Apex Invitational Golf Tournament

When it rains, it pours.

That was the theme of the 49th Annual Apex Golf Tournament.

After the pandemic kept things a bit more unconventional the past three years, we were convinced that we were fully back in action for 2023… until we weren’t.

This year, Apex was full in less than 2 hours, which was an absolute record. The registration process was a lot to handle as a result, but it’s always amazing to see just how much interest this tournament draws.

When it came time for the first group to tee off on Friday, it was a beautiful day for golf. It was warm, and the sun was shining. By the time Saturday morning rolled around, it was quickly becoming apparent that we were about to be rained out.

Whenever we see rain during Apex weekend, it’s typically on Sunday (causing a postponement or cancellation of the ball game). If anything, we might see a few sprinkles that keep it slightly damp out on the course, but overall we usually get pretty lucky.

Not this year.

The rain was coming down hard Saturday morning, which initially delayed the start of Day 2. After two consecutive delays, however, organizers made the official call to cancel at 8:30am.

While some people may have appreciated the extra time to rest, we still had a tie to settle.

At the end of Day 1, past winners, Patrick Jackson and Terry Clarke, were tied at the top of the leaderboard. So in between downpours, off they went for a playoff that only took one hole to settle. Clarke came out the winner.

The rain caused an anticlimactic ending for most, but you never can predict what Mother Nature might have in store.

This year also marked only the 2nd time in the tournament’s 49-year history that rain resulted in the competition being cut short. Let’s hope it’s the last!

At the banquet, the Committee issued 8 scholarships to students heading off to various post-secondary institutions across Nova Scotia and in the U.S, including:

• Egypt Andrews (Saint Mary’s University)

• Sarah Astatkie (Dalhousie University)

• Paris Farquharson (CBBC Career College)

• Willa Evans (Plymouth State University)

• Abisola Oshikoya (CBBC Career College)

• Lola Oshikoya (CBBC Career College)

• MacKenzie Wright (Acadia University)

• Talia Jackson (Saint Mary’s University)

The Robbie Jones Award for Community Achievement went to Absiola Oshikoya.

Dean Smith was the recipient of this year’s Arthur Jordan Provincial Award. He was nominated by his friend, Calvin Barton, for embodying so many of the traits that Arthur (Arty) was known for. In particular, Dean has contributed immensely over the years to the advancement of hockey in Nova Scotia, and more specifically amongst youth and the BIPOC community.

All in all, it’s NOW safe to say Apex is back on track. We have our golf, we have our dinner, we have our dances, and next year we have our 50th!!!

As we ended the weekend, the buzz around next year’s tournament was already well in the air. People were planning their vacations, booking their stays, reminiscing about the weekend, and looking forward to what’s to come.

By the way, a survey was developed and circulated this year by the Apex Committee for both golfers and non golfers to complete. The intent of the survey was to identify additional activities and events to bring forth for the 50th year.

Some great recommendations were made and planning is officially underway. Stay tuned for what we have planned, and we can’t wait to see you there!