The PGA of Canada Remembers
It is with deep regret that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved son, brother, uncle and special friend, Tom Betz, on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at Pine Falls Hospital at the age of 58 years. Tom lived at his cottage at Lester Beach, Manitoba and was employed by Grand Pines Golf Course at the time of his passing.
Tom is survived by his father, Elmer Betz; and his sisters, Linda Keeper, Lorraine Kakegamic, Irene (Terry) Plowman, June Funk and Iris Anderson. Tom was especially close to his niece Christine Funk and her fiancé Claude Pelletier. He also had numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Tom was predeceased by his mother, Dorothy; younger sister Tara Betz; and brother-in-law Solly Kakegamic.
As a young boy, Tom attended Florence Nightingale, Hampstead, Morse Place Junior High and Kildonan East Collegiate schools. He loved sports and was an avid hockey player. He played junior hockey for Northwood Community Club and Morse Place Community Club. Tom enjoyed time with his family camping, swimming and going to Legion picnics. He got the golf bug and became a member of Rossmere Country Club at the age of 14. He especially enjoyed spending time with his buddies watching hockey, golf, football, basketball and baseball.
Through his golfing career, Tom soon developed lifelong friends. From 1980 to 1985 he was the assistant golf pro at Rossmere Golf and Country Club and served his 5 year golf apprenticeship under Gerald Morrissey. In 1984 Tom won the Professional Golf Association (PGA) of Manitoba Assistants Championship. In 1986 he received his Class A Professional Card and over the years he honed his skills as a PGA. He always left his mark at the golf courses, leaving the course in a much better state than when he arrived. Tom's love and the passion for the game of golf was always centred around his junior golf programs. He inspired a new generation of golfers. “Tommy” was a great organizer and promoter of golf and fun golf events. You would always see or hear him on the course with his famous Woo Hoo's.
Tom worked at the following golf courses over his 30 years as a golf pro:
1986-89 at Falcon Lake Golf Course, MB
1990 he opened the Chinook Golf Course in Swift Current, SK
1991 at Harbour View Golf Course, Winnipeg, MB
1992 at Rossmere Country Club, Winnipeg, MB
1993-1997 at Pima Country Club, Scottsdale, Arizona - he worked for Jim Mooney & Gene Bears (2 life time members of the PGA of America). Here he further developed his junior golf programs under their guidance.
1998-2000 at Oak Creek Country Club, Sedona Arizona
2001-2004 at Clear Lake Golf Course, Clear Lake, MB. Tom loved the outdoors and country living and the people loved him at the lake.
2005-2016 at Grand Pines Golf Club, Traverse Bay, MB.
Tom reached his thirtieth year as a Class A Member of the PGA in 2016. He had a large golf family whom he loved.
It is in Lester Beach, Manitoba where Tom bought his cottage and planned to retire from golf. He enjoyed the relaxed laid back life of cottage living. We will miss Tom, the man of many nick names, “Tommy”, “Tommer”, “Bodine”, “Jethro” and “The Big Rig”. We’re sure he's up there belting out a few Roy Orbison tunes and a few Woo Hoo's.
A Funeral Service will be held for Tom on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. in Westwood Community Church, 400 Westwood Drive, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Honourary Pall Bearers are Bruce Gray, Chris Jenson, Bruce Johnson, Al Fisher, Don Robson, Brent Hammerback, Waverly Squires and Bob MacCallum.
A Celebration of Tom’s Life will also be held on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Grand Pines Golf Course, Highway #59, Traverse Bay, Manitoba.
Wojcik’s Funeral Chapels & Crematorium, Winnipeg, 1020 Main Street, 204.586.8668 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com