PORT ALICE—A couple dozen hardy residents paid tribute to the late Don MacLeod last weekend by spending their time as he would have — cavorting at the local golf course.
Braving clear skies, balmy temperatures and the promise of a steak dinner, the players took part in the annual Don MacLeod Memorial Golf Tournament, a scorecard-free — and largely rules-free — version of the game the way "Donny" played it.
"It's full-contact golf," said Gerry Smith, MacLeod's former partner in business, golf, fishing and diving.
This is a form of play that blends golf, miniature golf, and something the Monty Python gang might have dreamed up if they were going to invent a turf sport.
Disrupting playing partners is not only allowed, but encouraged. Troubles on the green? Just line out a couple of clubs to form a chute to the hole.
While players treated the course with respect, the same could not be said for their partners.
"I've had to deal with this the whole game," Scott Smith said after playing partner Dana Johnson jabbed her putter at his ball just as he was putting on the ninth hole.
The turnout was down from some recent years, and MacLeod's widow, Janice MacLeod, was not involved. But Gerry Smith and other club members made sure the tourney, a fund-raiser for the club, continued.
"We all pulled together because he's a guy we all appreciated," Smith said.
Next up at Port Alice Golf & Country Club is the Ladies Open, Aug. 16 beginning at 11:30 a.m.