Golf has its own Saskatchewan Hall of Fame that features over 50 inductees and a few teams, but the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (SSHOF) has honoured several prominent golfers as well.
Established in 1996, the SSHOF was developed to honour outstanding athletes, championship teams, builders of sport in the province and to archive the history of Saskatchewan sports. The inaugural class consisted of six individuals; Cal Bricker; Ethel Catherwood; Dr. George Genereux; Al Ritchie; James Trifunov; and Dorothy Walton. Although none of the distinguished members of the first class were honoured for golf prowess, as of today there are 10 individual golf standouts enshrined as well as two teams. SSHOF Communications Coordinator, Autumn McDowell said the inductees are recognizable to provincial golf fans and historians.
“Not only are these inductees’ incredible athletes but they have also done so much to grow the game of golf in the province. Golf Saskatchewan members will certainly recognize Joanne Goulet, the namesake for the Goulet Golf Course in Regina. The golf category also contains our only visually impaired inductee, Phil Lederhouse,” McDowell explained to Golf Saskatchewan.
Other golf inductees include Barbara (Stone) Turnbull; Geraldine (Evans) Street; James “Jim” Scissons; Tom Ross; Keith Rever; Dr. Robert Reid; Dr. John “Jack” Leddy; and Pat Fletcher. The two teams inducted are the 1992 Saskatchewan Senior Men’s Team (Fred Clark, Ray Marsh, Ron Corrins, Ron Whiteside) and the 1964 Saskatchewan Willingdon Cup Team (Alec Bland (the non-playing captain), Ernie Greenley, Ed Ross, Keith Rever, and Jim Scissons). More details can be found on all the inductees on the SSHOF website.
Former Lobstick winner Gordie Howe is also a member of the Hall. “Mr. Hockey” is clearly enshrined for his illustrious hockey career, but McDowell says the Floral, Sask. product, although the most well-known inductee is among over 500 well deserving recipients.
“Gordie Howe is probably our most famous inductee to the general public. However, there are very popular inductees in each sport, even superstars in each sport, but they just might not be as well known to the general public,” she said.
Members of the public are encouraged to nominate anyone they feel is worthy of induction. Nominations close annually on Oct. 31.
McDowell said golf enthusiasts will find a pair of displays interesting aside from the inductees themselves and their stories. The Hall has a 1910 golf bag (pictured below) used by R.H. Williams at the Wascana Country Club and the organization possesses a set of clubs (pictured above) that once belonged to Saskatchewan’s first Premier, Thomas Walter Scott.
Another popular exhibit currently displayed (pictured below) according to McDowell is, “Diamond Girls’ Diamond Anniversary: 75 Years of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. “In 2018 the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) celebrated their 75th anniversary. Over its eleven years of operation more than 600 women played professionally for the first time. Of those 600, 10 per cent were from Canada and 40 per cent were from Saskatchewan.
Golf Saskatchewan members receive free entry into the Hall at 2205 Victoria Ave. in Regina. The facility also includes a multi-sport simulator with an extensive golf feature. The Hall has clubs to use or attendees can bring their own.
The SSHOF is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Hours are extended during the third Thursday of every month.
Tours are also available by calling 306.780.9232.