As the weather started to turn nippy across northern North America, 74 GCIU members and guests journeyed south to a more hospitable climate to seek bragging rights and prizes at the Ninth Annual Guy DeVito-GCIU Golf Tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

For three successive days – Oct. 17-19 – the golfers played three of Myrtle Beach's premier courses: Myrtle Beach National's Southcreek Course, The Myrtlewood Pine Hills Course, and The Wizard. The golfers' abilities ranged from duffers to single-digit handicaps. In keeping with the varying skill levels, the course selection was geared to provide a challenge to every golfer.

In contrast to the 2001 tournament when icy winds invaded the deep south, this year's gathering was blessed with gentle weather. It was well appreciated by GCIU members from northern climes where the frost had descended earlier in the fall.

Leveling the playing field

The tournament schedule was the same as in past golf outings. All the golfers played the first day at Myrtle Beach National's Southcreek Course. Scores were used to determine skill levels. Golfers were then grouped into one of six "flights."

Over the second and third days at Myrtlewood Pine Hills and The Wizard, they were then competing against a group of similar abilities in their flight for the many prizes donated by the GCIU and other sponsors. This system gave every golfer a chance to compete against those whose abilities were closest to his own.

The low gross winner, Jim Burgoon, left, awaits presentation of a carved bowl symbolic of the tourney's top golfer from Len Lanphear, center, and Ron Johnson during the awards banquet.

The competition has become something of a tradition for a hardy group of GCIU golfers and their guests. By bringing a big group to Myrtle Beach, the organizers can assure the lowest cost for the group package and assure bookings on some of the best golf courses in North America. The tournament has a following of golfers who return year after year. And participants talk over the breakfast table about the relative merits – and difficulties – of the courses they have played in past years.

The leader board

Some fine performances were turned in this year. The low-gross winner who topped the first flight was James Burgoon Jr., son of GCIU Philadelphia 14M retiree James Burgoon. The younger Burgoon played in the foursome with his father and posted 75 and 75 for a total of 150 to top all other golfers. Burgoon received a beautiful cut glass bowl to signify his triumph. He was followed in the first flight standings by guest Robert Potter who carded an 80-80 for a total of 160. Chuck Genoa, from GCIU Kansas City 235M, tallied 84-81 over the two competitive days of the tourney for a third place finish in the flight.

Second flight honors went to Bob Maklund, a guest, who shot 89 and 89 for a 178 total. He was followed in second place by Wayne Thul, a St. Paul 1M retiree who invited Maklund to the tournament. Thul scored 91 and 89 to wind up with a 180 total – only two strokes behind his friend. The third spot in the flight went to Willie Campbell, a member of Cincinnati 508M, who completed the 36 holes with 96 and 85 for 181 strokes.

The third flight was won by New Brunswick 196C Pres. Ed Downey with 93-93 for a total of 186. He was followed by Sean O'Connor, son of International Representative Joe O'Connor, who also played in the tournament. Sean carded a score of 96-93 for a 189 total. Don Smith of New York Local 2N shot 104 and 90 for a total of 194 to win third spot in the flight.

Clifford Charleson, president of American Time Manufacturing of Rochester, N.Y., and one of the tourney's prime sponsors, sends a low liner off the first tee at the famous Wizard course on the third day of play.

Tim Tully of Chicago 458M headed the fourth flight with a 94-93 score totaling 187. Kevin O'Connor, a member of Providence 12N and another son of International Rep. Joe O'Connor, overcame a 104 on the first competitive day and shot an 88 on the final day to bring his total score down to 192 for second place in the flight. James McPherson took third place with 97-99 scored to total 196.

Harvey Kirkendall, a member of Detroit 13N, headed the fifth flight with 97-88 (185). Syracuse 284M Pres. Ron Johnson, one of the organizers of the golf tournament, came in second with scores of 99-102 for a 201 total. Guest Richard Osborne tallied 102-103 for 205.

The sixth flight was topped by Bob Hopkins of Midwest 128N with a two-day score of 226 (122 and 104). He was followed by Mike Schmalz of Chicago 458M, who took 242 golf strokes(120 and 122) over two days. Charlie Donovan of Cincinnati 508M shot 119 and 128 for a 247 total to take third place in the sixth flight.

Other prizes

In addition to prizes for the top golfers in each flight, there were other prizes for driving distance and accuracy at each of the three courses the GCIU contingent played.

At Myrtle Beach National Southcreek, guest Steve Carrigan won both the long drive contest on hole 15 and a prize for being closest to the pin on hole 4. Closest to the line honors was won by Chicago 458M's John Wajler. Another prize for closest to the pin on hole 13 went to Joe Bilbrey, also of Local 458M.

At Myrtlewood Pine Hills, Chuck Genoa of Kansas City 235M took long drive honors on hole 18. Mike Osborne of Local 458M was closest to the pin on hole 4. And Garry Foreman of Indianapolis 17M drove within feet of the stick on hole 17. Bob Potter was closest to the line on hole 9.

On the final day at The Wizard, Ernie Dodge of tourney sponsor American Time Co. drove the longest on hole 11. He backed it up by coming closest to the pin on hole 17. Garry Foreman won a second closest to the pin award on hole 2. Larry Ohlsen of Twin Cities 1B came closest to the line.

Sponsors make it possible

During the banquet, golf tourney organizers Lynn Lanphear, president of Rochester 503M, and Ron Johnson, president of Syracuse 284M, thanked the sponsors who make the tourney possible every year. Among these sponsors are: American Time Products in Rochester; The Union Labor Life Insurance Company of Washington, D.C.; Metropolitan Travel Co. of Arlington, Va.; and the Graphic Communications International Union in Washington, D.C.

And the golfers were quick to thank those who put the tourney together each year, including Lanphear, Johnson, and a dozen or so volunteers who perform the many tasks involved in making arrangements and staffing a tourney to accommodate the golfers, their families, and guests.

Speaking at the traditional awards banquet at the end of the tournament, former GCIU Secy.-Treas.Guy DeVito praised the comraderie of the golfers. He noted that the golf outing brings GCIU members and their guests together each year to play the game they love. He also thanked the sponsors and those who volunteer their time to make the tournament an annual event.

The tourney format calls for organizers to check scores after the first day's play at Myrtle Beach National Southcreek golfers are assigned to "flights" to compete against those of similar abilities. After play, the committee was hard at work. From left are: Ed Downey, president of New Brunswick 196C; former GCIU Secy.-Treas. Guy DeVito, his son, Terry DeVito, retired GCIU International Representative Bill McFadden, and Ron Johnson, president of Syracuse 284M.