1st Annual Alumni Golf Tournament
Oak Island, Manitoba — Brandon’s Rod Klassen captured the 1st Annual Brandon Wheat Kigns’ Alumni Golf Tournament Thursday at Oak Island Golf.
Klassen shot an even par 72 to edge Brandon’s Shawn Baker by two strokes. For winning the event, Klassen took home a $250 watch from McCallum Jewellers.
The event, which was held to raise money for the hockey club’s Education Fund, attracted close to one hundred golfers including a number of current and former Wheat Kings.
As well, the Alumni Association recognized two of the more pivotal builders in franchise history during Thursday night’s Banquet – Bob Cornell and Glen Lawson.
A supporter of the Wheat Kings for nearly five decades, Lawson is a former player, coach, governor and general manager of the hockey club. In fact, he was the first ever GM of the Wheat Kings when they joined the Western Canada Hockey League in 1967.
Lawson’s son Jeff is also a former Wheat King and served as the first ever President of the Alumni Association.
Having served as an owner of the franchise for close to thirty years, Cornell’s name is synonymous with the Wheat Kings. He first became a member of the hockey club’s ownership group in the 1970′s and was instrumental in striking an agreement with the Keystone Centre in 1986 which saved the franchise from being relocated.
Under his ownership, the Wheat Kings won two WHL Championships in 1979 and 1996 and advanced to three Memorial Cups – in 1979, ’95 and ’96.
Two years ago, he was named winner of the WHL Governors Award, which is presented annually to individuals, who through their outstanding service to the League and achievements in the game, have contributed to the growth and development of the WHL.
Making the presentations to Glen and Bob Thursday night were current Alumni President Ken Schneider and Wheat Kings’ general manager and head coach Kelly McCrimmon.
The Alumni Association would like to recognize both men for their outstanding contributions to major junior hockey in western Manitoba as well as thanking the many sponsors and golfers and management of Oak Island Golf for helping to make this year’s event a tremendous success.
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