state team you want your score to go towards in order to declare this years championship team.  Last year it was Team Ontario that won bragging rights with Manitoba an Alberta close behind.
Friday nite guests will gather at the Penthouse after the Shamble to announce the winning team as well as to share golf stories.  The plan is to have pot luck or get together at Jack's Restaurant across the street for Dinner...should be a great time.

Saturday-breakfast will again be served at the Penthouse, then it is open activity day to go whale watching, golf or whatever you want.  A car pool will be arranged to leave Bear Mountain at 5:00pm for Olympic View for Dinner.  Cocktail hour will be from 5:30-7:00pm with dinner starting around 7:00pm and the dinner charge is $50.00.  As usual it will be a great evening with friends, fun and special prizes and surprises.

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL SOON...LLOYD