Last-ever Seagram-Diageo golf tournament brings staff together

Barry Pritz, Howard Fox and Doug Benekritis prepare to tee off at the Seagream/Diageo golf tournament Aug. 1.Barry Pritz, Howard Fox and Doug Benekritis prepare to tee off at the Seagream/Diageo golf tournament Aug. 1.

Employees from different eras of the former Diageo plant gathered on the weekend for their final golf tournament.

The Seagram/Diageo golf tournament was held over the weekend at Dominion Golf Course in LaSalle with 46 people signed up. Doug Benekritis said organizers are pleased with the turnout with Benekritis stating it was put on by the union though local management staff were able to participate as well.

“The tournament came together well,” he said. “Kevin (McCaffrey) was a huge help in getting prizes.”

The golf tournament dates back to 1985 and has been used as a way to let employees get together on the Civic Holiday weekend to relax and have a good time with one another. It has involved employees from when the plant was known as Calvert’s. 

Previous years have seen over 70 people hit the links but Benekritis said he was pleased with this year’s tournament. Since the plant closed at the end of February, some have moved on and don’t have the same availability on the Civic Holiday weekend.

McCaffrey said they received strong support from local businesses with prizes. He said other staff members were scheduled to come out after the tournament to visit with one another.

“It’s just for the people,” Benekritis said of the tournament. “It’s a thank you to everyone who worked at Seagram or Diageo. Everyone who worked there was invited to come.”

Diageo staff gathered at Dominion Golf Course after the tournament. Photo by Kevin McCaffrey.

Sponsors and supporters included Ron Deneau, Arms Bumanlag and Debbie Nedin from Bob Pedler Real Estate, John D’Alimonte and Kim Wheeler from Remax, Mark Beaudoin from Plumbing Now, D.J. Lacey from Unifor, Garset Gayle from Diageo, Josh Reit from Hiram Walker, Chuck Kelly from Movati, Keith Waters from Wigle Hardware, Ryan Deslippe, Kathy Deslippe, Mike Purdie Sr., Unifor Locals 444 and 2458, Unifor National Skilled Trades Council, Jen Grantmire, Mary-Ellen Tiefenbach, Wes Thrasher from Reaume Chev Olds, Matt Vermett from the Dive Shop in Kingsville, Laurie Bezare, Sierra Johnston from Scentsy, Carlee, Melinda and Nolan Troung, Sutton Creek Golf Course, Mary Lippert, Shooters, Kevin and Cory McCaffrey and Danielle Goodchild.

Last-ever Seagram-Diageo golf tournament brings staff together

By Ron Giofu