Sasiliats Sect Alfred and Jean Welch -- Happiness among the holes The Metcalfe Golf Course, situated just north of the village, is a new challenge for Alfred and Jean Welch, owners of this five- year-old operation. Ottawa-born Alfred and Chesterville-born Jean have own- ed the 100 acres where the golf course is located for over 30 years. The Welch's operated a hobby farm including 20 head of Hereford beef, chickens, guinea hens, a horse and even some apple trees. Alfred grew tired of running his roofing business in Ottawa. Known as T. Welch and Son Ltd., the roofing company had been in business for almost 100 years with the earliest records dating back to 1880. Alfred and Jean, along with their two sons, Tom, 31, Scott 19, and daughter Marilym had been clearing the land for quite some time and on the advice of some friends, the Welch's decided to build a golf course. Construction began in 1972, The family continued to clear the land, cut down dead trees and had loads of clean fill brought in to shape the golf course. Near-tragedy struck on New Year's Day 1975 when a tree they were cutting fell on Alfred and broke one of his legs. Down as he was, Alfred never gave up and began working on the golf course in early Spring of 1975. Alfred said, "I was the only person in the Civic Hospital suffering from Dutch Elm Disease." At present, the course is 3379 yds. long for nine holes. The Welch's say four new holes will be ready by mid-summer. With those four in operation, only holes 1-5 will have to be played twice. Although Alfred only plays golf three or four times a year, he believes that hole 1 is the toughest. He says there is a feeling of nar- rowness because of the trees lining both sides of the fairway. Another problem is the boulder also at the beginning of the first hole accor- ding to Jean. "I can remember on one occa- sion where a man hit the boulder twice and both times the ball land- ed behind him near the clubhouse. A man, seeing this, brought the balls back to the man who denied that they were his balls to prevent further embarrassment,"' she said laughing. Another memory Jean recalled "POETS OF THE.. CASTOR 5 Thanks coach While mom's warmed their hands around coffee cups, And dad's paced the time on the stair The shots rang out and the sticks hit the ice; The taste of victory hung in the air. Each boy took his turn in the struggle, And each his turn warming the seat. And each parent hoped in his heart of hearts That this time they wouldn't be beat. Then the buzzer announced the end of the game, And the coached cheered them up with a smile, Sure it would have been nice to win this once But you guys know how to lose with style. So they saluted the goalie a re- sounding thump, And the winning team with a grin. For each game held lots of excite- ment, Though they'd home with a win. seldom come But they knew not to blame the ref on the ice, And they'd work hard to perfect their skill. For they'd learned that the game's a reward all its own, And all equally shared in the thrill. Those boys were a team the whole season long, Through success and won" too. They'd worked and they'd learn- ed, and each player improved And each game brought them hope anew. "almost They had coaches who cared for the boys, not the score. Who insured each child's con- fidence grew. Thank you Garry, Chuck and Dennis For seeing the through! "Atom A's" Anne Fleming Russell. Russell old Golds take second The Russell Oldtimer Golds took second place in the season- ending tournament which saw six Castor-area oldtimer teams com- peting at the Dr. Frank Kinnaird Community Centre last month. Crysler took the first place trophy donated by Voyageur Pontiac Buick Ltd. At right, Bruce Woolsey, president of the Russell Oldtimers Hockey League, presents the second-place trophy donated by the Russell Hotel to Gerry Leroux, to Golds captain. Mike Fletcher, of the Golds, won the MVP trophy donated by Ben- ny's Hotel. 92 Mill St. RUSSELL FOOD MART Tyo's Red & White Store "'your friendly grocer" Selected meats, produce and groceries Catering Personal Service -- Best Value eee 445-5557. |. was the day in late fall when a hus- band and wife team along with a friend decided to do some golfing. The weather wasn't the nicest. It was cold, damp, windy and rainy and the trio was beginning the back nine. The woman shot the ball into the creek. Her husband offered to get his ball retriever. His wife said she'd get it. While trying to retrieve her golf ball, she slid into the creek and sat on the ball. Her husband tried to pull her out and in the process, fell in himself. The friend ended up pull- ing the pair out of the frigid waters. Surprisingly, they finished the game. Metcalfe Golf Course already has 50 memberships for 1980 and more are expected as the Welch's prepare for a busy summer. Alfred Welch and boulder on Fairway 1 (Michael Van Dusen Photo). to meet the Buffalo Sabres. advanced to the finals. CS wins to do it. RISRAP With Garey Ris As the National Hockey League season draws to a conclu- sion, the NHL governors must hold some serious discussions concerning the playoff format which resembles nothing more than a minor league operation. It's a disgrace to the league. The NHL expanded to 21 teams from 17, absorbing four former World Hockey Association teams. Edmonton, Win- nipeg, Quebec and Hartford merged into the NHL and it couldn't have happened at a better time because of skyrocketing salaries, dwindling attendance and basically, floundering interest in the world's fastest game. On the ice it was a different story. Hartford finished in 14th position and Edmonton in the 16th and final playoff spot. Both were easily eliminated in the preliminary round. The NHL showed why it isn't a first rate operation by allow- ing 16 teams to qualify for further competition. Only nine teams out of the 16 had records over the .500 average. Ridiculous as it may seem, the NHL continues to have 16 playoff teams where only the top eight should qualify for fur- ther action. Obviously, the league desires the extra playoff revenues from a bunch of also-rans. If the playoffs were revamped to include only the eight highest teams at the season end, we would have to wait until late May to determine who would win the Stanley Cup. It's time the NHL governors did something about the quali- ty of playoff hockey and the time to do it is now. The road to the Stanley Cup has raised a few eyebrows, especially with the early departure of the Montreal Canadiens. Montreal Canadiens' fans have become accustomed to win- ning over the past four years and the Canadiens were expected Due to injuries to five key players, the Habs weren't at full strength and with speed and tenacious checking, the North Stars made believers out of many hockey fans. The Stars died in the semi-finals at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers who Much was also expected of the Boston Bruins. However, the Bruins played 10 games in 15 days and it caught up with them in their quarter-final encounter with the New York Islanders. The Isles handled the physical Bruins but it took two overtime SJ Recreation NeWS _ »rawie BALL HOCKEY At last report I had inserted a request for those people interested in playing "ball hockey" at the arena to drop in on April 23 at 7:30 p.m. to determine the interest and hopefully form a committee to get the program on the road. Unfortunately, only 11 people at- tended, 10 of which were children and one adult. That's not all bad news but cer- tainly there are more people in this town interested in summer ac- tivities and willing to provide the children, youth and adults with more than one activity to choose from. People wishing to register - for ball hockey may do so May 20th, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.; May 2Ist, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. The cost will be $5.00 per player and the schedule will consist of one game per week. The complete schedule will be made up once registration is completed. If there is not enough registration then we will have to cancel this program. specialists service in custom drapery, vertical blinds, bedspreads e.r. pollard : shop-at-home residential & $for tree estimates call 235-7743 . 112 Lisgar St} PLAYGROUND PROGRAM Toys are needed for this pro- gram. As I mentioned in our last issue please call me at the arena, 445-2050, and arrangements can be made to drop them off here. POOL PROGRAM Yes, we will be open! Many thanks to this year's pool commit- tee for their support. Our next issue will cover the registration dates. Please watch in your next issue as well as in the Russell Restaurant, post office and Tyo's Red & White. Those people interested in Mom N'Tot lessons, adult lessons and swim team are asked to contact the arena, 445-2050, and leave your name and telephone number. OLD TIME JAMBOREE Saturday, June 14, 1980 will see Custom made Drapes commercial the first Old Timers' Jamboree sponsored by Ottawa & District Old Time Fiddlers Assoc., East Osgoode & District Old Time Fid- dlers, Russell Old Time Music & Dancing Association held at Dr. F. Kinnaird Community Centre. Everyone's welcome at the evening festivities. See you there! VICE & CRAIG Funeral Homes Inc. METCALFE 821-2120 WINCHESTER 774-2120 CHESTERVILLE 448-2120 Crysler Oldtimers take season Crysler Oldtimers defeated the Russell "Gold" team to win the Russell Oldtimer Hockey Tourna- ment held April 5 at the Dr. Frank Kinnaird Community Centre. The six-team event included the OC Transpo Oldtimers, Capital City Tractor and three teams from Russell from the Oldtimer Hockey League.