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Killaloe – The 41st annual Joe Murray Memorial Golf Tournament went off without a hitch Friday, attracting a capacity number of golfers to one of the Valley’s longest-running sporting events.
But there was an air of sadness as almost 200 golfers showed up at the Homestead at Wolf Ridge as another of the three founding organizers was absent this year. Phil (Willard) Skebo passed away last January after a battle with cancer, but the last of the original founding members, Brian McCarthy, made sure he was not forgotten.
“Phil was a colourful character, probably the most colourful this tournament will ever see,” Mr. McCarthy said. “And I think character is a good word because Phil was a man of character.”
Mr. McCarthy said he made sure the golf tournament was kept going for 40 years and also noted he co-chaired of the popular annual Toronto Maple Leafs/Montreal Canadiens Rider Cup, a friendly golf tournament between Montreal and Toronto hockey fans in the Madawaska Valley and area. He was heavily involved in the Opeongo Heritage Hockey Tournament in Barry’s Bay every year since its beginning more than two decades ago and he also gave of his time freely to ensuring the outdoor rink at Wilno had good ice and was maintained during the winter months.
He also taught kids, “our young and upcoming golfers on this driving range how to play the game and how to play it properly,” Mr. McCarthy said.
“He lived life well and he gave things back,” he said.
Just last year, Mr. McCarthy and Mr. Skebo handed control of the tournament over to a younger generation made up of two sons of the late Joe Murray: Fr. Scott and Trevor, his nephew, Calvin Murray, and Mr. Skebo’s son, Kirk.
The Killaloe Open was launched in 1983 by Messrs. McCarthy, Murray and Skebo and it became an instant success, filling up each year with players waiting to get in. Mr. Murray passed away in 2010 and the two remaining committee members kept it going, renaming it then the Joe Murray Memorial Golf Tournament.
For the first 25 years, the tournament was held at the Renfrew Golf Club, but when the Homestead at Wolf Ridge, which opened as a nine-hole course 21 years ago expanded to 18 holes three years later, organizers brought the tournament home to Killaloe.
Mr. McCarthy said he hoped his two long-time friends were having some great golf games in heaven and having lots of fun. And he also encouraged everyone to think of them as they enjoyed their day Friday.
The tournament was won by the team of Carson, Brodie and Jim McCarthy and John Andrechuck.
Publisher Surprised With Award
Before the horn sounded to begin the tournament, Kirk Skebo announced Leader publisher Gerald Tracey as the recipient of this year’s Joe Murray Volunteer Award, presented annual to the person or people who best exemplify not only the dedication to the tournament, but through the community as well.
“This year’s recipient is no different,” Mr. Skebo said. “I’ve grown to know this gentleman for many years around the golf course, ball field and hockey rink. At any major event, you could be sure to find him somewhere.”
He described this year’s recipient as an ambassador of community involvement.
“We are all fortunate to know such a wholehearted person,” he said. “I’m sure we see him almost every year at this tournament and I don’t believe he has ever played in it.”

