Tribute to Tom Curran

Grande Meadows Golf Course and the Annual Grande Meadows Men's Invitational lost a great friend on Monday with the passing of Tom Curran of St. John's who was a member of Bally Haly Golf Course.

Tom was a great sportsman who loved coming to Grande Meadows to spend the weekend with his buddies and to play some golf as well. He loved cooking for the guys whether it be their steaks at the barbecue of lobsters back at the cabin. He always did things with a smile on his face.

Tom attended the Grande Meadows Annual Men's Invitational for the first time with his Bally Haly buddies in 2003 and he came every year until 2014. He participated in 11 of those 12 years missing in 2010 because of stitches to his hand resulting from a dispute with a lobster on Friday night before the tournament's first round. He didn't feel well enough to participate in 2015 and he was missed by his many friends from Grande Meadows.

Tom was great to play golf with and made you feel at ease in his foursome. He was very encouraging to the golfers he played with and was just as happy if one of the other golfers made a birdie as if he himself made it. He was always there to participate in skins or any competition around the tournament.

He was just a treat to have around the clubhouse for that weekend in June each year. His sportsmanship was second to none and his respect for all the players and the clubhouse staff was exemplary.

Tom loved sitting around listening to Bernie Halloran, Art Cluett and others playing their guitars and singing their songs. He loved hanging out with the boys and spinning yarns about their various escapades on and off the golf course.

He was especially fond of his buddies Carl Hill, Wayne Gray and Dave Wall who would many times be the victim in Tom's stories. Every Saturday at the Invitational Tom made sure the boys steaks were cooked to order and were ready for them once they finished their round. He always looked out for those guys and made sure they were enjoying themselves.

Tom came to love the Grande Meadows Men's Invitational and had many stories to tell related to his many years participating. In 2011 Tom made par on the 18^th hole on Sunday to defeat defending champion Don Boland by 1 stroke to win the Championship and carry on the Bally Haly tradition of winning the Grande Meadows Invitational. There wasn't a more deserving winner to our tournament and he was joined by many of his friends on the 18^th green to offer their congratulations.

Tom will be missed by the members of Bally Haly Golf Course and fondly remembered by his many friends at Grande Meadows.

Condolences to his sons Mike who was greenskeeper at Grande Meadows in 1996 and Ian and all of Tom's family and friends. Rest assured for so humble a man he left an indelible mark on many people all around this province. The world is a better place today because of Tom Curran.

Rest in Peace Tom.

Below are a few photos of Tom in his trips to Grande Meadows.

2011 Tom Wins Grande Meadows Invitational

Final Group – L to R: Perry Stone, Tom, Don Boland, Joe Drake

"Final