As the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club marked their 50th anniversary this weekend, two of their most prominent members were saluted for their efforts.
Curler Sherry Anderson and golfer Ron Stewart were the guests of honour during Saturday’s dinner as the lifetime members received standing ovations from the crowd.
“It’s very humbling,” Stewart said. “There’s so many people here at the club that have done so much to get events organized and to get people involved in both curling and golf, so to be presented with this tonight is really an honour.”
“It makes me feel a little older, but it’s a huge honour” Anderson joked. “The whole weekend was a great time to reflect on the great memories we have here at the club and hopefully that continues in the future. There are many curling clubs in the province that have struggled to stay open over the years, and it’s important for us to make sure that these places continue to thrive. Once they are gone, it takes a little away from the community.”
Anderson, who was introduced by former teammates Elaine McCloy and Donna Gignac, has won the provincial women’s title on seven occasions and captured the senior women’s title for Canada earlier this year.
Her first two trips to the Scotties came in 1994 and 1995 as she teamed up with Gignac, McCloy and Kay Montgomery to represent Prince Albert on the national stage.
“We had a lot of support those years from everyone here in Prince Albert and my hometown in Christopher Lake,” Anderson said.
“The amount of fans that have cheered our rinks on over the years when I’ve had the chance to represent the club and the province is always something that I’m grateful for.”
Ron Stewart speaks to the crowd during his speech in the T. Gordon Thompson Room Saturday.
Stewart, who introduced by friend and fellow golfer Martin Ring, won three provincial titles in 1977, 1987 and 2007, with the last coming at the Cooke Municipal Course in a tournament where he competed alongside his son Dave.
While his name is engraved many of the trophies at the course, Stewart made a point during his speech to recognize many of the people he has played with and those who were involved in putting events on over the years.
“That background support is huge at a course like this,” Stewart said. “There’s around 100 people here who are willing to step up and help out on any given occasion.
“Prince Albert is a community where everyone gets together as a group to make things happen. We wouldn’t be able to have the provincial or national events that come here without that support.”
Saturday’s dinner, which was rounded out by a speech from TSN’s Vic Rauter, took place in the newly renamed T. Gordon Thompson Room.
Thompson, who was an executive member of the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club from 1967 to 1976, played a major role in putting together a plan to establish the club at it’s current location.
His grandson Gord accepted an award on the family’s behalf Friday in previously named Cosmo Room.
