Tribute to Ray Warren

Ray Warren

1947 – 2016

Grande Meadows lost a true friend with the passing of Ray Warren on May 17. Besides being a founding member of Grande Meadows Ray was one of the driving forces behind getting a golf course on the Burin Peninsula. He worked behind the scenes for many years promoting the Burin Peninsula as a place that needed a golf course.

Once plans for the funding came in place, Ray was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of Grande Meadows for 3 years from 1994 – 1996. He was very proud of the golf course and promoted it whenever the opportunity came up. He was always ready to volunteer and help out in anyway that he could. For many years he served on the tournament committee and he loved playing in any type of little tournament.

That competitive spirit remained with him from his early days of playing soccer in Burin, through his days playing hockey and curling at the Marystown arena, playing Masters softball in Marystown and throughout his golfing career at Grande Meadows. But even the competitive spirit didn't affect the way he treated people. He was always supportive of others and was there with a smile and congratulations no matter who won.

Ray promoted tournament play at Grande Meadows and as such he would play every event if he was around. It didn't matter if it was stroke play, best ball, mixed alternate stroke or any other format – Ray loved the game of golf and he would play. In the 22 years that Grande Meadows has been opened Ray has probably played in as many tournaments as anybody.

If you were playing a game with Ray on a regular day, he always wanted to play a game whether it was skins, Bingo Bango Bongo, HiLow or something he would make up to make for a little competition. The games were never for a lot of money – maybe enough to buy a nip!

In the past few years in which Ray has battled his illness, it wouldn't be uncommon for Ray to come over to play Men's Night having finished a round of chemotherapy that same day. Often times he would come with Dorothy when he was too ill to play 9 holes but would take a pitching wedge and a putter, walk out on a hole or two and hit a few shots. He just loved the game of golf.

Grande Meadows has lost a true gentleman and the course won't be the same without him. Our heartfelt wishes and condolences go out to his wife Dorothy, children Erica, Heather and Linsey, his grandchildren Daniel and Abigayle as well as his extended family. I'm sure you all have many fond memories of Ray to get you through this difficult time. Rest assured that all the golfers at Grande Meadows have many fond memories of Ray and are very appreciative of his efforts on our behalf throughout the year.

Rest in peace, Raymond.   

Below are a few photos of Ray taken throughout the years. He has that same lovely smile on them all.

2005 Men's Invitational
L to R: Ches Cribb, George Bennett, Wayne Taylor, Ray

2006 Men's Invitational Winners Division B
L to R: Ray, Art Cluett, Hudson Stratton, Roger Marshall

2008 Men's Invitational
L to R: Dave Brenton, Ken Casey, Ray

2009 Men's Finale Best Ball Winners
L to R: Kevin Carvery, Barry Stacey, Albert Pike, Eric Ayers, Ray

2012 B Division Winner Club Championships
Ches Cribb, Jeremy Cribb, Glenn Price, Frank Hodder, Ray

2012 Grande Meadows Bally Haly Challenge
L to R: Charlie Loughlin, Frank Hodder, Barry Stacey, Ray

2012 Grande Meadows Bally Haly Challenge
L to R: Bernie Halloran, Ray, Kelly Potts

2012 Winners Mixed Alternate Shot

L to R: Eric Evans, Heather Drake, Betty Walsh, Ray Walsh, Dorothy Warren, Ray

2013 2 Person Best Ball Winners
L to R: Ray, Dorothy, Betty Walsh, Ray Walsh

2013 4 Person Best Ball
L to R: Ches Cribb, Ray, Barb Cribb, John Cribb

2013 Grande Meadows Bally Haly Challenge
L to R: Peter Coady, Ray

2013 Grande Meadows Bally Haly Challenge Team Photo with Carl Hill of Bally Haly in Front

2013 Men's Night Finale
L to R: Brent Clarke, Ray, Richard Kelly, Glen Price

2013 Winners Division 2 Burin Peninsula Open
L to R: Eric Ayers, Steve Douglas, Dick Hanrahan, Carl Brown, Peter Coady, Ray, Jason Cribb

2013 Winners Men's Night Finale
L to R: Charlie Loughlin, Pius Power, Ray