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Page 7 West Vancouver Historical Society March 2005 The clubhouse of the Capilano Golf and Country Club stands on a plateau overlooking five fairways of what has become in a short time one of the famous golf courses of Canada. It is a two-storey, rough half-timber building of frame construction with reinforced concrete and native stone balconies and teiraces. The golf course comprises 165 acres of rolling country, generally wooded, at an elevation of from 350 to 650 feet above sea level. The length of the championship eighteen- hole course is 6800 yards from the back tee, and par is 71. Fairways are sown to New Zealand bent and fescue, and watered with an underground automatic sprinkling system, eliminating the need for hose. The greens are undulating and beautifully bunkered. There are also many examples of fine landscaping from green to tee. (Concludes on page JO) Honorary Commodore Don Thompson Speaks of the 2004 Victoria Classic Boat Festival Victoria Harbour September 3, 4, 5, 2004 At one time I wrote about the Festival as a steam boating participant; that is no longer a possibility so I wrote as a spectator. This year is a little more difficult, as I was asked to be this year’s Honorary Commodore, something that had never crossed my mind. I was honored to accept so this year’s report will be from a little different slant. Please bear with me; I’ll be as humble as I can! For Audrey and I the Festival started early Friday, Sept. 3, when we were picked up and driven to our naval base to board the steel-hulled sailing vessel, HMCS ORIOLE, a true classic. At 101 feet, she was built as a private yacht for Mr. G.H. Gooderham, Commodore of Toronto’s Royal Canadian Yacht Club, and launched in June of 1921 as ORIOLE IV. Taken over at the start of World War II by the Navy League of Canada, she was used to train sea cadets on the Great Lakes until 1949, moving to the east coast to train new entry seamen. Formally commissioned as HMCS ORIOLE in 1952, she sailed to the west coast m 1954 and since then has been continually employed in sail training on the pacific coastâ€"the longest- serving ship in our navy. In her training role, and as an ocean racer and as good will ambassador for Western Canada, HMCS ORIOLE has logged many thousands of kilometers. HMCS ORIOLE has no winches to ease the workload of handling sails. Crews consist of trainees working under the watchful eye of a small number of experienced seamen. All halyards, running backstays are rigged luff on luff to provide mechanical advantage. Trainees must pull their hearts out to sheet in the 2,500 square foot Genoa. It takes 15 hearty young people to handle the 42-foot long spinnaker poles and to trim the 7,700 square-foot spinnaker. Along with other invited guests, we left Esquimalt Harbour planning to do a little sailing on our way to Victoria Harbor, but with no wind we just drifted, enjoying the scenery, a cup of delicious chowder and the company of new friends. At 12 noon we pulled alongside the dock to be met by the acting Mayor of Victoria, Chris Colemen, and an old friend, and we officially opened the 27'*’ Annual Victoria Boat Festival, and followed this with lunch on board. No more official duties until a Judges’ meeting at 17:00 and then attend a wine and cheese reception at the Maritime Museum. By this time all the steamers were alongside the dock: CATALYST, COBURG QUEEN, HOTSPUR MOSQUITO MOSQUITO QUEEN, OESA, PASTIMES, ROSE, UNO. Saturday morning the steamers polished brass, entertained the many dock visitors, and in the afternoon took the annual Gorge Waterway Ciuise, anchored for the afternoon social and natter. Saturday evening they joined family and friends to help celebrate my 80'*’ Birthday, which I must say was “some Party!” [Don was born on September 4th, 1924, son of James Donald Thompson.] Sunday morning Audrey and I once more boarded ORIOLE and proceeded out of the harbour to anchor for the Sailpast, always taken first by the Steamboats. It was a wonderful experience to salute each one as they steamed past, with lots of whistle blowing to add to the occasion. Following the steamboats came some 70 other power, sail and pulling boats, and when these had all passed we were taken back to the harbour aboard TUSITALA. Yours Truly spent a good"bit of time resting so we were fresh for the Awards dinner Sunday evening. It was a sumptuous meal, just too many tasty items to mention, enjoyed by all. I had to make a short speech, followed by the presentation of awards.CATALYST won the Best Overall Steam, ROSE, Best Pocket Cruiser, and UNO came home with two prizes. Oldest Power Vessel and Best Costume. Most had hauled out late in the afternoon and wanted an early start Monday, so we said out “goodbye’s and see you next year! Certainly a different festival for me, but what an honour! Thanks to Malcolm Hicklenton for sending us the article.