From the Bunkers: Memories are sweet

This being Memorial Day weekend, I would like to share some of my memories of the Houlton Community Golf Course — the first time was in 1939 as a caddy. My first carry was for a tough former football tackle for Penn State named Kaufman. Doc was a veterinarian. After the round, he asked me if I were a Class A or Class B caddy. Class A received 35 cents for 18 holes and Class B, 25 cents. He then handed me a quarter.
    In 1946, Lester Baker owned the course and opened it after the war time had caused it to be used as a sheep farm. I worked on the course mowing fairways and greens. The old tractor is gone. No watering system and we had to haul big barrels to the greens and water with pails. They were not very good putting surfaces.
Some names come to mind, include the first players I enjoyed rounds with were Med Cotton and Clint Dill. We played early Sunday morning as Clint had to get up before his wife was awake and leave quietly as she did not approve of his Sunday game.
The longest lasting foursome of which I was a part of was Frantk Totman, Gene Gormley and Ira Tarbell.  Fred Sylvester, the course wit, nicknamed us Ferocious Frank, Genial Gene, Irascible Ira and Delightful Dewey.
Joe McKay and Albert Putnam also were a sometimes game. Joe was very helpful in refining my swing. His swing was a classic. Albert was one of the most gentlemanly players I ever met. I never saw him upset or show an ill temper after a missed shot.
So many other players of that era were just learning golf.  Doc Virgie was very strong and took a vicious cut at the ball to see if he could out drive Bob Burton; Dick Michelson, high school basketball coach, who loved to gamble on the golf course; Ted Boynton parked his van and lived on the course all summer; Red Barry, Bangor High School coaching legend, was one of the first managers as he and wife Maxine spent one summer living in the small quarters in the clubhouse and Hal Irons, who was a great athlete and all-state fullback in West Haven, Conn. and a fine first baseman in the Yankee farm system. I met Hal in Florida and recommended him to Gene Gormley, club president, and Gene hired him for two seasons. So many other names come to mind, including Marty Hay, Carl Clough, Scott Savell, Francis Pierce, Chet Hogan, Bob Goodwin, Gerry Ellis, Saul Green, Jim Donovan, Lester Thompson, Ken Paradis and Tommy Brown.
I am sure every one of you golfers have some great memories of the Houlton Community Golf Course. My most recent one occurred last Thursday when I was soundly beaten by Bob Anderson. Beware Bob, it’s a long summer.
Men’s Twilight League play starts next week. Pam Mailman reports that 33 ladies enjoyed the opening banquet on May 24.
The ladies this year will have a Twilight League, and each week on Tuesday starting at 4 p.m., will be the Play of the Day with new opponents each week. Any ladies who have not signed up may do so by calling the club at 532-2662.
The Memorial Day gathering at the club to honor the memory of Babe Caron was extremely well attended. It was tastefully handled by Nancy and Babe’s family. Babe would have been proud.