Golfing In the Arctic

Golfing may be the last sport you would expect to be played in the Arctic. I was surprised to find that because of one event, golfing became popular with the Inuit. For years the chief communication with the outside world was through CBC Radio Canada. One man who was the host of a morning radio show was also an advocate for world literacy. He had the idea of having the most northerly golf tournament in the world to support his cause and to raise money by having a golf tournament on the Arctic Ice.

After years of talk and organizing, the first tournament took place in Ikaluktutiak (Cambridge Bay). People came from far and wide to take part. A golf club in Edmonton donated clubs and a barrel of balls and the airlines provided transportation for some of the more notable of the participants. Coloured balls, solid ice fare ways, hula hoops for cups and thirty below temperatures made the game a challenge. Wind chill factor drove the temperature to 60 below.

The course was laid out on Cambridge Bay and nine holes were constructed. The CBC carried the game on radio and everyone up there listened as the game was played. Most Inuit never heard of golf but they were close to their radios to hear the news of the game. Much fun was had and records broken, fingers frozen and hot spiced rum drunk. It was decided on the spot that another game would be played in the future. Of the 25 hamlets in Nunavut and 25 in the NWT nearly every one wanted to host the next game.

This was billed as the most northerly game of golf in the world and attracted many visitors. In our hamlet where it all started a movement was begun to build a summer course. A committee began with plans for a 9 hole course to be built on Inuit land between the village and the airport. There was a DEW line radar base there and with pooled resources a course was laid out. The holes were long over rockey slopes and the greens were made of sand. There was a rake at every hole to leave the green nice and flat after play.

The course was called the "Course of Many Pebbles". On opening day a special gift of over a hundred clubs and many ball was received by the same Edmonton Golf Club. Golf became a factor in the life of many Inuit. Since there is 24 hour sunlight in the summer the game was often played throughout the night. Inuit like to gamble and rarely was there a game played without a little wager. I played a few games there and can claim to have had a 400 yard drive downhill with the golf ball hitting many favourite bounces on the rocks. It was fun.

My friends from Pembroke thought I was joking when I took them to see the golf course but they were believers when they surveyed the rocky slopes for themselves. I don't know if the course is still operating but while I was up there I enjoyed golf above the Arctic Circle.

Golf At Royal Tee

On returning to Florida I was excited to get back playing golf with my friends. At this time of the year the group is small as most people come down after the Thanksgiving Holiday at the end of the month. However a small group who live here all year got together every Tuesday and played through the hot summer months.

The first day I returned to the golf club there was only 7 people in our group. We did however get to start our game at 7.2o when the sun just peeked above the horizon. As I played little golf this summer I apologized before hand for my poor play. The opposite was the reality and I had a great first game and actually won the pot of money. Every putt seemed to find the cup and at the end of the game I had the best game I ever played. Many comments were made saying I had taken lessons and so on. All in good fun but as the money was given to me I detected a little bit of humorous banter as everyone there knew I played over my head.

During the game I observed so many birds and water creatures that my fellow players said I was back. I constantly point out different natural wonders like alligators, eagles and egrets. This annoys many as they are there to play golf. After nearly 8 years they are beginning to appreciate the golf course as a habitat of Florida"s wonderful creatures.

The second week I played I was back to my norm and the money was not going to my pocket . This week the guys made fun of my left handed swing and my poor style. On the second hole of the second nine I drove the ball down the center of the fairway but the club head had another idea and made my friends duck as the head became free and glided past them and ended thirty yards out on the small lake. It floated but could not be retrieved at the time. After a few laughs and so on we played with me having to drive with my 3 wood.

Needless to say I did poorly and ended dead last this week. The errant club head ended up on the shore of the lake and was retrieved by my partner. I brought it back to the golf shop where I bought it and he fixed it up and gave me a new grip without cost. Golf is a good game and most people associated with it are OK as well.

Florida Rainstorm

For over a month there has not been a drop of rain. Everyone was complaining about the dry weather. Last night the weather man said we were going to have rain and some wind. We who live here know that a rain storm here is special and when it came last night we were not surprised to hear about heavy rain, high wind and hail. There is a regular wind coming from the gulf laden with moisture mixing with a cold font and the result is rain, rain and more rain.

We really need the water and before this storm is over my pool will be filled and all the trees and garden will be crying out with thanks to mother nature for the clean rain. You can water and water from the well but nice rain from the sky fills the bill. My garden had lept forward and the tomatoes have grown several inches in one day.

People sometimes complain about the weather but in the end we all love nature doing it's job and making sure the trees and plants are being looked after.

Mid Term Elections.

During the last few months we have been bombarded with roadside signs, radio and television adds, visits from politicians and verbal bantering in the name of democracy. Mid term elections are usually a statement about the party in power and how effective their programs are working for the public.

President Obama was swept into power with a huge mandate and backed by Democrats in both the house and senate had the the opportunity to make a difference. Perhaps he did but the perception by the American people was too little and too late. Personally I was a strong supporter of this young president as his leadership would impact Canada in a positive or negative manner. After two years of failed promises due to the worst recession since the thirties, a weak dollar, devastating wars, and an unresponsive mood in Washington, the president was scolded by the people with huge losses at the polls.

The president has two years left in his term and is able to turn things around if he is willing and able to work both sides of the house. America has the resources to return to its place in the world as its leader is well received and viewed as a good person but it must mobilize its industrial power to create jobs and get on track with its goals in health care and social issues.

This last election was fought with negative positions taken by both sides and there was little discussion on the programs for change and solutions to the nations needs. Perhaps this election has given everyone a shock as to where America stands and a desire to rebuild its greatness by working together and becoming the land where most people in the world would like to live.

It is often said that we have to reach the bottom and accept the truth about our situation before we begin to heal and recover. America is in that position now and I look forward to the new energy coming from all the promises made during the past days to power its collective ability and restore America to its rightful place in the sun.

Halloween

Last year we had only one goblin at our door. Last night we ended up with 10 people and the costumes were excellent. Former neighbours and their children came to visit and our visitors stayed for a while.

One little fellow came to see us last year and he was dressed like Harry Potter. He was the lone visitor but this year he returned as Darth Vader. I always give him a toy as well because he lives with his mother and grand mother after the death of his father. He needs a male presence.

Years ago when we were children Halloween was a big deal and people gave apples for their treats. Rarely did you get candy and if you did it was home made fudge or molasses candy. Today box stores dictate the treats and everyone buys these serve sized goodies. It has become the third biggest $ grab for the commercial enterprises.

When we went trick or treating in those days it was for real. Tricking included events which bordered on vandalism when it was carried to extreme. Soaping windows and turning over the odd back house was considered mild but today there is little of this. Schools and community organizations make safe events for the children as there has been fear because of terrible things taking place.

Halloween has been hijacked by organizations ready to cash in on this fun night to make it a fund night.I must be getting grumpy but I see more and more events turning in to fundraisers and it seems every time there is a special occasion someone has their hand out looking for cash. Yesterday as Theresa and I were shopping we stopped at a red light and a biker was there with his helmet asking for money for the March of Dimes. At the cash register we are regularly asked if we would like to give money to a dozen groups.

Schools, churches, service clubs and a variety of organizations appeal for funds which should be budgeted properly.Maybe this is the way of the future but maybe the priorities of government agencies should reflect basic needs instead of spending our taxes on wars and destructive behaviour.

Halloween is still fun for many and I will put away my pumpkin for another year and look forward to seeing more Harry Potters next Halloween.

Golf Theresa's Style

Sunday and a free afternoon with 85 degree temperature and golf at a nearly free price. Our municipal golf course was having a special with golf for two with a cart for forty dollars. That is over half price and after I asked Theresa to get moving and have some fun she agreed. Theresa has not played so far since we came to Florida and I felt it was time. We got a tee time for 1.12 and we were off. We became a twosome & with no one to push us we could have a good time . Theresa was off to a start that would not be good if we had partners, but she improved with every swing.

The only problem with the game was that Theresa saw every bird and animal that crossed our path. After a few holes I became a little concerned and asked her to play golf and leave the flora and animals to another time.. Eagles flew over as I tried to drive the fourth hole and Theresa yelled for me to look, as my ball rolled into the small lake to my left.

She was sorry but right after that she saw a raccoon running to a tree near us and as she gathered her camera I reminded her that there was a couple following who wanted us to keep up.

Theresa took the picture and I became a little frustrated but understood that golf for Theresa was a nature hike. We played for 15 holes and I suggested it was too hot and I was ready to go home. She agreed and we drove down the last fare ways with a happy Theresa with camera in hand taking pics of squirrels, birds and any form of life that moved.

That is golf , Theresa style and I might as well get used to it because it will not change. I only pray that her style will not be played when we have partners who are serious golf players.

Cooling Off

Our weather person has been reading the temperatures every night and there has hardly been a time when record has not been mentioned. For some reason our temperatures have been 5 to 8 degrees above normal. For we who are from up north it is uncomfortable as we are not used to 95 degree weather feeling like 100+. We never complain as we have seen full sun since we arrived and that's why we call this paradise. However our weather person predicts a cold front coming our way and that will mean temperatures in the mid eighties.

For growing the heat is wonderful and our garden had tripled in size in 8 days. Keeping up to the grass cutting and tree trimming is friendly work and a dream come true for those of us who love gardening. At the market today all the fruits and vegetables were prime and talking to the vendors they are very happy with the their gardens. It has been some time since our last hurricane but the frost last year whiped out the tomato and strawberry crop for some with great financial loss.

With all this heat coming our way we never needed to heat the pool but there was no financial gain as we have had our air conditioner on every day. Again no complaints as we swim every day. Locals close up their pool about now and think we are foolish to swim in the wintertime. All the stores a getting ready for Xmas but Halloween comes first and it is a big deal here. Stores devote large sections of their retail space for this day. The economic impact is quite large and the amount of candy sold staggers our imagination. The dentists association are buying candy from the kids and donating it to the armed forces and food banks.

Finally we see the winter clothes filling up the racks in stores and extra warm clothes are sold. We from the north think it strange that you could be cold in this climate. The outside workers pile on the clothes when the temperature goes below 70 degrees and the weather people warn people to bundle up because a cold front is coming and it is cooling off.