EHS-WFS Alumni Cup Challenge 2009: Moments to Remember
by Woody Coley '73
As this event moves into its second decade, the beauty of time shaping traditions is quite evident. With golf as the venue of enjoying an annual opportunity to compete for bragging rights, we are all learning that so much more occurs during these two days.
This year’s event began with a lovely al fresco dinner at the home of Charlton and Ann Desaussure. The Episcopal team arrived wearing “swine flu masks” to once again set the stage for healthy banter about our competition. Then, the reunion of old and new friends removed any sense of who played for which team. I sat at a table with Board Members from both schools who spoke openly about the challenges we face in this economy. Virtually no table was occupied by graduates of only one School.
Morning came, as did the ritual of breakfast, a last minute attempt to find a swing thought or putting stroke, and then Dr. Robert Wilson, Episcopal Class of ’54, surprisingly appeared in a golf cart, rigged with an Episcopal Flag of gigantic proportions. The site of his leading a cavalcade of carts out to the shotgun start, with the flag blowing as others must have flown during more significant battles in our past, was a captivating moment to absorb. Here is a man, who now is part of three generations of Episcopal graduates, recovering from shoulder surgery, but caught up in the thrill of this competition.
The day’s rounds would deliver glory to a few, mediocrity to most of
us, but as the sun set, and the 60 attendees gathered, conversations
quickly left the golf and moved to other subjects. We learned that an
Episcopal parent/player, Maybank Hagood, had been the father of the
young Woodberry quarterback that had led his team to victory earlier in
the fall. Bailey Patrick, Episcopal Class of ’53, gave a rousing
expression of his passion for the School, reflecting on his experience,
and now two additional generations of family attendees, including his
son and Board Member, Bailey Patrick (Class of ’79).
Rob Hershey shared that the current recipient of the Episcopal scholarship had become the best friend of our Captain Jim Hardison’s son (Class of ’75). Laughter erupted when Bill Baker (Class of ’77) recanted the year when his bravado was repressed by his look-a-like, Fletcher Gregory. Again, each table was peppered with graduates from both Schools, who took pleasure in hearing of the progress of their children and similar stages in their lives.
As we neared the end of the competition, our foursome, John Nash, WFS class of ’72; Joe Kluttz, WFS class of ’69; Dave Clarke, Episcopal Class of ’70; and I stood on the ninth tee box. Joe shared the story of how earlier in the year, he had been given a box of George Covington’s ashes (Class of ’71) by George’s wife, Claudia. They were spread on that tee box, overlooking the marsh. Once again, proof that the event has much more importance than just golf. David Carr would ultimately be the first recipient of an award named in George’s honor, as a tribute to his love of competition, and camaraderie.
The event could not conclude without some drama, and this year’s event was no exception. Episcopal had begun the day well behind the Tigers at 19-11. They would ultimately close the gap to a near victory, losing by only 1 point in an event where 60 points can be won. As many may tend to do, I spent too much time pursuing one or two moments of aging athletic heroism, when in fact, the moments to be remembered are far removed from golf. Another meaningful tradition is being established and each year, friendships are deepened, moments to remember created, and not to be forgotten, two worthy students are provided scholarships to each School. God bless the High School.