DATE: NIAGARA FALLS, JULY 23, 2008
Niagara Parks Whirlpool Golf Course

Niagara Parks Whirlpool Golf Course in beautiful Niagara Falls, Ontario was the setting for this year’s 36th Annual Flowers Canada (Ontario) – Cecil Delworth golf tournament. Held on July 23rd, the tournament was enjoyed by 125 golfers from businesses and organizations across the industry.

At first it was questionable if the tournament would proceed on time due to the looming clouds over head. Yet spirits were high and Irwin Smith, Executive Director of Flowers Canada (Ontario) Inc. joked, “It doesn’t rain on my party”. However, the tee off was postponed just a few minutes, then the skies cleared, breaking away for a lovely golf-filled day.

Flowers Canada (Ontario) Inc. holds this tournament each year to raise money for the Cecil Delworth Foundation. This foundation gives research-education funding to the Canadian Floral Industry. While a full accounting is not yet available, it seems this was our most successful year ever and we will be happy to publish the final figure when the cheque is prepared for the Cecil Delworth Foundation.

Although the golfers varied in their skill level, everyone was blown away by Paul Day’s hole-in-one on the 14th hole. Paul received the Men’s Closest to the Pin trophy presented by Mark Crandon from Greenhouse Canada . Diane Kleer received the Ladies’ Closest to the Pin Teleflora trophy for her shot on the 6th hole. There were also trophies presented to Peter and Andy Vander Hoeven, Peter Voogt and Paul Bongers who were the winners of this year’s Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl is given on behalf of Canadian Florist to those participants with the Low Team Gross. This year’s Rose Bowl winners finished with 9 under par. Sherri Penner received the Ladies’ Longest Drive trophy and Ryan Gibson won the Men’s Longest Drive. Brian, Stephanie, Jaquie and Aimee Slaman were given the award for most honest team.

Additional winners who went home happy included Bernie Grodzinski who won the dining certificate for shooting Closest to the 9th hole, Dave Harrison who was Closest to the Wand on the 1st hole, Jim Slappendel who won the 50/50 draw and Dave Hewitt who won the Putting Contest. This year an incredible 10 players managed to get their balls to stay in the dinghy and were eligible to receive ½ the proceeds of the game split between them. However, Jim Vander Zalm, Sean Chiki, Paul Day, Gerry Harrison, John Boekestyn, Jack Langelaan, Kevin Westra, Gerry Vermeer, Peter Voogt and Kevin Edwards all donated their winners back to the Cecil Delworth Foundation. While no one shot a hole in one on the 3rd hole and got to plan a cruise with Niagara CruiseShipCenters, Pat DeMateo was happy to be Closest to this hole and take home a Satellite radio, compliments of EngageAgro. But no one went home happier than the Slaman family who won the raffle for the BBQ donated by Robinson, Lott & Brohman. In case you thought those girls in blue Pick Ontario t-shirts were everywhere, they were! Three of his daughters golfed with Brian Slaman and the other two served as volunteers running the games.

Pick Ontario was one of many proud sponsors and gave all participants a pickOntario t-shirt to promote our own Ontario grown products. With T-shirt in hand, most agreed that the event was not only an escape from the office, but a successful time to connect with other members of the industry. Each player was also pleased to receive a sleeve of golf balls compliments of Ontario Flower Growers Cooperative and a bottle of water compliments of Brock Office Automation. The dining room was resplendent with centerpieces donated by Hendriks Greenhouses and banners representing our sponsors Scotiabank, AgEnergy, Willson, Temkin, and Enbridge. Golfers were eager to buy tickets both for the BBQ donated by Robinson, Lott & Brohman and for the 50/50 draw. Additional special prizes were donated by Martin Farms and EngageAgro.

Special thanks goes out to all of our volunteers and the additional 36 tee/green sponsors listed on the program.