32 ~ Sunday, June 4, 1995 ~ North Shore News Lifelong course on greenskeeping ERNIE GEORGE has never for- gotten his introduction to golf, By Arv Olson Contributing Writer “T didn’t know a wedge from a putter,” recalls the co-superintendent of Swan-e-sct Bay Resort and Country Club’s two 18 hole courses in Pitt Meadows, “Golf was totally foreign to me. 1 was at the course only fy Golf & Country Club Richmond, B.C. because f had a job there for the sum- mer.” George's first summer job, at age 16, was digging drainage ditches at Seymour Golf and Country Club course in North Vancouver. Also on the construction crew were the high school student's father, Emie George Sr., his brother Dale and two cousins. One day the club's first golf pro- fessional, venerable Ernie Brown, took the shovel from young George and puta golf club in his hands. bin eles June “He showed me how to hold it and the basics of hitting a chip shot,” says the proud nephew of one of the North Shore's most famous citizens, Chief Dan George, "To this day | remember Brown's advice: alter pitching up, replace the divot, repair the ball mark on the green and then think about putting the ball in the hale.” George was so taken with the ele- mentary decorum of golf course preservation, he chose to remain at Seymour and pursue a greenskeeping 8-71, 1995 Watch top international golfers competing for a purse of $125,000! (the largest purse of any Western Canadian Tour event) career, He rose to became Seymour’s course superintendent for 10. years before serving West Vancouver's Gleneagles in the same position from 1985 through 1991, “Lo was) very comfortable at Gleneagles and [ was actually think- ing abut early retirement when pro ‘Tryg Wenn suggested I should apply for the Swan-e-set job," says George. “He joked that it would be neat, an Indian working for an Indian-named course, “After making the short-list for the position, I kind of doubted myself at first, wondering if f could handle 36 holes after a nine-holer (Gleneagles). But deep down | knew [ could do it. “it was a dream job for me. I always wanted to work a course from the ground up, to be part of seeing it take shape and mature, and then look- ing after it. To me a golf course is a living thing that needs special attcn- tion, My wife has often accused me of paying more attention to golf courses than her.” At Seymour, George learned alt about course maintenance working under superintendents Griff Walker, Ted Ingram, Bud Fraser and Jack Farquar, He also attended various tut conferences and seminars. at least twice a year, While establishing himself for J promotion at Seymour, George's See Seymour page 33. ; Confirmed: Craig (The Walrus) Stadler, 11 time winner on the PGA Tour, including the Masters in 1982 and the NEC World Series of Golf in 1982 and 19911 : Plus.:. Teenage sensation, Ted Oh, the youngest player (16) to qualify in the U. 5. Open’s 95 year history (1993)! Tickets available at Ticket Master outlets (280-4444) or through your local golf shop. Daily Passes $10, Weekly Pass $25. PACIFIC 7, OPEN) 1995 IN SUPPORT OF aS i) ul 4 t, British Columbia's = Childrens Hospital . ‘Photo sisbmitted ; A SUMMER Job at the age of 16 digging drainage ditches ‘at Seymour Golf & Country Club gave Ernie George (above) his. first taste of golf course groundskeeping. The nephew of Chief: Dan George hasn’t looked back since. George Is currenily the: co-superintendent of Swan-e-set Bay’s two ¥8-hole courses In Pitt Meadows. The North ‘Shore’ ‘8 Finest | cour PRACTICE AND TEACHING FACILITY - By the Second Narrows Bridge - _ 18 HOLE PAR 72 ° 80 practice stations © innovative target design. FREE short game practice area FREE regulation putting green Fully stocked Pro Shop 9am - 11pm Weekdays 8am - 10pm Weekends By and catering service (604) 898-9521 Meeting Rooms RESTAURANT? rs mae AS ‘ \, smorgasbord Volume Token Books Also Available for Greater Savings 315 SEYMOUR BLVD. N. VANCOUVER | (Enter off Mount ‘Seymour Parkway - Just East of Highway 2 2458 Mamquam, Squamish, B.C. VON 3G0 The Friendliest Most Economical Golf in the Valley