BEARS ALUMNI PLAYERS END ‘COACH’ POLAND’S ERA, WHILE SCORING AGAIN FOR HOSPICE MUSKOKA AND ANDY’S PLACE

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — A two-day celebration of life and hockey last weekend began with a few tears and ended with a few more beers.

The Bracebrige Bears Jr. C Alumni group (1970-’83) got together Friday and Saturday at the South Muskoka Curling and Golf Club to mark the end of “Coach” Danny Poland’s long, spirited life and to continue their community charitable efforts.

“The weekend started with a celebration of life for our first Coach Danny Poland and what a send off it was,” alumni organizer Greg Crozier said on their FB page.

Poland, 92, died March 19 at Andy’s Place in Port Carling where for the past two years  former members of his teams raised funds.

Last year they donated $6,500 to Hospice Muskoka.

See of red…. Bears Alumni members, friends, supporters and golfers gathered on the 18th for the ultimate commorative ‘Team Photo.’ PHOTO Bears Alumni

While many players were able to get to both events to talk about the glory days of the Bears, Saturday it was golf greats who dominated the day with a lot of drives for show and putts of “Ohhh!”

But mostly it was fun and games for greying guys, their families, friends and supporters.

It included a putt-off as players came off the course. Scott Hammond outscored fellow younger team-mates from other eras to win golf bag by ringing up 90 points in three shots. It raised $265.

Auctions of autographed NHL jerseys and locally donated products raised more money. A final tally is TBD.

Players from several Bears eras gathered to show they still have the skills off the ice if not on any longer. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont
‘Golf Day’ was all about fun and games and charity Saturday at South Muskoka Curling and Golf Club in Bracebridge.
Former Bears great Brian Whitehead looks long at his putt as co-organizer Ron Webb watches to count his points in post putt-off. Scott Hammond won with 90 points.

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