The last time I was at Seaforth Golf Club for an event, Moe Norman had a heart attack (preventing him from attending as planned), Dan Halldorson and Ken Venning somehow set the range on fire as they were doing a clinic, and the well ran dry.
Things went a lot better at yesterday's media kick-off for the Country Classic, the Canadian Tour event being played at the Southwestern Ontario course Aug. 28-31.
In the interim, Moe and Ken have passed on, and Dan has left the playing to others as he co-mans the helm at the Canadian Tour along with Rick Janes. And there have been lots more changes at Seaforth.
What was a decent country layout a few years back has been transformed into something pretty special thanks to a joint effort by head pro Cam Doig and his brother, greens superintendent Todd (more on the Doig clan to come), architect Ian Andrew, and Halldorson. An upscale subdivision is being developed, there's a million-dollar irrigation system and a fleet of new carts, but the heart and soul of Seaforth Golf Club remains unchanged.
Ken Doig, along with his wife Mary, were there yesterday, brimming with pride. A week from his 80th birthday, he still looks like he would be a tough competitor in golf or hockey (his two passions), and judging by the size of his forearms, you would lose at arm-wrestling.
Ken and his brother Rod designed the original nine holes on their family farm in 1960. Ken's life would make an almost unbelievable book. He coached and played hockey in Canada and Europe and, after playing golf for only one year, he qualified for the 1955 British Open at the age of 21. Playing in the second round with 1951 Open champion Max Faulkner, he three-putted the last green to miss the cut by one shot.
His offspring are no less intriguing.
In addition to Cam and Todd, sister Carolanne runs the club and is the force behind Seaforth Rain Gear, the superb line that is favoured by many PGA Tour and LPGA players, and has been chosen by Ryder, Presidents and Solheim Cup teams.
Another brother, Ian, is a touring pro and Ken Jr. has made his career as a professional caddie.
Carolanne and Cam kicked off yesterday's press conference by saying, "We've never put on a media day. As a matter of fact, we've never been to one."
If I've been to one I've been to 500 over the years. Monday's was well done, but it was the only one I've ever been to where the emcee asked everyone to sing Happy Birthday to a member of the local media.
But there were no excuses made for that folksy touch. Like everything at Seaforth, it was genuine.
(For more information, visit www.seaforthcountryclassic.com.)