Assembling the historic sequence has proved to be a difficult task. Some of the past is a blur, but certain moments will be etched permanently in crystal clear memory. Like death and taxes, one thing that is certain ….
We have evolved
Once upon a time …. Paul Belanger and John Galbo organized a friends and family golf outing at Wolverine Golf Club in Romeo Michigan. If our memories are correct, this was mostly a local event put together by Paul and John and included close friends, family and acquaintances of the Belanger clan. Somehow, the Dayton faction weaseled our way in and ultimately became a permanent part of the landscape. Eventually, the eight best players separated themselves from the rest of the pack and we formed the official Great Eight. Although Michael did not make the first cut, he was later added so Dave could have someone to tell short jokes to.We have come a long way
What started out as a friendly scramble at Wolverine Golf club has evolved into a chest-out, trash-talking, Ryder cup style, show-no-mercy competition.For example; Michael ran the skins game in 1993 at Boyne. At the end of the last round, it went something like this … Dave owes Paul $21, Mike owes Eddie $6, Rick owes John $35, so Rick should just pay Eddie $25, Paul you pay John $14 … blah blah blah blah blah …
Kudos to our bookie - Dave Bittner for organized crime.
2003 at the legends, the bar was again raised as Commissioner Belanger rolled out the first GR8 wearables (shirts and hats – we’re still waiting on the boxers!) in addition to the now coveted GR8 Cup!
I don‘t have dates, but I do recall an evolution from Swisher Sweets to fine Cubans!
2007 commissioner Belanger brings us the official GR8 website!!