Organized 1960
The Golf Unit is not really old as Units go, but it is full of so many memories for us all.
The beginning was 1958 when several Shriners were playing golf weekly, nothing much developed except talk until April 1959.
The Alzafar Mounted Sons of the Desert were discussing a way to promote Shrinedom and perhaps make a little money a golf tournament was suggested - now don't ask the connection between horses and golf there must be some. A tournament was played and it really wasn't a raving success but did provide the beginning of our unit.
In May 1959 a meeting was held at the temple-purpose to form a golf activity-this writer was elected chairman - 38 were in attendance with our past Recorder Frank Whitney keeping notes and the meeting in order.
The first tournament was held Friday (not Thursday as we have now) May 15th, 1959 with 52 players at Willow Springs-the winner - Jack Holt with a gross 74 minus 1 handicap. This tournament was so successful that we requested permission from Potentate Henry Eitt to bold monthly tournaments.
All that has occurred to this point perhaps came as a direct result of conversation during rounds of golf with Marvin Morgan and an ardent golfer of many, many years an uncle Pat Patton who is a Master Mason. There is no doubt in my mind however that the most important single item AND IN ALL PROBABILITY THE REAL BEGINNING OF THE GOLF UNIT WAS THE CROSLEY "CAD-I-LAC" owned by Ed Goldbeck of MSOD (this is currently owned by Dewey Meeks and Harold Kohr), by the next ceremonial we had three Crosleys and by the Fiesta Flambeau we had four. This Crosley gave us our final completion of a requirement to be a unit - a vehicle to parade in-this little car made us different from the various golf clubs.
The Uniform came somewhat by accident, Marvin Morgan showed up with red pants and yellow shirt and they have stuck, the cap and design are ideas of Joyce-it was first red, then white, beige and finally green.
After the tournament in May the rest just seemed to fall in place-things moved so well a letter was sent to Potentate Eitt requesting permission for the Alzafar Golf Club to be considered for unit status. The November stated meeting in 1959 was the big event - Oriental Guide Barney Norris read the letter, Asst. Rabban Woody Woodman made the motion and it carried ... the Golf unit was formed.. . now the work began.
The 1960 year was devoted mainly to organization-the Circus the first produced by Alzafar Temple proved to be a real boon for us. The golf unit took over the Production of the circus and it served to really mound the unit. With the formation of an official unit the set of by-laws were drown with service and work for the Temple and work in the Circus and selling Circus advertising clearly outlined-thus from the first circus to this one in 1966 the Golf Unit has led in Circus advertising sales. The Golf Unit from its inception was hard to get in and even harder to remain in-it is believed this is necessary.
A most important factor in any unit has not been mentioned to this pointthe ladies the formation of the "GOLF WIDOWS" filled this important position. Our ladies attend all our out of town functions and play a most vital and important part of our social life of the unit.
There are so many high lites in the Golf Unit - each has his own - the first All-State in Austin in 1960 - all of the out of town tournaments - these are designed to promote Shrinedom to the fartherest points of Alzafar - the many trips to Harlingen have really been wonderful times and the hospitality that has been shown by the Valley boys -the same applies to Corpus Christi, Del Rio, Kerrville, Eagle Pass, New Braunfels, Seguin, Uvalde as well as to those trips out of the jurisdiction of Alzafar, Austin, Weimer, Houston, San Marcos, Dallas, Ft. Worth and who can ever forget the memorable trip to Monterrey and the hospitality provided and the work and planning of Alex & Ophelia Trevino.
There are so many to be thankful to - all the Potentates from Henry Eitt, Harvey McDonald, Woody Woodman, Geo. Henry, Barney Norris, Jack Lee, Bob O'Connor, and Jeff Ashcraft they could not have been more helpful and considerate to us.
The Presidents of the Golf Unit (this writer excepted) have given of their time and energy, their ladies have all contributed so much to the unit. We do not know of one single officer, director or member of the Golf Unit that has ever given any less than his entire self for the unit . . . never in one short article could the history of the unit be told - in fact it sounds more like fiction - but is fact.
In closing - never have so few owed so much to so many, it would not be possible to give each of you the praise that is due you. I am indeed humble and proud beyond words that it was my pleasure to serve as your first president and have the delightful little chore of refreshing your memories with what I hope are pleasant memories.
NEAL
