Great news from the Oil Kings Alumni on February 6th, as they announced "It's full steam ahead for our 2021 Alumni Golf Tournament..
stated Alumni head honcho Darryl Havrelock, "and because of Covid, we've made an important adjustment, which I think all golfers are going to be very pleased with".
We're all set for our usual 1:00 oclock Shotgun Start on Friday August 20th, and everything is rolling along smoothly for our 13th version of this fun-filled event at The Links in Spruce Grove. .
"In previous years, golfers were required to pay their entire $185 Entry Fee at the time they signed up to golf. This year, when signing up, all they need to do is provide us with a post-dated cheque for July 1st, or provide their credit card info, and they're in". Credit card processing is handled for us by Elite Promotional Marketing, and no credit cards will be processed until July 1st" said Havrelock.
Why Post-Dates For July 1st?
"With all the uncertainty created by the Covid Pandemic", continued Havrelock, "we felt we needed an up-front 'Plan B' in case another cancellation couldn't be avoided. We've decided June 30th is our Cancellation Decision Date. If we can't run our NORMAL Alumni Tournament, June 30th is the day we will announce whether we are cancelling or proceeding. No money changes hands until July 1, but it allows golfers to register before that date & therefore secure their position in the golf tourney. We felt all golfers would welcome this change, knowing up front what our plans are". For us, it will be a hectic 6 weeks putting the final touches on things, but that's the way it has to be".
Gregg Pilling, who heads up the Alumni sales department remarked he's had a great response from the tournament's sponsors, many who have been with us since our initial tourney 14 years ago. "Normally I'm on the street January 1st with our sales packages, but this year because of Covid, I held off until February 1, not being sure about personally calling on businesses during the pandemic. So I waited a month & mostly jumped on the phone to ask about dropping by their business. What a pleasant surprise, as an even 20 of our sponsors said 'Count us in, send me something to sign, we look forward to being there again!" .Hopefully I'll get answers from the rest of them by month's end".
For those of you wanting to register by phone, call Darryl at 780-469-5718, or Gregg at 780-486-2125. There is an Entry Form for your convenience on our Golf Registration page, or you can just verbalize it to Darryl or Gregg..
OIL KINGS ALUMNI EXPANDING:
Posted
by:
Sunday, February 23, 2020
As of March 1, 2020, the Edmonton Oil Kings Alumni is expanding their ranks, to include all WHL graduate players from the Edmonton area, who have played a minimum of 1 year (68 games) in the WHL.
"Not only has the game changed drastically over the years, but so have the methods by which each club is able to operate", stated Darryl Havrelock, founder of the Oil Kings Alumni. When junior hockey came to Edmonton back in the 50's, there was a Sponsorship system in place, whereby each club was supported financially to a certain degree, by one of the six NHL clubs, with many hometown boys playing on each team. Such is not the case nowadays, as all CHL clubs follow a Draft plan similar to the one utilized by today's 32-team NHL. Players from all over the world, come to each WHL team via their Draft system. It's tough if not impossible for any Alumni to survive by operating like it was still the '50's. And, we all wear the same uniform nowadays, chuckled Havrelock. Maybe we can start something here for other clubs to take a look at, and maybe follow suit."
"Our Alumni is likely the most active in all of today's Western Hockey League cities", cited Havrelock. "Each year we hold roughly 7 events, well attended, and go a long way at keeping the guys all together. There are numerous Edmonton & area boys playing in the WHL, and we want to welcome them into our expanded Alumni which will be known as the OIL KINGS & WHL ALUMNI
Our Premier Alumni Event is our annual Golf Tournament, now in it's 13th year. Our other events range from Breakfasts or lunches, to A Night at the Mayfield Dinner Theatre, to a Mystery Golf Day, or we've taken in a ball game. One thing we've made certain of, is to welcome our golf tourney sponsors to these events. They are the ones who support us & make it possible for us to remain active as a group". We consider them to be part of our Alumni group.
So, calling all former WHL players in the Edmonton area. If you are interested in becoming part of the Oil Kings & Western Hockey League Alumni, go to our "ALUMNI REGISTRY PAGE, fill it out & follow the instructions.
If you have any questions,
contact either Darryl Havrelock at 780-469-5718 or email dotanddk@shaw.ca
or
contact Gregg Pilling at 780-486-2125 or 780-909-3691 or email gregg@thepillings.ca
