Features Profiles
Canada bounces back to capture Fall Classic, takes advantage of U.S.A. manpower shortage

IN spite of losing six of 11 matches, the Western Ontario Golf
Superintendents Association held on to narrowly capture victory Oct. 18
in its Fall Classic match play competition against the Western New York
Golf Superintendents Association.

The slim 221/2 to 211/2 margin of victory gave the Canadians their fourth win on the 10th anniversary of the annual competition which was played at Fort Erie, Ont.’s Cherry Hill Country Club.

The American side continues to enjoy  6-4 series lead.

A last-minute shortage of golfers by the Western New York team led to a loan of four Canadian golfers to even up the sides. Those assigned to the U.S. team earned points for their side, but not enough to turn the tables against their home country.

“Some Canadians had to step forward and put the American flag on,” said WOGSA captain John Taylor, superintendent at The Oakville Golf Club. “They did an admirable job, I must say.”

Four points were at stake in each match. Each golfer was teamed with a partner for six holes of scramble play, six holes of best ball, and six holes of singles play against their counterpart from the opposite team. Unlike previous years, when several matches have ended in lopsided 4-0 shutouts, points were secured by each team in every one of the 11 matches.

Prior to the awarding of the Fall Classic Cup to the winning Canadian team from U.S. captain Scott Dodson, Taylor praised Cherry Hill superintendent John Gall for the immaculate playing conditions of the golf course. Cherry Hill recently underwent a series of significant changes to the golf course.

The 11th annual Fall Classic will be held for the first time in Rochester, N.Y. at the Irondequoit Country Club.