Record number of golfers for Walter Perry Emancipation Golf Classic

Golfers gather before heading out on the course for the Walter Perry Emancipation Golf Classic August 9 at Coachwood Golf Club in McGregor.

It was a light-hearted atmosphere early Saturday morning as the Amherstburg Freedom Museum hosted its annual Walter Perry Emancipation Golf Classic.

Held at the Coachwood Golf and Country Club in McGregor, the event saw a record number of golfers.

“We are celebrating 50 years of black history. We appreciate the support. We sold the course out with a record number,” said Monty Logan, chair of the museum’s board of directors and organizer of the tournament.

In all there were 144 golfers who teed off at 8 a.m. Besides several men’s divisions, Logan reported that there were five women’s and four mixed groups.

“Remember, we are doing this for the money. There are lots of prizes,” said Logan as he addressed the golfers prior to tee-off.

Closest to the pin, longest drives, putting contests and a 50/50 draw were all part of the ways to raise funds for the museum.

The tournament is now in its ninth year and for the past two classics, Jeff Turner and Will Switalski have been part of the winning foursome. Once again there was an interesting way to determine tie- breakers at the end of the day.

Each four-some were given a bag with not only their scorecard but a piece of string and box cutter. They could use the string to measure distances to the hole and cut it off accordingly. The team that had the most string left, won.

“I need you to have fun. We have 144 golfers. Staying on the course for eight hours is not fun,” joked Logan. “We are going to have fun and some laughs.”

As the Amherstburg Freedom Museum celebrates its 50^th anniversary, a big celebration is planned for Sept. 20 at the Caboto Club. Bishop Paul S. Morton is the keynote speaker.

And as always, there is a lot to see at the local museum.

“We are looking forward to that,” said curator Mary-Katherine Whelan, of the 50^th celebration. “We have a temporary exhibit on the second floor of the museum of photos that highlights the 50 years.”

The museum is located at 277 King St. in Amherstburg and is open Tuesday-Friday, 12-5 p.m and Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. For more information, call 519-736-5433 or visit www.amherstburgfreedom.org.

Record number of golfers for Walter Perry Emancipation Golf Classic

By Fred Groves