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A Modern Indust ry
1950s
The Industry was
booming. Major
discoveries occurred
across all four western
provinces: Pouce Coupe
in B.C., Bonnie Glen,
Pembina, Swan Hills
and Judy Creek in
Alberta, Fosterton and
Smiley in Saskatchewan,
and Virden in Manitoba.
Pipelines developed
expanding markets for
oil and gas – Inter-
provincial, Trans
Mountain, Trans-
Canada, etc. The CPA
and NEB were formed.
The industry was
becoming big time.
Canada was also
growing. Population
passed 14 million. The
era of the diplomat
Louis St. Laurent passed
on to the populist times
of John Diefenbaker.
World leadership
included Eisenhower,
Plante, Brown and
Hornung, Mantle and
Mays, Russell, Trabert
and Gibson, and Sugar
Ray Robinson. The
lasting image is that of
a young Brazilian,
simply called Pele,
setting a new standard
in the world's most
popular sport.
The Oilmen's was
created and quickly
evolved into its enduring
format of invitational
golf in the mountains
over four days. There
were 12 flighted
competitions. All of
it was enhanced by
great food, headliner
entertainment and
supplemental activities.
Senior executives from
Canada, the U.S.A.
and abroad enjoyed
fun times and created
life long friendships.
A tradition was born.
Khrushchev, Eden, and
de Gaulle. Television,
Rock and Roll, and Fast
Food all emerged.
Perhaps the enduring
image of the decade was
a spiked ball high in
space call Sputnik.
In Entertainment, the
big movies included
African Queen, Bridge
On the River Kwai and
Ben Hur. Broadway saw
hits like The King and I
and South Pacific. Music
stars ranged from
Sinatra and Anka to
Elvis. Television was new
as we watched Ed
Sullivan, Gunsmoke and
fell in love with Lucy.
In Sports, golf's image
was the white cap of Ben
Hogan. Teams of the
decade were the
traditional New York
Yankees and Montreal
Canadiens. Stars were
names like Howe and
i s Created
2322
oilmen’s tournam
ent
FLIGHT WINNER
R.K. Alexander redwater
W.G.H. Robinson leduc
L.E. Miller stettler
M.P. Paulson turner valley
A.D. Minor fosterton
N.S. Edgar golden spike
D.K. Seaman bonnie glen
A.W. Thompson lloydminster
G.R. Schoonmaker camrose
A.E. Keller jumping pound
The basic idea of holding an Alberta oil industry golf
tournament originated during lunch at the old Calgary
Petroleum Club early in 1951. The four dedicated golfers
present at this now famous luncheon found enthusiastic
support for the idea among their friends and the first Board
of Governors was put together to make definitive
arrangements. The Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary was
obtained for a two-day event and the First Annual Oilmen's
Golf Tournament was played on August 9th and 10th, 1951.
Stringent entrance requirements, which involved applications,
on a first come - first served basis and a $7.50 entry fee,
resulted in a field of 160 players. The rugged competitors
were scheduled to play two 18-hole rounds each day but
darkness on the second day required shortening the final
round to nine holes for all but the championship flight. In the
beginning there were ten flights, named after the oilfields of
Alberta, generally in the order of their size or discovery dates,
and they still bear the same names 50 years later.
The first Oilmen's was such a resounding success it was
decided to try again in 1952 on an expanded basis.
chairman Kendall Hertco-chairman Arvil Minor / Russ Schoonmaker
oIL INdusTRy EvENTs
Wizard Lake and Bonnie Glen discovered
Alberta introduces sliding scale royalty system
Construction begins on sulphur extraction
plant at Jumping Pound
Government approves construction of Trans
Mountain Pipeline
Alberta announces new regulations to
encourage Athabasca oil sands development
Canadian Oil Scouts Association formed
EARL GREy G
oLF AN
d Cou
NTRy CLu
B
1st
GovERNoRs
R.L. Binning
J. S. Poyen
G.E. Dunlap
R.W. Brinkerhoff
W.H. Hohag
Arvil Minor
W.E. Powell
C.U. Daniels
J.K. Hert
R.H.C. Harrison
C.O. Nickle
W.D.C. Mackenzie
R.B. Curran
C.F. Schock
D.J. Griffin
T.A. Link
J.O. Mayberry
G.R. Schoonmaker
M.A. Columbus
dId you kNoW?
Folklore is strong and memories fade, so some stories
defy verification. The legend of the ten flights being
named after the major discoveries at the 1st Oilmen's,
rather than retroactively at the 2nd Oilmen's is
suspicious since Bonnie Glen and Fosterton were
discovered in the intervening period. Maybe Oilmen are
just great forecasters (or secret keepers).
spoRT EvENTs
Sugar Ray Robinson wins middle weight championship, 1st of 5 times
Betsy Rawls wins first of her four US Open Golf Championships
Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays start with New York Yankees and Giants, respectively
spoRT CHAMpIoNs
mlb New York Yankees
nfl Los Angeles Rams
nhl Toronto Maple Leafs
nba Rochester Royals
cfl Ottawa Rough Riders
GoLF CHAMpIoNs
masters Ben Hogan
us open Ben Hogan
british open Max Faulkner
pga Sam Snead
cdn. open Jim Ferrier
WoRLd EvENTs
Korean war peace negotiations begin
Rosenbergs convicted as atomic secret spies
Burgess and MacLean flee Britain for Soviet Union as spies
Winston Churchill again elected as British Prime Minister
CANAdIAN EvENTs
Canada's population passes 14 million
Canada's inflation rate exceeds 10% for one year, being low for 20+ years before and after
ENTERTAINMENT EvENTs
Oscars: An American in Paris; Humphrey Bogart - African Queen; Vivien Leigh - Streetcar Named Desire
TV: Studio One; Red Skelton; Roy Rogers
Music: On Top of Old Smoky; Unforgettable
Broadway: Guys and Dolls; Rose Tattoo
FIRsTs ANd FAds
UNIVAC, first commercial use computer becomes available
US coast-to-coast direct dial telephoning and television
broadcasting begins
New words: hype; moonlight
Discoveries continue at Acheson, Bonnie Glen,
Wizard Lake, etc.
Nuclear BomB TesTiNg
by the US begins in the
Nevada desert.
i love lucy starring
Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance
is a hit on TV.
BeN HogaN wins US Open
for second year running, a
remarkable feat after the near
fatal car accident in 1949.
19 51
2524
spoRT EvENTs
Helsinki Summer Olympics: Czech Emil Zatopec wins 5000 m, 10,000m and Marathon
Oslo Winter Olympics: Dick Buttons wins men's figure skating 2nd time
Billy Walsh of Manitoba wins 1st of his two curling Briars
spoRT CHAMpIoNs
mlb New York Yankees
nfl Detroit Lions
nhl Detroit Red Wings
nba Minneapolis Lakers
cfl Toronto Argonauts
GoLF CHAMpIoNs masters Sam Snead
us open Julius Boros
british open Bobby Locke
pga James Turnesa
cdn. open John Palmer
WoRLd EvENTs
US 1st hydrogen bomb exploded
Nasser deposes Farouk in Egypt
Batista seizes power in Cuba
King Hussein takes throne in Jordan
Evita Peron dies in Argentina
CANAdIAN EvENTs
Vincent Massey becomes first Canadian born Governor General
Canada's first television broadcasts
Partial meltdown of nuclear reactor core at Chalk River - 1st incident ever
W.A.C. Bennett becomes Premier of B.C.
ENTERTAINMENT EvENTs
Oscars: The Greatest Show on Earth; Gary Cooper - High Noon; Shirley Booth - Come Back Little Sheeba
TV: Dragnet; Ozzie and Harriet; Hockey Night in Canada
Music: Your Cheatin' Heart
Broadway: Agatha Christie's Mousetrap opens; Broadway Tony to King and I
Books: Dairy of Anne Frank and Power of Positive Thinking
FIRsTs ANd FAds
First commercial jet planes - DeHavilland Comet
Panoramic movies introduced
New word: joint
DwigHT
eiseNHower
is elected
President of the
United States.
maD magaziNe
launches first issue.
caNaDa wiNs Olympic
Hockey Gold for last time in
the 20th Century.
oilmen’s tournam
ent
FLIGHT WINNERs
R.K. Alexander redwater
D.J. Griffin leduc
V.B. Baer stettler
H.R. Glover turner valley
N.S. Edgar fosterton
P.E. Trent golden spike
W.E. Powell bonnie glen
D.O. Hunter lloydminster
O. Beasley camrose
M.G. Harrison jumping pound
E.H. LaBorde fort st. john
G.E. Longphee armena
The Governors decided to shift the site of the 2nd
Tournament to the Banff Springs Hotel. The Tournament was
extended to three days of play; the entrance fee was held at
$7.50; entries were again accepted on a first come - first
served basis; and room rates at the Banff Springs Hotel
started at $6.00 per day. Because of the enthusiastic response
from 300 applicants, it was decided to increase the number of
players to 192 and to increase the number of flights from ten
to twelve.
On August 1st at 6 a.m. the first of 48 foursomes (without
benefit of breakfast) teed off across the Spray River. The
second tournament saw the advent of sterling silver prizes for
the four finalists in each flight and engraved cigarette lighters
were presented to each entrant. R.K. Alexander won the
Redwater flight for the second year in a row.
The mayor of Calgary, flanked by red-coated "Mounties,"
awarded the prizes on the 18th green at sunset on the final
day of play in the most colorful presentation in the
Tournament's history. The dinner and dance that followed the
presentation ceremonies created a minor budget crisis for the
Tournament as the over-exuberant guests insisted on music
until the early hours of the morning.
chairman Arvil Minorco-chairman John Galloway / Al Weir
oIL INdusTRy EvENTs
Saskatchewan's first medium oil production (Fosterton)
Manitoba's Virden field begins production
Westcoast Transmission gets permit to build line from Peace River to Vancouver
Sun Oil Co. acquires 100,000 acres in Athabasca area
Canadian Petroleum Association formed
BANFF spRIN
Gs G
oLF Co
uRsE
2nd
NEW GovERNoRs
R.W. Burns
F. Fournier
R.C. Brown
J. O. Galloway
C.E. Chesher
F. M. McMahon
W.A. Weir
dId you kNoW?
The winners played 36 holes on the
3rd day. As the sun was setting and
the ceremonies were assembled, Eddie
Laborde played into the
last hole to win his match, taking 18
strokes to his opponent's 19.
small TowNs across the prairies are impacted by
ongoing discoveries.
19 52
2726
oilmen’s tournam
ent
FLIGHT WINNERs
J.S. Poyen redwater
W.R. Wiebe leduc
G.F. Watts stettler
R. Moorman turner valley
N.S. Edgar fosterton
J.S. Badyk golden spike
N.J. Cantwell bonnie glen
E.T. Hall lloydminster
E.H. LaBorde camrose
P. Bowlen jumping pound
C.W. North fort st. john
R.C. Turner armena
The Oilmen's became a four day tournament in the third year.
On the first day that player applications were accepted, over
500 were received. With only 192 spots available, this created
a most difficult task for the Board of Governors. The unusual
number of applications caused serious review of the method
used up to this date of determining participation and the Board
soon began to discuss making the Oilmen's an invitational affair.
In 1953 the Board decided to move to Banff permanently in
order that the Tournament could be played in a resort
environment rather than on private or commercial courses. The
Moxie Whitney band played for the first of many appearances
at the Oilmen's.
The conviction developed this year that the Tournament should
henceforth be tailored to appeal to industry management, both
domestic and international, without changing in any way the
desire to combine an excellent golf competition with exciting
entertainment features.
The success of future Boards in implementing these objectives
resulted in some very material benefits to the oil and gas
industry in Western Canada. Few who were present at the prize
presentations on the hotel terrace on the final night foresaw
the international success which future Tournaments would
enjoy.
chairman Al Weirco-chairman George Dunlap
oIL INdusTRy EvENTs
Saskatchewan's first major light oil discovery (Smiley)
Triple zone gas discovery at Pouce Coupe in NE BC
Westcoast receives first gas export permit
BANFF spRIN
Gs G
oLF Co
uRsE
NEW GovERNoRs
E.P. Chaput
A.R. Smith
J.H. Berry
A.R. Winzeler
dId you kNoW?
Although a few wives had been present at the
2nd Tournament, and more came to the closing
night, women were officially invited for the first
time to the 3rd, establishing it as more than just
a golf event.
spoRT EvENTs
Rocky Marciano becomes heavyweight champion, retiring in 1956 as only undefeated champion in history
New York Yankees win World Series for fifth time in a row
Ben Hogan wins Masters, US and British Opens
spoRT CHAMpIoNs
mlb New York Yankees (5 in a row)
nfl Detroit Lions
nhl Montreal Canadiens
nba Minneapolis Lakers
cfl Hamilton Tiger Cats
GoLF CHAMpIoNs
masters Ben Hogan
us open Ben Hogan
british open Ben Hogan
pga Walter Burkemo
cdn. open Dave Douglas
WoRLd EvENTs
Structure of DNA determined by Watson and Crick
Korean armistice
Dag Hammarskjold becomes Secretary General of UN
McCarthyism peaks in USA (e.g., Charlie Chaplin and Robert Oppenheimer)
Rifts discovered in earth's crust - continental drift?
Joseph Stalin dies
ENTERTAINMENT EvENTs
Oscars: From Here to Eternity; William Holden - Stalag 17; Audrey Hepburn - Roman Holiday
TV: Our Miss Brooks
Music: The Doggie in the Window; That's Amoré
Broadway: Wonderful Town
FIRsTs ANd FAds
1st Playboy magazine - Marilyn Monroe on the cover
1st James Bond novel: Casino Royale
New words: think tank; significant other
CANAdIAN EvENTs
First Stratford Festival opens
PemBiNa - Canada's largest oilfield - is discovered.
mouNT everesT is summitted
for the first time ever by Edmund
Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.
QueeN elizaBeTH ii of Great Britain is crowned at
Westminster Abbey, London at the age of 27.
cHevroleT releases 1st Corvette.
Marilyn Monroe plays golf at
Banff Springs in summer of 1953, just
missing the Oilmen’s.
3rd19 53
2928
oilmen’s tournam
ent
FLIGHT WINNERs
J.S. Poyen redwater
C.E. Wright leduc
F.C. Finn stettler
C.C. Bimel turner valley
L.J. Lobdell fosterton
P. Chaput golden spike
M. Lent bonnie glen
R.B. Skinner lloydminster
G.E. Dunlap camrose
A.H. Ross jumping pound
T. Jacobson fort st. john
H.K. Reidford armena
The 4th Tournament saw a host of innovations. Alberta was
eliminated from the official tournament title to more correctly
reflect the image of an inter-continental industry event. The
event began to attract leaders of the industry from the United
States and Eastern Canada, as well as from other parts of the
world. From this year forward, all tournaments became
invitational, with the Board of Governors being responsible for
screening applications and issuing playing invitations.
The entrance fee was revised drastically upward to $50.00 for
players and $25.00 for non-players. A package deal was worked
out with the Banff Springs Hotel for a four-day rate running
from $76.00 to $92.00 per couple, with two dinners included.
The Oilmen's Crest was created, Tee Time Topics and the
Tournament newspaper first appeared, and the famous Sirloin
Snack Bar at the Cauldron was introduced as was on course
betting. This was also the first year that the Best Dressed Golfer
was selected - on this occasion by a committee of wives of non-
players.
The most exciting Redwater final in Oilmen's history saw John
Poyen triumph over Bob Manahan in 20 holes and, for the first
time, a formal presentation banquet was held at which all prizes
were presented. The 4th Tournament inaugurated the custom,
perpetuated for nine years, of presenting a silver julep cup as a
registration gift, and accented entertainment features designed
to appeal to player and non-player alike.
chairman George Dunlapco-chairman Paul Chaput
oIL INdusTRy EvENTs
TCPL announces construction plans
Alberta Gas Trunk Pipeline initiated by Alberta government
Pembina pipeline formed
Buick Creek is BC's first significant oil discovery
NEW GovERNoRs
P. D. Bowlen
E.H. LaBorde
E. W. Dissler
A. Williams
W.T. Hayward
E.J. Hughes
P.L. Kartzke
S. Raborn
dId you kNoW?
The presence of animals on the
mountain golf courses is always an
extra hazard - especially as the elk have
multiplied. At the 4th Tournament play
was halted for 20 minutes due to a
bear being on the 18th green.
spoRT EvENTs
West Germany wins World Cup
Matt Baldwin of Alberta wins Brier for 1st of 3 times
Marilyn Bell swims across Lake Ontario
spoRT CHAMpIoNs
mlb New York Giants
nfl Cleveland Browns
nhl Detroit Red Wings
nba Minneapolis Lakers
cfl Edmonton Eskimos
GoLF CHAMpIoNs
masters Sam Snead
us open Ed Furgol
british open Peter Thomson
pga Melvin Harbert
cdn. open Pat Fletcher
WoRLd EvENTs
Vietnam divided N-S after battle of Dien Bien Phu, civil war begins
US Supreme Court outlaws school segregation
Salk polio vaccine approved
Boeing 707's fly commercially
CANAdIAN EvENTs
Hurricane Hazel hits Toronto, killing 83 people
Toronto subway opens
Whooping crane nest discovered in Wood Buffalo National Park
ENTERTAINMENT EvENTs
Oscars: On the Waterfront; Marlon Brando - On the Waterfront; Grace Kelly - The Country Girl
TV: Father Knows Best; Loretta Young
Music: Rock Around the Clock; Shake, Rattle and Roll; Fly Me to the Moon
Broadway: Kismet; Teahouse of the August Moon
Books: Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings
FIRsTs ANd FAds
1st Nuclear Sub - US Nautilus; Nuclear Power Plant - Soviet Union; US ICBM's
1st kidney transplant successful
New word: discotheque
Sports Illustrated
iNTerProviNcial PiPeliNe 645 mile extension
finished - making it the longest pipeline in the world.
BANFF spRIN
Gs G
oLF Co
uRsE
roger BaNNisTer runs
the 4-minute mile (3:59.4).marilyN moNroe marries
ex-baseball player Joe DiMaggio.
Tv DiNNers are introduced and
dinner time around the house is
never the same.
4th19 5 4
3130
oilmen’s tournam
ent
FLIGHT WINNERs
J.B. White redwater
W.D.C. Mackenzie leduc
M.P. Paulson stettler
H.A. Gibb turner valley
J.W. Bates Jr. fosterton
W.L. Irwin golden spike
R.B. Skinner bonnie glen
G.E. Jones lloydminster
H. Cox camrose
L.J. Richards jumping pound
G.L. Knox fort st. john
M.G. Capen armena
The 5th Oilmen's may, in retrospect, be viewed as a crossroads in
the approach to entertainment planning, and the innovations of
this Tournament established a format which we have enjoyed for
years. The Tournament moved to the last week in August where it
remained for 41 years.
In 1955 the first of the giant evening barbecues was presented on
the sports ground of the Banff Springs Hotel and this feature was
to continue on through the 11th Oilmen's before it became
obvious that driving rains and chilly temperatures would likely
accompany this event. This year also marked the beginning of the
Drilling Contractors' Buffet, complete with illuminated ice
sculptures and a sumptuous display of delicacies. This major
entertainment feature was made possible by the contributions of
30 drilling contractors.
A new innovation was the use of walkie talkies to report scores in
progress from the course.
A few still recall the strange sights on the 18th hole during
the afternoon competition for the Schenley Bowl on the third
day of play, which conclusively demonstrated that a "Scotch
Foursome" and rye don't mix. A final feature of the Fifth
Oilmen's was a Farewell Breakfast Party on Sunday morning
in the Fairholme Room.
chairman Eddie LaBordeco-chairman Walt Hohag
oIL INdusTRy EvENTs
TCPL negotiates many sales but delayed by financing
US Federal Power Commission approves gas imports from BC
Sun Oil's Sarnia refinery operates as first purpose built eastern refinery for Western Canadian Crude
BANFF spRIN
Gs G
oLF Co
uRsE
NEW GovERNoRs
E.M. Funkhouser
C.R. Tanner
C.C. Bimel
G.L. McMahon
C.E. Thornton
T.L. Brook
H. Medsger
E.M. Fetzer
S.P. King
H.R. MoormandId you kNoW?
At the feature buffet, a Boar's Head
was a prominent centrepiece. Before
the night was over it travelled a lot,
ending up on Smiley Raborn's bed,
and at breakfast on Tork Torkelson's
room service cart.
spoRT EvENTs
First LPGA tournament
Garnet Campbell of Saskatchewan wins the Brier
Arnold Palmer wins the Canadian Open, his 1st Championship
spoRT CHAMpIoNs
mlb Brooklyn Dodgers
nfl Cleveland Browns
nhl Detroit Red Wings
nba Syracuse Nationals
cfl Edmonton Eskimos
GoLF CHAMpIoNs
masters Cary Middlecoff
us open Jack Fleck
british open Peter Thomson
pga Doug Ford
cdn. open Arnold Palmer
WoRLd EvENTs
Khrushchev takes power in Soviet Union
Warsaw Pact formed
Rosa Parks rides in the front of the bus - Montgomery bus boycott follows
Peron flees Argentina
Anthony Eden is British Prime Minister
Albert Einstein dies
Invention of fibre optics
CANAdIAN EvENTs
Canadian Labour Congress is formed
ENTERTAINMENT EvENTs
Oscars: Marty; Ernest Borgnine - Marty; Anna Magnani - The Rose Tattoo
TV: Lawrence Welk; $64,000 Question; Phil Silvers; Ed Sullivan
Music: Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing; Love and Marriage
Broadway: The Pajama Game
FIRsTs ANd FAds
Disneyland Opens
Ray Kroc's 1st McDonalds; 1st Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)
1st Ann Landers published
New words: beatnik; karate; jet set
suN oil builds Sarnia refinery for Western
Canadian feedstocks.
THe THuNDerBirD is introduced by Ford.
James DeaN dies a young
man in car crash outside
Los Angeles.
segregaTioN eNDs
ICC orders end to
seperate seating
on public carriers in
the US.
rioTs rock Montreal over
suspension of Rocket Richard.
5th19 55
3332
oilmen’s tournam
ent
FLIGHT WINNERs
J.S. Poyen redwater
M.P. Paulson leduc
S.P. King stettler
D.J. Moffat turner valley
R. Brownridge fosterton
H.E. McCombs golden spike
W.N. Rabey bonnie glen
J.A. Armstrong lloydminster
D. Lougheed camrose
W.L. Falconer jumping pound
M. Newell fort st. john
M. Palmer armena
The first Governors' Ball on March 20, 1956 was held as a
forerunner of the 6th Oilmen's and was originally designed to
rekindle interest in golf and the Oilmen's in the early Spring. This
Tournament was held over the Labor Day weekend, beginning
Friday, August 31st, and was the occasion for which the wife of
one Governor made head covers for the woods of all 192 players.
The Sixth Oilmen's was responsible for a number of firsts, among
them Gusher Night with the first big-name entertainer - Dennis
Day - who will long be remembered for his hilarious impression
of a Japanese Elvis Presley. And the first big fashion show in
Oilmen's history was staged by Creeds of Toronto in conjunction
with the second Drilling Contractors' Buffet. Models,
seamstresses, etc. were all flown in from Toronto to ensure a first
class event.
The ultimate first occurred on Labor Day when the final matches
were played in a snowstorm with bonfires required on every other
tee. The Chairman's Plate competition was introduced this year.
All prizes were presented by the lovely Creeds' models at the
formal presentation banquet which concluded the Tournament.
chairman Walt Hohagco-chairman Ernie Funkhouser
oIL INdusTRy EvENTs
First Canadian oil sale to Japan
Rangeland pipeline begins
Imperial Oil announces petrochemical plant for Sarnia
Gulf constructs sulphur plant at Pincher Creek
BANFF spRIN
Gs G
oLF Co
uRsE
NEW GovERNoRs
R.A. Cruickshank
H. Lawson
J.G. Spratt
V. Taylor
G.H. Galloway
O. Torkelson
S. Stewart
dId you kNoW?
A review of the Governor's meeting
notes of the 6th Oilmen's reveals the
determination to change the format of
the 3rd day golf to create more interest
and attention, since it was described as
being "costumed inebriation of the 1st
and 2nd day losers."
spoRT EvENTs
Melbourne Summer Olympics: Al Oerter wins first of 4 successive gold medals for discus throw
Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics: Austrian Tony Sailer wins gold in all 3 Alpine ski events
Floyd Patterson is heavyweight champion
spoRT CHAMpIoNs
mlb New York Yankees
nfl New York Giants
nhl Montreal Canadiens
nba Philadelphia Warriors
cfl Edmonton Eskimos
GoLF CHAMpIoNs
masters Jack Burke
us open Cary Middlecoff
british open Peter Thomson
pga Jack Burke
cdn. open Doug Sanders
WoRLd EvENTs
Eisenhower re-elected President
American military advisors to Vietnam
Hungarian revolt suppressed by Soviet Union
Grace Kelly marries Prince Ranier
Sabin oral vaccine for polio
CANAdIAN EvENTs
Trans Canada Pipeline bill passes Parliament by use of closure
Robert Stanfield Premier of NS
ENTERTAINMENT EvENTs
Oscars: Around the World in 80 Days; Yul Brynner - The King and I; Ingrid Bergman - Anastasia
TV: Price is Right; Gunsmoke; Honeymooners; Alfred Hitchcock
Music: Que Será, Será; Why Do Fools Fall In Love; Fever
Broadway: Damn Yankees; Diary of Anne Frank
FIRsTs ANd FAds
Huntley - Brinkly become first TV news anchors
FORTRAN computer language introduced
New words: pop group; wheeler dealer
sour NaTural gas PlaNTs such as Pincher Creek
become significant.
elvis Presley makes his first televised
appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.
suez crisis Three British soldiers sit on barrel of an anti-
aircraft gun captured from Egyptian forces during the Anglo-
French invasion of the Suez Canal’s Mediterranean Terminal.
DoN larseN pitches World Series
perfect game for New York Yankees.
6th19 56
3534
oilmen’s tournam
ent
FLIGHT WINNERs
R.E. Manahan redwater
B.F. Willson leduc
J.N. Willson stettler
L.E. Miller turner valley
K.W. Germond fosterton
M.G. Harrison golden spike
W.D. Miller bonnie glen
W.T. Hurt lloydminster
J.H. Berry camrose
A.F. Beck jumping pound
M. Newell fort st. john
L. Croteau armena
R.H.C. Harrison pembina
Tournament fees continued their inexorable rise in 1957. This
time players' entry fees rose to $100.00 and non-players' to
$60.00. The contributors' donations also increased as budget
requirements became more extensive.
The entertainment program included an adaptation of "My Fair
Lady" staged by the staff of the Banff Springs Hotel on the night
of the Drilling Contractors' Buffet and this proved to be one of
the most enjoyable evenings in the entire entertainment history of
the Tournament. The professionals on Showtime, Marion
Marlowe and Will Jordan, were hard-pressed to equal the
performance of these delightful amateurs.
The new Pembina Flight was added in 1957, resulting in 13
flights of 16 players for a total of 208 golfers. This noble
experiment presented so many problems it was not attempted
again for eleven years. This was also the year that science entered
the Oilmen's picture when a computer was employed to more
accurately rate the golfers for flights. And an elaborate radio-
telephone system enabled spectators to follow play from four
different locations on the course.
chairman Ernie Funkhouserco-chairman Stu King / Harry Lawson
oIL INdusTRy EvENTs
Oil discovered at Swan Hills
Royalite announces $50 million program for Athabasca
US imposes import quotas to protect prices for industry, Canada is protected
Federal government proposes formation of a natural energy authority
PITS schedules first drilling school at University of Alberta
1st use of seamless pipe in oil fields
BANFF spRIN
Gs G
oLF Co
uRsE
NEW GovERNoRs
G.S. Badger
W.L. Irwin
H. Mann
K.S.C. Mulhall
K. Mygdal
M.M. Newell
J.D. Balfour
dId you kNoW?
Placing golfers into flights by handicap had been a
major manual exercise prior to the IBM
calculating machine. However as the Tournament
Tee Time Topics noted, reliable input was needed,
and there always seems to be a problem with
"those last minute changes in golfers’ abilities that
seem to occur at the time of the Oilmen's."
spoRT EvENTs
Boston Celtics win 1st of 11 NBA Championships they will win over next 13 years
Jim Brown joins Cleveland Browns, leading NFL rusher 8 of next 10 years
spoRT CHAMpIoNs
mlb Milwaukee Braves
nfl Detroit Lions
nhl Montreal Canadiens
nba Boston Celtics
cfl Hamilton Tiger Cats
GoLF CHAMpIoNs
masters Doug Ford
us open Dick Mayer
british open Bobby Locke
pga Lionel Hebert
cdn. open George Bayer
WoRLd EvENTs
European Common Market: Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands
Harold MacMillan becomes British PM
Thalidomide first prescribed
CANAdIAN EvENTs
John Diefenbaker becomes Prime Minister with minority government
Lester Pearson wins Nobel Prize for Peace
ENTERTAINMENT EvENTs
Oscars: Bridge on the River Kwai; Alec Guiness - Bridge on the River Kwai; Joanne Woodward - The Three Faces of Eve
TV: Maverick; Leave it to Beaver; Dinah Shore; Front Page Challenge
Music: Chances Are; All Shook Up; Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
Broadway: My Fair Lady
FIRsTs ANd FAds
Frisbee
1st American Bandstand with Dick Clark
Phrase: "See you later, alligator; after awhile, crocodile"
exPloraTioN success progresses to Northern
Alberta - e.g., Swan Hills area.
TrooPs To liTTle rock,
arkaNsas over school
desegregation.
Dr.seuss writes and illustrates
the still popular children’s book
“Cat in the Hat.”
russiaN sPuTNik is the first artificial satellite ever launched.
7th19 57
3736
spoRT EvENTs
Dodgers move to Los Angeles, Giants to San Francisco
Mickey Wright wins 1st of her 4 US Open Golf Championships
Althea Gibson wins 2nd successive Wimbledon and US Open Tennis championships
Arnold Palmer wins his 1st major, the Masters
spoRT CHAMpIoNs
mlb New York Yankees
nfl Baltimore Colts
nhl Montreal Canadiens
nba St. Louis Hawks
cfl Winnipeg Blue Bombers
GoLF CHAMpIoNs
masters Arnold Palmer
us open Tommy Bolt
british open Peter Thompson
pga Dow Finsterwald
cdn. open Wesley Ellis, Jr
WoRLd EvENTs
Charles de Gaulle becomes Premier of France and suppresses Algerian revolt
NASA created
1st American satellite, Explorer I
Nuclear submarine Nautilus sails under the North Pole ice
Brussels World Fair
CANAdIAN EvENTs
Coal mine disaster at Springhill, Nova Scotia; 74 deaths
Duff Roblin Premier of Manitoba
ENTERTAINMENT EvENTs
Oscars: Gigi; David Niven - Separate Tables; Susan Hayward - I Want to Live
TV: Rifleman; Jack Benny; Perry Mason
Music: Diana; If I Had A Hammer; Volaré; Peter Gunn
Broadway: The Music Man
Elvis joins the army
Beatles formed
FIRsTs ANd FAds
1st pacemaker implanted
American Express credit card introduced
Lego introduced
New word: high fidelity (hi fi)
THe Hula HooP is
invented as a leisure
activity for all ages
and becomes the
latest craze.
Pele, 17-year-old soccer
prodigy, plays for Brazil who
win the World Cup.
JoHN DiefeNBaker is re-elected Prime
Minister of Canada with large majority.
oilmen’s tournam
ent
FLIGHT WINNERs
J.S. Poyen redwater
A.D. Minor leduc
C.L. Chapman stettler
K.W. Germond turner valley
H.O. Medsger fosterton
J.A. Armstrong golden spike
D. Lougheed bonnie glen
R.H. Wright lloydminster
R.C. Brown camrose
P.E. McGovney jumping pound
O. Hinman fort st. john
W.M. Luthy armena
During this year a great deal of attention was paid to
organizational matters by the Board. One of the principal reasons
that the Tournament has maintained its standards over the years
has been the awareness of the need for proper continuity. In this
eighth year, detailed job descriptions were developed for each one
of the 25 Board assignments. These job descriptions have proved
invaluable to new Board Members each year as they are able to
have the benefit of a complete account of their responsibilities,
down to the smallest detail.
On the third day of play during the 8th Oilmen's the first shotgun
start was tried on the course, with complete rounds beginning at
7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Many years later the entire Tournament
would go to this type of start.
On Thursday night at Showtime, Hilo Hattie and her Hawaiian
troupe provided a memorable evening. This was the last year for
the Drilling Contractors' Buffet as their evening was to involve
differing types of entertainment in the years that followed. The
Banff Springs Hotel was pleased to introduce its new high fidelity
sound system at the 8th Oilmen's.
chairman Harry Lawsonco-chairman Matt Newell
oIL INdusTRy EvENTs
Borden Commission recommends formation of National Energy Board
Alberta resists jurisdiction of NEB in Alberta operations
First waterflood project in Canadian oil fields
Dome announces underground LPG storage project in Saskatchewan
Esso accumulates land and starts drilling at Cold Lake
BANFF spRIN
Gs G
oLF Co
uRsEfirsT alBerTa NaTural gas flows to
Eastern Canada.
NEW GovERNoRs
P.C. Bawden
D. L. Potter
A.Galloway
W.R. Wiebe
G.L. Knox
M.H. Finnell
T. Thomson
R.L. Harris
A. Detmar
B. Richards
K.W. Germond
D.W. Williams
dId you kNoW?
The Photo Directory was inaugurated at the 8th
Oilmen's. Although that year it only included the
golfers, it has subsequently included all attendees and
their partners and became an invaluable reference
guide throughout the years. Although, once in a
while there is a mixup matching partners' photos
with the inevitable kidding and joking ensuing.
8th19 58
38
spoRT EvENTs
Jacques Plante wears 1st goalie mask in pro hockey
American Football League formed
Ernie Richardson of Saskatchewan wins 1st of four Briers
spoRT CHAMpIoNs
mlb Los Angeles Dodgers
nfl Baltimore Colts
nhl Montreal Canadiens
nba Boston Celtics
cfl Winnipeg Blue Bombers
GoLF CHAMpIoNs
masters Art Wall, Jr.
us open Billy Casper
british open Gary Player
pga Bob Rosberg
cdn. open Doug Ford
WoRLd EvENTs
Yasir Arafat forms Palestine Liberation Movement
CIA starts Air America in Vietnam; Ho Chi Minh Trail opens by N. Vietnamese through Laos and Cambodia
Soviet Lunik probe lands on moon
Massive US strikes by steelworkers and longshoremen
Alaska and Hawaii become states
CANAdIAN EvENTs
St. Lawrence Seaway opened
Avro Arrow cancelled
Georges Vanier becomes Governor General
ENTERTAINMENT EvENTs
Oscars: Ben Hur; Charlton Heston - Ben Hur; Simone Signoret - Room at the Top
TV: Bonanza; Twilight Zone; Don Messer's Jubilee
Music: You've Got Personality; Mack the Knife
Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art opens in New York City
Motown Records formed
TV Quiz show scandals
Broadway: Redhead
FIRsTs ANd FAds
1st commercial use Xerox copier introduced
First automobile seatbelt (Volvo)
COBOL programming language for business developed
New word: psychedelic
fiDel casTro
takes over Cuba.
BuDDy Holly, seen here with his group The
Crickets, had seven hit singles until he died in a
plane crash in 1959.BarBie doll first introduced.
viNce lomBarDi becomes
coach of Green Bay Packers.
19 59
39
oilmen’s tournam
ent
FLIGHT WINNERs
J.S. Poyen redwater
A.H. Mitchel leduc
R.R. Brownridge stettler
E.M. Funkhouser turner valley
D.R. Brandt fosterton
J.L. Atkinson golden spike
J.F. Hardy bonnie glen
C.E. Peavy lloydminster
J.R. White camrose
J. Wahl jumping pound
H.A. Engel fort st. john
G.J. McKay armena
The problem of slow play which had dogged golfers during the
preceding two Tournaments was vigorously attacked in 1959.
The Golf Committee scheduled matches to start on the 1st, 5th,
10th and 15th tees, the old "gimme" sticks were replaced by the
painted "gimme" circles, and players were bombarded with
literature designed to reduce wasted time on the course. The result
was a substantial reduction in time required to complete
the matches.
The Malcolm Tapp Trophy competition was introduced on
the fourth day which enabled twelve more players to compete
in the finals. Special flagsticks with oil industry photos mounted
in the place of the flags were used on the greens throughout
the Tournament.
Showtime featured the Taylor Group who proved a big success.
The Fairholme Room was transformed into a New Orleans street
scene for this evening, and the Max Pillar orchestra was brought
in from the West Coast for two evenings of dancing.
At the Presentation Banquet on the final night an amazing
coincidence saw Boysie and Frieda Bryan's names pulled for the
Las Vegas trip prize for the second consecutive year, at odds of
roughly 200,000 to 1.
chairman Matt Newellco-chairman Sam Stewart
oIL INdusTRy EvENTs
John Diefenbaker forms National Energy Board
Construction of Bowden refinery announced
Conservation Board issues report on use of nuclear explosions in Athabasca
BANFF spRIN
Gs G
oLF Co
uRsE
NEW GovERNoRs
R.R. Brownridge
R. Wilson
J.J. Statler
S. Shambaugh
B.F. Willson
D.G. Wilkin
R.N. Gadbois
D.M. Withers
B.H. White
dId you kNoW?
An intense analysis of playing performance by a
committee of 4 determined that speed of play was a
function of education and experience, not golf ability.
JuDy creek Discovery follows Swan Hills,
leading over time to major gas plants.
9th
