‘Pair of Jacks’ back as they heat up at tourney

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This article was published 19/08/2019 (2389 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Jack Benstead is slowly spreading word of the Tamarack in Florida, and people are listening.

Last year the former Brandonite, who moved south near Orlando 10 years ago when he retired, brought Jack Smith up for the nine-day golf tournament at Clear Lake Golf Course. This time he brought Smith’s brother Kirby as well, and rounded out their foursome for qualifying with Brandon’s Rick Eamer, who recently retired and winters in Florida.

Benstead had been playing in the event for nearly a decade before moving and do everything he can to make sure he doesn’t miss it — and neither will Jack Smith now.

“We started coming up here and last year we were riding together most of the time. Everybody started referring to us as the ‘Pair of Jacks,’” Benstead said ahead of his second men’s qualifying round on Sunday.

“It’s the greatest place to go, it’s almost like a school reunion. I know all these guys and they have families, kids and grandkids. I can come up here and they’re here.”

Benstead and Eamer are longtime friends — Eamer stood up in Benstead’s wedding about 40 years ago — and spend the winters close to each other again as Benstead sold Eamer a mobile home at the park he bought when he retired.

The four men are all part of a Sunday golf group down south, though they may never have connected if they only stuck to one sport. Benstead had 10-pin bowled for years and decided to join a team. Jack Smith was his opponent one night.

“Because his name is Jack and my name is (too), we kind of hit it off. I asked if they played golf and he said they played golf all the time,” Benstead said, adding Smith invited him right away. “We got this group called the ‘Hackers’ and we play every Sunday down there.”

So Benstead started mentioning the Tamarack and the guys wanted to learn more. The format of the event and all the entertainment in between rounds peaked their interest, and he jokes the toughest part was convincing them to take on the colder temperatures of Manitoba.

This is Kirby’s first time every in Canada. His initial thoughts?

“Beautiful golf course, beautiful country, cold,” he said. “Other than that, it’s perfect.”

Benstead translated.

“Kirby’s liking it so much, it’s amazing,” he said. “They say it backwards, they say ‘This sucks, this weather sucks.’ But really they mean it’s gorgeous, it’s beautiful.”

That’s more like it, Jack Smith says. He had no problem wearing a hoodie for a few hours before his afternoon round in contrast to the current temperatures back home. It’s over 30 C with about 70 per cent humidity day-in and day-out.

“It’s just nasty right now, probably 93 there now with 98 per cent humidity. It’s nasty, wet, you’re in your third shirt by now, and what is it? Noon?” he said.

The numbers on their scorecards certainly aren’t their main concerns this week. Kirby Smith (90-90, 180) was even in his two rounds, but the others all improved, led by Jack Smith (89-88, 177), Benstead (103-83, 186) and Eamer (100-89, 189).

They might not be in the same group again this week, but that just means more opportunities to meet new people.

“Sports, as long as you’re willing to do it and come out here have the right attitude about it, it doesn’t matter how you play it’s just who you hang out with. It’s the fellowship for me,” Kirby said.

Added Benstead: “They’re just awesome guys, salt of the earth. They accepted me into their country, they’re amazing. I know all their families, it’s great.”

• • •

George Panaiotou blew the senior men’s field away in the single-round qualifier on Friday. He started 3 over after two holes, then made three birdies over the next 15 to shoot a 1-over 73 and take the medal by eight strokes.

Panaiotou also finished three shots better than anyone in the champion men’s qualifying round that day.

Ron Cornell, Dwight Kearns and Ken Stadnek all open today’s second round knotted up at 76, with defending champion Keith Fawcett two strokes behind them.

• • •

The women’s scramble is quickly gaining popularity, and has 24 teams of two set to qualify for one of the eight championship flight spots today. The field includes defending champions Margo Goodhand and Colleen Sinclair, and has six times as many players as the women’s singles’ event.

The eight women in that field will play for seeding, then square off to determine a new champion as seven-time winner Kaitlin Troop is not back.

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