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  

Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover

Today Lloyd and I (Wes Hadikin) had one of those special afternoons at the Stanley Park Pitch and Putt which brought back memories of how we first met some 3 years ago.  Lloyd asked me to post the Story, which I had on my own blog, entitled "You can't judge a book by it's cover"...enjoy.   

It was a typical Vancouver November day with grey skies and light falling rain on the already soaked greens at the Stanley Park Pitch and Putt Golf Course. A day when only fools or golf enthusiasts would dare venture out and there I was, the only person on the course, putting for a birdie on the second hole. From out of nowhere, climbing over a 5 foot fence, a slight older man appeared wearing large work boots and carrying a tattered coat.

My first reaction was one of dismay that this street person would jump a fence on a golf course to ask for some money…I had made the classic mistake and judged a book by it’s cover.

His first words were “my name is Lloyd and can I join you for a game of golf?” He produced 3 golf clubs from underneath the tattered coat and we walked back to the first hole to start our game. That day turned out to be a special beginning to a friendship as Lloyd and I played golf and exchanged stories in the pouring rain. As we golfed and laughed that day I learned more about Lloyd, that he was a teaching golf professional of Cree heritage and his seven under par that day proved he knew his craft well.

What impressed me most was Lloyd’s zest and joy of life and a positive attitude even though he had few possessions. He basically owned nothing, someone had given him the use of an old car that became transportation and home. He told me that during the winter months he would work in the oil and mining industries that took him around the world. During the summer he would pursue his passion as a golf coach helping a large list of clients scattered around North America.

Lloyd talked about an annual dinner when his golf students would come together to celebrate golf and life. I was sceptical but accepted a recent invitation to attend the Coach and Friends dinner in Victoria, British Columbia, it turned out to be the high point of my year. Some 120 people, from as far away as Florida and Louisiana, attend the event and told stories about Lloyd and how he had touched their lives and helped their golf game.

I realized that this guy is the real deal. His mission is to make people’s lives just a little bit better by wrapping his golf wisdom into lessons of fun and life encouragement. The true measure of a man is not so much what he does but what he gives to others. At the end of the day you know that you have gotten the greatest gift of all and that is one of true friendship.

Lloyd lives a life of true freedom and simplicity without the concerns that most of us have about money and the future. He just has the belief that the Spirit will bring thing together in a good way and that true joy comes in helping others and being grateful. He feels that trying to make and save lots of money often gets in the way of living life. A lot of people talk about living a life they love and Lloyd is actually doing it.

Sometimes we run across a rare tattered book that, in it’s pages, are life lessons of profound significance. That rainy day in November I came across a living book called Lloyd who affected me deeply with his life of freedom, simplicity, gratitude and joy.

Coach And Friends: Food And Friendship

In my previous post I mentioned that although the Coach and Friends Event is focused on Golf at Bear Mountain and the main Dinner Saturday night at the Olympic View Golf Club, there are a number of unique things that happen behind the scenes that make the Event special.  The previous post mention "Food" and all the volunteer people that served up some fantastic treats.  Now I would like to touch on another special aspect of the event and that is all about Friendships made.

As we know Lloyd has been all over the place and has made friends everywhere that are committed to attend the Coach and Friends Event.  Next to Lloyd is Richard Lambright, who lives in Florida but flew in from Russia just to be part of the golf and dinner.

Pictured on the left are Al and Darlene Taylor and on the right are Hal and Brenda McInerney.  Al and Darlene reside in Tampa, Florida and came to the Coach and Friends Event on their 25th wedding anniversary.  After the Event they took the Ferry to Vancouver and celebrated their 25th with Hal and Brenda as well as me (Wes) and my wife Maxine.  They enjoyed dinning out with us at such exotic places like the Tomahawk Restaurant and Cloud 9 (revolving restaurant on 42nd floor), lasting friendships were made.

   The Florida Boys, from left to right is Michael Hux, Al Taylor and Arnie Feustel.  You will not meet a nicer and louder group of guys anywhere.  Each one a real character and an Honor to call them new friends.

 Some friendships go back a few years, on Lloyd's right is long time friend Ian McGill (from Lafayette, Louisiana) who worked with Coach some 25 years ago.  On Lloyd's left is Jamie McGill, Ian's brother, who lives in Calgary.  Far left is Ryan Solda from Saskatoon, Sask. and Ian's nephew.  Ryan received the shot of the year award from Coach at the dinner for his Hole In One on the 17th hole Par 4 at Bear Mountain...way to go Ryan.  Behind the group is the bus that takes the hotel guests to the Dinner at Olympic View...just another quality touch that makes the event special.

At the end of each day guests were able to relax at the penthouse suite at the Executive House.  A perfect setting to chat, have a few drinks and make new friends.

2012 Golf And Dinner Best Ever?

The Coach And Friends Golf and Dinner was held in beautiful Victoria, BC from October 11-13th and many have commented that it may have been the best Event they have attended.

 There are a lot of unique things that make this Coach and Friends Event special.  Over the next few posts I would like to touch on some of these special aspects from my (Wes Hadikin) perspective. 

In my mind one of the special features of the Event can be put into one word..."food" and when you mention food you have to talk about the people behind the scenes that work so hard to make it special.  Thursday night Kathryn Willey (Middle of table) and her son Terry did a fantastic job of preparing a feast at the Executive House Penthouse.  The following morning Hal and Brenda McInerney took charge greeting guest to a traditional breakfast before the golfers headed out to Bear Mountain.

Friday night Vera Tregunna and her best friend Maggie McCreadie (from Kelowna)  took over and wowed us with their original recipe of Cornish Pastys, Meat Pies and Crab Dip.  For dessert delicious Carrot Cake was served and everyone stuffed themselves.

Not to be outdone the Louisiana Boy, Ian McGill, and his brother Jamie (from Calgary) showed us what a Saturday breakfast means Cajun style.  Ian's creation featured deep fried green tomatoes done in a special sauce topped with shrimp...absolutely delicious.  It not only tasted great but looked fantastic as well...see for yourself.

  So before anyone even got to the Dinner Saturday night for a fantastic meal they were served some mouth watering meals along the way.  This is just one of the things that makes the Coach and Friends Event so special; all the wonderful people who have volunteered their time to serve us with some exceptional and unique food...Thanks You All.

European Magic At The Ryder Cup

Henry Zipser sent the following link...enjoy: Http://www.youtube.com/everyshotimaginable