 | Grande Meadows Golf Course lost another friend and supporter recently with the passing of George Bennett of Grand Bank. George was a founding member of Grande Meadows and played golf for many years until his health wouldn’t allow him to participate. George loved Grand Bank and was always there to lend a hand to promote anything within the town. On the recreation level he was involved with both fastpitch and slowpitch softball and was a valued member of the Grand Bank Kinsmen Club as well as a town councillor with the town of Grand Bank. George was also a volunteer with the Grand Bank Summer Festival Committee. George wasn’t just happy coming to the course and playing golf which he did regularly for many years. He took part in many of the club tournaments held there including playing in 3 of the Annual Invitationals. But George’s greatest contribution to Grande Meadows was as a volunteer. He was on the Board of Directors at Grande Meadows for 5 years from 2000 – 2004 inclusive. He also volunteered regularly on the Tournament Committee and would be there all weekend helping out in any way he could. If you needed a starter George would be there, if you needed a scorer George was there – wherever he was needed, he would help out. One thing you knew for sure is that if George Bennett agreed to help out he would be there from beginning to end. I first met George many years before Grande Meadows opened while we were both involved in softball and hockey. Over the years we stayed friends and George was always ready for a chat no matter where you met him. He had a great sense of humour and could always be counted on for some great memories of our hockey and softball exploits. George’s great sense of humour was brought to the forefront one day during the Annual Invitational Golf Tournament when George was serving as the starter for the day. On the first tee Edgar Hill of Bally Haly offered George a piece of the giant chocolate bar he had brought with him. George refused as he was trying to lose some weight. However, Edgar insisted by saying to George, “Have a piece b’y. I used to be big too but I can eat it!” George got a good laugh at that one as Edgar was as big as George, just not as tall! I am sure George has already met up with Clayton Dolimount, Wally Stone, Wilf Miller and Clayton Welsh to put together a best ball team for a game up yonder against the boys from Burin and Marystown. Our sincere condolences go out to George’s wife Mary, his daughters Ramona and Christine, his grandchildren as well as his extended family and friends. Rest in peace George! |
This photo was taken on the wharf in Grand Bank during the 2014 Summer Festival. L to R: Sandy Peach, Glenn Price, Carl Brown, George, Ben Grandy.
