Windsor Tomcats

By Harry Ballsonue

Without a hitch, the Kobassa Open (a 2 man scramble format) was played on July 15 with the winners Bagzand Spanky coming in at 73. “This is a great honour to be a winner of this magnificent tournament, when the last putt went in, both Spanky and I had tears in our eyes.” Stated Bagz.

More Winners

Second place with 75, was taken by the combo of Hollywood and the Big Easy, “I am a golfer now, this may be the second best day of my life, to finish second in this prestigious event, well I am speechless, I am with out speech.” Stated Hollywood.

Third place went to Chevy and Sheepdog with a 75, then fourth was taken by Hatchie and Stevo with a 75 and fifth went to Bubbles and the Howler at 76.  The most honest golfers went to The Turk and Little Bird with a steamy 86.

Closest to the pin were taken by three different winners, Sparky, Hatchie and Crispy. No one got on the green on the par 3, 13th.

Thank You Goes Out

Huge thank you goes out to Bundura, May Day, Hatchie, Big Easy, Howler/Little Bird and Sea Lion for providing the food and prizes. And thanks to Turk for the appetizers…. “Yes, I host it and supply some of the stuff, but without these guys helping me, the tournament would not be the same without them, they deserve a great deal of thanks and credit.  If anyone else ever wants to help contribute please do so.” Indicated Stevo, tournament organizer.

Best Dressed

Even though there was no prize for the best dressed, it was obvious to everyone Hatchie and Stevo’s matching outfits were the talk of the tournament, Cribzie and La Bamba a close second with their red hats and black golf shirts, “Look, the tournament is fun and we just try to lay another layer of fun on top of it, I hope more guys get matching shirts next year, it’s fun and who doesn’t want or need a nice new golf shirt.” Hatchie said enthusiastically.

Next Year

“We will be having our Kobassa Open year endmeeting in October to discuss next year, I think one of the options would be to add more guys and to not go back to Stevo’s, but maybe go to Legion in Essex but we will need to look at all options before we make a decision.  One thing I can tell you is that we will probably charge each golf 10-20 dollars to help offset some of the costs. I think it is only fair not to have the same people pay all the time.” Stated May Day.

Prizes and food and booze do cost money, so it will be a natural thing to do, to have everyone contribute. 

Next up is the Ride Her Cup on Monday August 2, Mad Day Marauders take on Hatchie’s Humpers.

Any given Monday, the Mr. Gordon’s golf league is alive and well, if you are interested in playing, contact the Commissioner, May Day.

August 23, 24 and 25 sees the Tomcats in the Cougar Bush tour.  Three days of fun and merriment. Chevy is the organizer of this stupendous event, if you are interested, please see him to be put on a waiting list.

Photos and Big Ending

There were 100’s of photos taken, cannot get them all up, but here are a few.

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Thanks to La Bamba, who created the Kobassa Open page on WhatsAP… you can view more photos.

In case you are wondering if the Tomcat Forever song was belted out in the back yard of a quiet unassuming residential neighbourhood, YES IT WAS ! While you sing the song to yourself as you read this, do you think I can put my Harry Ballsonue.

Meet Rocky

Your Favourite Golfer / Athlete: I have two. Barry Sanders – no one ever carried the mail the way Barry did…you held your breath every time he broke the first tackle. The Captain, Stevie Y – the greatest leader in sports ever…no drama, no flashiness, always put the needs of the team first, always leading by example, what a true leader should be. 

Your favourite Golf ball: Whichever of the many free ones my father gives me from his massive collection that also stays in my bag the longest. 

Your favourite hockey player growing up: Mark Messier and Paul MacDermid

Your favourite present day hockey player: Connor McDavid

Your favourite band(s): If you need to ask this, you haven’t spent any time around me. The Holy Trinity of Rock has always been and will always be THE band for me. 

Your favourite movie(s): The Shawshank Redemption

A highlight from High School: Going to a dance in grade 9 with my friend Hugh and as we wait to get into the gym, he says hi to a cute girl I had yet to meet. I asked him who that was and he said “some girl named Donna from my science class.”  The pursuit was on!

If you could do one thing for the Tomcats, what would you do: Like many others, build a facility/clubhouse for the Tomcats so we could have a set up just the way we like and need it. That and get MGD to sponsor us with a lifetime supply of beer. 

Your favourite Tomcat:  There are so many, but easy for me it is The Falcon. We’ve been friends since like grade 3 when our mothers were volunteers at our school. He brought me to the Tomcats so I wouldn’t be here without him. 

Your Favourite Tomcat Moment:  For me, the Stanley’s Cup victories were fun, but they really don’t matter all that much. I really enjoy the early morning arrival on Tournament Saturday when we are working to get last-minute things in order, saying hello to some guys who haven’t been around for a while, etc.  The gatherings downstairs at the Kapusta after the tournament or at Christmas time are also right up there. 

One thing you would like other Tomcats to know about you: While I pretty much play defense full-time for the Tomcats, I really prefer to play forward. 

Meet Stevo

Your Favourite Golfer / Athlete: Jordan Spieth now, but I use to be a big Freddie Couples and Seve Ballasteros fan.

Your favourite Golf ball: I love using the Noodle and the Calloway….and if I can find one, Titliest AVX

Your favourite hockey player growing up: Norm Ullman, Bruce Gamble Gilbert Perrault then Dominick Hasek.

Your favourite present day hockey player: Sidney Crosby

Your favourite band(s): Chicago, The Clash, Roxy Music (Bryan Ferry) Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay and Tea Party

Your favourite movie(s): In order 1-5:  Love Actually, Brave Heart, Beautiful Girls, Mr. Destiny K-Pax

A highlight from High School: Wearing a brown tuxedo at graduation, we thought we looked so cool with he ruffled shirts.

If you could do one thing for the Tomcats, what would you do: State of the art facility ….all walls enclosed, benches on the side, with penalty boxes…dressing rooms, showers, a bar for beer…..a stick/equipment room (with ventilation) Underground parking, bleachers for spectators and a score clock handing from the ceiling like in the bigs.

Your favourite Tomcat: Every Tuesday sitting on stage watching the guys walk in…those are my favourite Tomcats….the smiles the laughs, you can ask those guys to do you a favour and they would jump at it…..no better set of friends then all the Tomcats I have had the pleasure to know. Come tournament time, getting chairs down for the team photo, those guys are my favourite Tomcats….all for one and one for all.

Your Favourite Tomcat Moment: Here are my top 10 (NOT IN ORDER) , 1) Nine Second Dave, 2) Essex 96’rs beating the Belle River Buckos, they left and we sat on stage smiling for an hour, 3) Bulldog after a tournament having a few pops falling too the floor as he was hanging on to the side curtains, he pulled himself up and said, “oh, I almost fell”. 4) I was playing goalie and got twisted around and now my ass was facing the play, and I’m on my knees facing the net, I put out my catching glove out to face the play and Hurricane shots it right in my glove, what a save, 5) Ditty streaking 6) Spinner interferes with me as I am going towards the net, I loose it, I start yelling, I whip my stick against the curtains, I turn around on stage and yell, “This is suppose to be for fun, and I’m not having any!!!!”  7) Winning a Stanley’s Cup with my son Big Ned, not sure who was happier, me or him. 8) Tomcat golf tournament back at Crispy’s and me fetching the Sealion Rye and Cokes….and his famous line, “ There’s no rye in this Belle River Pepsiiiiii Stevoooo 9) Every Tomcat Tournament when we lined up for the full Tomcat Team Photo…great moments. 10) Every tee shirt, jacket, hoodie, sweat shirt, touque, gym bag, track pants, shorts coozie, bottle opener and underwear.

One thing you would like other Tomcats to know about you: That every night in my prayers I ask for Love, Grace and Understanding for every Tomcat. 

Meet Big Ned:

Your Favourite Athlete: Anthony Edwards
Your favourite hockey player growing up: Mats Sundin
Your favourite band(s): UGK, Lauryn Hill, Charles Bradley, Three 6 Mafia
A highlight from High School: Leaving
Your favourite Tomcat: My Dad Stevo and my Uncle Hollywood, with close seconds to Bundura, Sea Lion, May Day, Jingles.
One thing you would like other Tomcats to know about you: If I had a ton of money I would love to own a 1977 Candy Red Cadillac

Meet Rexy:

Favorite Golfer: Phil Mickelson ,still waiting for Phil to reach in his bag of tricks and win one more major, just like Tiger in 2019 Masters, before transitioning to the senior tour. Go Phil!
Favorite Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V 1 – second time around. I would never pay full up for anything with that short a lifespan
Favorite Hockey Player Growing Up: John Ferguson and Guy LaFleur Montreal Canadians
Favorite Present Day Hockey Player: Sid the Kid
Favorite Bands: Stones and Huey Lewis
Favorite Movie: Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid…Who are those guys?
Highlights from H/S: Graduating
One Thing for Tomcats: Rent Atlas Tube Centre and buy everybody a round
Favorite Tomcat: Stevo
Favorite Tomcat Moment: Saturday morning tournament and sitting at Purples for a cool one and some laughs

Meet Bagz:

Your Favourite Golfer / Athlete: Gary Player / Dave Keon

Your favourite Golf ball (if you are a golfer) if not a golfer, your favourite sporting memory: My favourite golf ball is whichever one looks the least used in my bag.

Your favourite hockey player growing up: Dave Keon, loved watching # 14!

Your favourite present day hockey player: Currently I like Zach Hyman, he represents everything a hockey player should be: toughness, heart and skill.

Your favourite bands: I like rock bands from the 70’s and 80’s like Led Zeppelin, Rush and Deep Purple but I also love Evanesence with the super vocal stylings of Amy Lee, pure gold!!

Your favourite movie(s): I have several movies which I will watch ever time they are on tv to the dismay of my wife such as The Hunt For Red October, The Shawshank Redemption, Top Gun and The Green Mile.

A highlight from High School: There are so many but two come to mind particularly: 1) Driving my car through the Grand Marais Ditch with Matt St.Louis. 2) Watching a fellow student in machine shop get his finger twisted off in a lathe, grabbing him and his finger and going to the teacher and telling him to call for an ambulance, he was marking some tests and answered without looking up, “oh do you have a boo boo?” Then he looked up, saw the injury and proceeded to vomit all over his desk!! Btw, the finger was down back on and is still functioning.

If you could do one thing for the Tomcats, what would you do: I would fly all the Tomcats to Hawaii and just party!

Your favourite Tomcat: All the Tomcats are great, but the positivity shown by Stevo is an inspiration to all!

Your Favourite Tomcat Moment: I have only played at The Kapusta Kow Palace a couple of times but my favourite memories have been playing at the training camps in Battle Creek!

One thing you would like other Tomcats to know about you: I generally like to sit back and watch people instead of showing my hand right away, some people call it stalking, I prefer information gathering!

Meet a brand new Tomcat:  Scully

Scully comes to the Tomcats through free agency, he is dear friends of the Big Easy and Sunny…..with those two guys like him, you know he is a sold guy and will make a great Tomcat.

Favourite golfer…

John Daly 

Favorite golf ball…

Free

Favorite hockey player … Terry O’Rielly 

Favorite hockey player present …. Marchand 

Favorite band …. 

Ozzy Ozbourne 

Favorite movie….

Unforgiven / Shawshank redemption 

Favorite high school moment … banging the principal’s daughter on prom night. 

What I would do fir tomcats … score goals 

Favorite Tomcat … 

John”Hatchiemoe” Hatch 

Favorite moment … reading the article on you guys. 

Other things I want other Tomcats to know about me….

I like to drink more than 2 beers. 

Pictured Below, Big Easy, Hatchie and Scully

Meet Scuz:

Favourite Golfer / Athlete: Tiger woods / Bruce Smith

favourite Golf ball (if you are a golfer) if not a golfer, your favourite sporting memory: Top Flite Z-balata

favourite hockey player growing up: Patrick Roy, Mario Lemieux

favourite present day hockey player:Brendan Gallagher

favourite band(s): the Beatles,, tragically hip

favourite movie(s): the departed, police academy

A highlight from High School:graduating

If you could do on thing for the Tomcats, what would you do:  be more available on tues. Or help out with events

favourite Tomcat:  all of them (If not a valid answer…snowpants & Stevo

Favourite Tomcat Moment: drinking from Stanley’s cup

One thing you would like other Tomcats to know about you: that I don’t like to talk about myself

Nathan – Solstice 

Griffin – Helios

Favorite Athlete?

N- LeBron James and the Greek Freak

G-  Dak Prescott

Favorite Sports Memory?

N- playing in the OHL CUP in Midget Minor against guys that went on to the OHL, World Juniors and drafted to the NHL.

G- winning my first gold in Division A Lacrosse with my Warlock teammates and friends in my last year of minor lacrosse

Favorite Athlete Growing Up?

N- Jarome Iginla

G- Sidney Crosby

Favorite Present Day Athlete?

N- Auston Matthews

G- Auston Matthews

Favorite Band/ Singer-?

N- Chris Stapleton

G- Juice Wrld

Favorite Movie-?

N- Wolf Of Wall Street

G- The Blind Side

Favorite High School Memory?

N- Getting a lacrosse scholarship to Kiski in Pennsylvania with two lifelong friends and meeting people from all over the world.

G- Achieving Honors every year. Meeting new friends and playing Football.

What would you do for the Tomcats?

N- Bring beer and learn from these wise men, soak up the knowledge!

G- Bring beer and food for the boys. Take care of their equipment. Maybe let them be the first group I ever have a full beer with!

Favorite Tomcat?

N- Of course my dad, Sunny! Soupy is my cousin and I’ve known Lovie and La Bamba since I was sure kid! Honestly all the Tomcats are cool!

G- My dad, Sunny! I like to eat! Soupy, Lovie and La Bamba are up there. Stevo is cool and all the Tomcats are awesome!

Favorite Tomcat Moment?

N- Watching my dad and Matador go at it and the feel bad about it. Showed me that you can get upset but this group is tight and they all like and care about eachohther. That’s friendship.

G- Getting my pic with the Tomcat jersey and playing on the same team as my dad and brother.

Something you want the Tomcats to know about you?

N- that I’m easy going and like to have fun. I appreciate the Tomcats letting me come out and I don’t have my dad’s little man rage! Also, that I’ll always be thankful that I have supportive, loving parents and brother.

G- I’m not a drinker and never smoked a joint. I’m calmer than my dad but am more competitive than people think. My parents are awesome and I don’t care what people think I tell them I love them everyday.

by Harry Ballsonue

A fantastic day was had by all at Sutton Creek Golf And Country club by the Windsor Tomcats, this year‘s champion was Big Easy, “I’m humbled by winning this event this year there’s so many great golfers here today and to win this means everything.  I thank Snowpants and the Tomcat organization for allowing me to be a part of this. I thank my wife Sweet Feet and my two beautiful daughters…without them…I’m not the person I am ….here today…in front of you,” Said Big Easy weeping openly. 

Snowpants The minister of golf, clean floors and pyrotechnics once again did not disappoint …doing a super job organizing the event. 

First time participant Jingles had this to say ..” although I loved playing I’m a bit disappointed that there were no fireworks…all these years I’ve heard of great fireworks put on by Snowpants.”

Franchise Tomcat Crispy participated this year…always great to see everybody,“ indicated Crispy.

“With the pandemic it certainly is a wonderful thing to have some of the Tomcats together…(holding back tears) if you did not play this year you missed out on a very good time,” said The Rake.

After the golf…Tomcats were allowed to sit – four at a table.. and Snowpants conducted the ceremony. Thanks to Chevy, everyone got a sleeve of golf balls, very generous…Thank you Chevy!

And…in case you were wondering…yes the Tomcats Forever song was sung to its fullest!

I always love covering this event and Snowpants wanted me to say ‘Thanks to everyone who participated.’

Although Rain was being called for and a few drops fell…the day was perfect..it just goes to show you it never rains at a Tomcat event.

While you are checking out the photos…do you think I could put my Harry Ballsonue?

Meet Bundura

Your Favourite Golfer / Athlete: Bobby Orr

Your favourite Golf ball (if you are a golfer) if not a golfer, your favourite sporting memory: Bridgestone

Your favourite hockey player growing up: Bobby Orr

Your favourite present day hockey player: Nathan McKinnon

Your favourite band(s): Black Sabbath, Rush and Aerosmith

Your favourite movie(s): Back to School, Remember the Titans and Rudy

A highlight from High School: Friday Night Dances

If you could do one thing for the Tomcats, what would you do: Buy a private Golf Course for the Tomcats and guests

Your favourite Tomcat: Sparky

Your Favourite Tomcat Moment: Every gathering we have

One thing you would like other Tomcats to know about you: I am very family orientated and enjoy getting together for a BBQ and beers with family and friends

Meet The Turk:

Your Favourite Golfer / Athlete: Larry Laoretti

Your favourite Golf ball (if you are a golfer) if not a golfer, your favourite sporting memory: Titliest ProV1

Your favourite hockey player growing up: Jean Beliveau

Your favourite present day hockey player: Carey Price

Your favourite band(s): Doobie Brothers

Your favourite movie(s): Blazing Saddles

A highlight from High School: Friday afternoon football games

If you could do one thing for the Tomcats, what would you do: Keep playing

Your favourite Tomcat: The Legend

Your Favourite Tomcat Moment: Winning Stanley’s Cup with the Windsor Mets

One thing you would like other Tomcats to know about you: I have no secrets

June 7, 2021

By Chuck Fina

The Gordon’s Gin League tour was out at the Belle View Golf and Country Club on June 7, 2021.  Hollywood, May Day, Chevy, Hatchy, Sea Lion, Bundura, The Howler and Little Bird were on hand grappling with the always tough Belle View course.

Usually, there are one or two decent story lines I can write about but this week, it would take several hours to get everything down. This week, I decided to go with just headlines.

1. Hollywood hires Hatchy to be Vice-President of his Pool and Hot Tub Company.
2. Sea Lion barricades himself inside pharmacy claiming he had an appointment to get his second AZ shot but escapes from custody to make his tee time.
3. Chevy suspended by Belle View for 60 days and fined $20,000.00 for hitting golfers ahead of him with his monstrous drives.
4. Chevy feels bad, buys victims a round.
5. Stevo off the grid this week but sent a text to his 1564 contacts saying he is off the grid this week.
6. Little Bird has cooler confiscated. Police called, Little Bird arrested.
7. May Day gets his second AZ shot while the Sea Lion barricades himself in pharmacy.
8. Stevo will send a text to 1564 contacts when he is back on the grid.
9. Cribzee comes in late, misses out.
10. Bundura’s truck seen fleeing pharmacy with the Sea Lion in the bed of his pick-up truck.
11. The Gordon’s Gin League will not return to Belle View until Chevy’s suspension is over.
12. Hollywood plays 17. “There are only 17 holes on a Ukrainian golf course”.
13. Has anybody seen Hurricane?
14. The Montreal Canadiens eliminated more teams in one week than the Toronto Maple Leafs have eliminated in 17 years.
15. Chevy still feels bad. He is buying all Windsor Tomcats memberships to Pointe West.

Players are reminded to text may day by noon Wednesday if you want in for the following Monday.

Meet Lovie

Favourite Golfer / Athlete: Mike Weir, Masters champion and classy guy

Favourite Golf ball (if you are a golfer) if not a golfer, your favourite sporting memory: I will do both. Despite being unable to hit them well I like the Titleist Pro V, but may as well hit rocks as I have no feel anyway. My favourite sporting memory is tied between winning a provincial championship in hockey and winning Division 3, 2 and then 1 in successive years to get to the London Premiere league with Sunny and our Petrolia boys. Bunch of farmers climbed to the top amateur level of soccer and we had tons of fun doing it

Your favourite hockey player growing up: I am a huge Rick Tocchet fan. Tough, skilled and worked his ass off every shift. Timely goals and fights were his specialty

Your favourite present day hockey player: McDavid is incredible to watch, have worlds of respect for Bergeron and love watching Panarin even though he is usually sticking it up the Flyers ass…

Your favourite band(s): In order: Ghost Crossing, Beatles, Stones, Petty, Radiohead

Your favourite movie(s): Godfather 1 and 2, Good Fellas, Silence of the Lambs, Fantastic Mr. Fox

A highlight from High School: Great time at a Christmas dance one year. Partied at Sunny’s place and shared a 40 of vodka with him (while he was working, may have gone a bit over my half…). Made out with a fantastic gal at the party in his bathtub and got a handy in the doorway of a local elementary school on the way to the high school. Freezing cold. Pants down around my ankles, ass was probably seen by everyone going to the dance. Johnny pounded his booze quickly after work and got nabbed at the doorway on his way in and got suspended…good times…

If you could do one thing for the Tomcats, what would you do: Minister of Collaboration. I miss hanging out with you guys and would like to get together once in a blue moon. Maybe another Zoom call with the boys for now, would like to move on to group lunches/get-togethers every once in a while. I miss meeting for Thursday lunches with the guys at Rock Bottom or Hurricanes. We have such a good thing going, I don’t want to lose it

Your favourite Tomcat: Wow, really an unanswerable question. So may great people. Sunny, Stevo, Doc, Rocky, Cribz, Soupy, Chico, Jingles, Bulldog, Chevy, Snowpants, Falcon, Kamikaze, Razor, Louis… Gotta go with Hollywood! We have had many deep discussions on that stage. Generally, we would realize that everyone else is gone, get our pants on and go…

Your Favourite Tomcat Moment: Drinks and shots at Purples when we used to go regularly after stage drinks…also after the annual tournament. Such great times. BTW, anybody want the front end of that car I took from the bar?

One thing you would like other Tomcats to know about you: I spend my summers in Rangoon, had a nursemaid named Helga. Also have a deep knowledge of the Harry Styles library from driving my girls and their friends back and forth from hockey. Favourite song is Adore You…

Meet Bulldog

Your Favourite Golfer / Athlete: Mike Weir

Your favourite Golf ball (if you are a golfer) if not a golfer, your favourite sporting memory: Titlest

Your favourite hockey player growing up: Steve Yzerman

Your favourite present day hockey player: Conner McDavid

Your favourite band(s): Brian Setzer, Beatles, Eagles

Your favourite movie(s): Dumb and Dumber- I laugh every time

A highlight from High School: Making out with Molly Ringwald

Your favourite Tomcat: Gotta be Sunny but there are many close seconds

Your Favourite Tomcat Moment: “I almost fell”

One thing you would like other Tomcats to know about you: I am now Dr. Bulldog (Doctorate of Educational Leadership)

From Snowpants, the Minister of Golf:

“We have reached our max, guys who have not got back to me I am sorry, but you have had time to let me know and you didn’t so I had to run with what we know, hope you understand.  This flight is taking off and we can’t wait for any passengers who are not already on board.” 
“Tower to Tomcat One, you have clearance for take off”

June 19, Sutton Creek: Groupings and times, be there 20 minutes ahead of your tee off time.
10:04 Tiny, Matador, Tunzie and Snowpants

10:12 May Day, Sea Lion, Chevy and Crispy

10:20 Stevo, Big Poppa, Big Easy and La Bamba

10:28 The Turk, Bagz, Sparky and The Sheepdog

10:34 Sunny, Scully, Soupy and Hatchie

10:42 The Rake, Killer, Jingles and Tonto

10:50 Junior, Larry, Curly and Cole

NO After party. Unless something changes by June 12. We will keep you posted.
Minister of Golf, Pyrotechnics and Shiny Floors

May 31, 2021

By Chuck Fina

The Gordon’s Gin league returned to league play on May 31, 2021 after the most recent ridiculous lock down by Bubba Ford.  Cribzee was his usual stylin’, profilin’ and limousine ridin’ self. His driver took up two parking spots for his car and Cribzee again was clearly the best dressed player on tour. “ I usually take three or four spots but I only bought 2 parking passes for the season”, said Cribzee.

Other players on hand were May Day, Stevo, Mr. Bundura, The Big Easy, Chevy, Sea Lion and Hatchie.

Chevy, Cribzee, Stevo and Mr. Bundura were in the first group and May Day, The Sea Lion, The Big Easy and Hatchie were in the second four some. Interestingly enough, the first group completed their round in 3 hours, 6 minutes ( with 2 guys walking) while the second group completed their round in 6 hours, 3 minutes with all players riding.

“I don’t like going 1 minute over a 4-hour round”, said Commissioner May Day. The league is encouraging players to pay their rounds within 4 hours.

 After the round , May Day was looking for Stevo, who rode with May Day to the course so he could give Stevo a ride home. “ I actually picked Stevo up in Gesto. He decided to start walking back to Essex after his round was over”, said May Day. “ I should have left my clubs at May Day’s car. By the time I got to Gesto, I was going to start selling my clubs one at a time at the side of the road to make my golf bag lighter. But then May Day finally showed up and picked me up”, said Stevo. “ I was just glad I got home by the start of the third period”, said May Day.

Scores were May Day 105, Hatchie, 78, Big Easy 69, Sea Lion 72, Stevo 71, Mr. Bundura 72, Chevy 73, and Cribzee 75.

Be sure to text May Day by Wednesday at noon if you want in for the following Monday.

Meet Razor:

Your Favourite Athlete: Andre The Giant

Your favourite Golf ball: Penfold-type used by James Bond in the 1964 classic “Goldfinger”

Your favourite hockey player growing up:  Yvan Cournoyer

Your favourite present day hockey player: Manon Rheaume

Your favourite bands: The Eagles, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The Black Crows

Your favourite movies: The Falcon and the Snowman, Rocky, LaBamba

A highlight from High School:  Inseminating the Home Ec. teacher

If you could do one thing for the Tomcats, what would you do: Clone Stevo

Your favourite Tomcat: The Rake (because we look so much alike)

Your Favourite Tomcat Moment:   Singing ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President’ to Stevo.

One thing you would like other Tomcats to know about you:   While I was singing to Steve, I was secretly hoping he would rip off my towel.

Meet Youngblood:

Your Favourite Golfer / Athlete: John Daly. I don’t know anything about golf, but I do know when it would be fun to have a beer with somebody.

Your favourite Golf ball (if you are a golfer) if not a golfer, your favourite sporting memory: The Golden Goal

Your favourite hockey player growing up: Steve Yzerman. Calm, objective, decisive.

Your favourite present day hockey player: Sidney Crosby. C’mon, even Brad Marchand likes him when he is winning Canada gold medals.

Your favourite band(s): Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, The White Stripes, Pink Floyd, The Pogues.

Your favourite movie(s): Moneyball, Rounders, Good Will Hunting

A highlight from High School: Semester of two spares, religion, and ‘earth science’.

If you could do one thing for the Tomcats, what would you do: Create an endowment to future-proof operations. Enough interest generated to fund 1 bonus case of beer a week. Though I hear the Tomcats are already well endowed enough… 

Your favourite Tomcat: Stevo, Lovey, Sparky, too many to name. Grit, brotherhood, and loyalty. Story: about 5 years ago I was about to move. While having ‘Pops’ on stage, Lovey offers to help me move. Move! I mean, according to stand-up comedy there is no greater gift in male bonding. Of course, I gave my ‘thanks but no worries’ routine, but not because there was any trace of disingenuousness in the offer. It’s that selfless and generous kinship that one first benefits from then learns to give others, via the Tomcats.

Your Favourite Tomcat Moment: Stevo life advice on the stage. Never hurts to have an emergency $20 in your wallet. Truer words never spoken. Though, we should adjust for inflation.

One thing you would like other Tomcats to know about you: That I appreciate all the effort and long-term dedication put into the organization. Accomplishing something like the Tomcats requires an asymmetrical input of effort. The Tomcats are a Windsor gem. Truly a thread in the fabric of Canada’s culture. I wish I could be there more, but just knowing that the Tomcats are forever is solace enough. Would also help if I weren’t so out of shape that I got sick during every game.

Meet Tunzie:

Favourite Golfer: Hideki Matsuyama. He consistently puts up good scores and helps me win money online.

Favourite Golf Ball: Nike One Platinum. The ball Tiger was using while he dominated the PGA and every cocktail waitress he could get his hands on.

Favourite Hockey Player Growing Up: Patrick Roy

Favourite Player Today: Don’t have one. There are so many talented players I enjoy watching these days.

Favourite Movie: Dazed and Confused

Favourite Band: Soundgarden. I was hooked after discovering their Badmotorfinger and Superunknown albums as a youngster, and saw them for the first time in 1996 (13 years old) at the Palace of Auburn Hills. I’m a huge fan of Chris Cornell and have seen him in concert about 15 times over the years. Sadly, he died hours after the last Soundgarden concert I attended in 2017.

Highlight from High School: Every weekend was a party and a highlight in itself.

If there was something you could do for the Tomcats, what would it be?

I would move the ice machine to the stage area of the Kapusta so the boys wouldn’t have to haul full buckets from the basement.

Favourite Tomcat: There are so many great people that I’ve met over the years since becoming a member of the Club. I appreciate all the players that make me work hard and don’t hit me in the face.

Favourite Tomcat Moment: Winning my first (and still only) Stanley’s Cup, and getting covered in beer as I drank from it. Just knowing that I had a spare set of clothes and dry underwear waiting for me on the stage was just as sweet as the win.

Meet Oggie:

Favourite Golfer / Athlete: I thought I knew who my idol was, that was until the day I saw The Falcon play for the first time. The Falcon was a wonder to watch on that floor, the way he moved from side to side was like watching Fred Astaire dance. In the 1983 NHL Entry draft the Buffalo Sabres made a fourth round (#74 overall) for Daren Puppa, they should have picked The Falcon!

Favourite Golf ball (if you are a golfer) if not a golfer, your favourite sporting memory:  There are too many great golf balls out there to pick a favourite. So, on to my favourite sporting memory.

Now some of you may or may not know that The Matador and I have a history before our time as members of the Tomcats.

During my development years I spent a season learning form The Matador and a crew of wise gentlemen who showed me only the best examples of how to play the game both on and off the ice. My time under their tutelage helped develop me into the man I am today. And one of the defining moments was in Belle River, at the old Arena. A battle was being fought on the ice between two rivals, fighting for a place in hockey history. It was game 3 in the third round of the all-Ontario playoffs. When the horn sounded on the end of the second period, no one could have expected what was to happen next.

As the teams made their way to their respective dressing rooms words were exchanged, as is customary in sport. Well, one particular gentlemen to exception to this custom. The gentlemen whom was tasked with running the clock for the game, stepped out of his office and began to shout unpleasant and rather distasteful things at us, group of well brought up young men. As his verbal bombardment continued, it was suggested that he have a seat and take a deep breath and before saying anything else to consider what he would accomplish by using foul language towards a group of young men. Well it seems that the gentlemen did not take kindly to being given directions, so instead of taking a deep breath and calming the situation, he made the rather poor choice to take several steps forward towards us. It was at this moment, The Matador and the rest of the coaching staff came to the aid of their flock. Like a wild mother goose protecting her nest from prey, or golfers, The Matador and crew swooped in and ensured the safety of their young. Needless to say that poor gentlemen made a regretful life choice that day and I am sure the imprints of “100% fine Italian leather” are still etched into his forehead.

Favourite hockey player growing up:  While growing up Ron Tugnutt was everything I wanted to be.

Favourite present day hockey player:  I’d have to say that presently Jaromír Jágr would have to be my favourite player. If anyone embodies the values of what being a Tomcat is, it is him.

Favourite band(s): Hands down it has to be Ghost Crossing, though an honourable mention has to go out the Ukrainian Bandura Chorus. Also, the Stefan Jaworiwsky solo album is on my all-time party playlist!

Favourite movie(s):  I shouldn’t have to say it. But I will the 1977 American sports comedy film directed by George Roy Hill, written by Nancy Dowd and starring Paul Newman and Michael Ontkean. Slapshot.

A highlight from High School:  Using The Matador’s expired drivers licence to get a lap dance at one of southwestern Ontario’s finest gentlemen’s clubs at the tender age of just 16. The lovely lady even requested Stairway to Heaven so that we could enjoy our time together just a bit longer. It’s a good thing I remembered his middle name Charbel. 

If you could do one thing for the Tomcats, what would you do:  Go back to school, become a doctor and discover a cure to end all sickness in the world, just so the Tomcats could be together again.

Your favourite Tomcat:  It has to be the man who brought me into this world, the Tomcats world that is. My favorite bruder in law Hollywood. But seriously, how can you pick a favourite with gems like: Uncle Sparky, Doc, Lovey, Snowpants, Razor, Soupy, Kamikaze, The Danish, Sheep Dog, Tunzie, Chico, Beep, Hurricane, Bulldog, Stevo, Jingles, The Rake, Chevy, Skippy, Rocky, Killer, Cribzie, The Turk, Sunny and so many more! 

Your Favourite Tomcat Moment:  The 2013 Christmas bash at Rock Bottoms. There was a lot happening that night, but nothing put a cherry on top like Lovey laying pipe in the bathroom.

One thing you would like other Tomcats to know about you:  Simply that I miss you all, greatly. Hoping to make an appearance in the 2022 season. Tomcats Forever!