Golf and tradition are one. The success of the 6th annual MES golf tournament has definitely established a new tradition in tribal gatherings. Year after year, the women retain their Baltic beauty while the men remain hearty gentlemen. The Oasis golf course in Lachute continues to offer more pleasant discoveries than the Hell Holes Nature Trail in Ontario, and the wee bit of precipitation that drizzled on this year’s event would be considered “Scottish mist” in the land where golf received its royal and ancient rules.
With Estonians, everyone is welcome, and everyone wins. Just show up! The tradition of “firsts” advanced onward in 2011 with a fresh award for the youngest participants in the tournaments history - Suvi & Kalev Altosaar - thanks to their finesse in handing out popsicles on the 13th hole. The 3 and 7 year olds proudly accepted their prizes, declining to say a few words - despite sweet cries from the audience: “Speech! Speech!”
Also, an inaugural award for “most original outfit’ was bestowed upon Andres Altosaar for his flowered Hawaiin shirt and plaid short-shorts and knee-socks, dressed to battle both sands and heathlands. And next year, a prize will have to be offered for “the cheesiest smile” following the traditional après-golf photo shoot in front of the traditional maple tree. Ah, yes, tradition. That ageless word without wrinkles.
Another first - (and hopefully last) - involved The Investors Group Par 3 Challenge. This business group appeared out of nowhere through MES e-mail, and proposed a dare upon the lengthy Par 3, 17th hole. “Place a $10 bet and if you hit the green with one stroke, you will leave with $20. Miss and the MES is the winner!” Alas, the company reps failed to meet the challenge of showing up - due either to the rainfall, or if they were coming from Montreal: the falling concrete.
Nevertheless, the laissez-faire laughter rolled on. The best aggregate score was a 66, posted again from a team led by the semi-pro Anu Nerska (the others were David Sheridan, Toomas Taal and Vello Taal). She joyfully proclaimed “I want to make sure that my name appears on the trophy year after year.” Not to spoil the anticipation and thrill of the grass for mortal amateurs, it was suggested that perhaps next year, the MES should insist that Ms. Nerska hit from the men’s tees!
The award for “most honest golfers” (not lying about their scores) went to the scrupulous competitors (Nancy Atkins, Dieter Degen and Tom Ventser (with Rein Maasik as the designated driver - with a sore foot), who together registered an honest-to-goodness 92.
The closest-to-the-hole student scholarship prize (sponsored by the Estonian Foundation of Canada) was won by Matti Tikovt with a distance of 5’ 4”; and the closest-to-the-hole by a non-student (the Andres Pedriks prize) was won by David Sheridan whose ball landed 6’ 1’ from the cup. The most accurate drive (female) went to Judy Tamm; and the most accurate drive (male) went to David Sheridan.
The traditional prizes of wine and golf paraphernalia went down very fine — no swapping. But the special stimulus package for this year came in the form of a Callaway hybrid trouble wedge, and two tickets (worth $150.00) to see The Lion King at Place des Arts. Free blue caps to all in attendance, bearing the MES insignia, could be used by golfers to wave hello and goodbye to cattle in the region while driving home at sunset stuffed with stomachs full of delicious beef and potatoes.
And at the end of the habitually happy supper and formalities, this time-around, Raimo Heyduck stepped up to the stage to offer the customary kudos to Karl J. Raudsepp. And as usual, the round of applause for the chief organizer and emcee thundered loud and long - (the only thunder to be heard on that drizzly day). And to be so honoured, as always, Karl smiled at all the tournament-tested devotees with his traditional look of surprise and welcomed everyone to join the fun again next year!
