The Brothers and Sisters Invitational

Like most organizations, what all of us recognize as "The Brothers Invitational Golf Tournament," began very small. During the early 1960's several Northeastern Conference workers would reserve Mondays to relax together on the golf course.

After busy Sabbath schedules and Sunday night evangelistic meetings in our local churches, we would retreat to our cabins at Victory Lake Camp in Hyde Park, New York, and play golf all day Monday. We looked forward each week to the fellowship and friendly rivalry. We believe that these periods and relaxation helped us to bear up under the burdens of ministry more effectively.

When the long winters of New York wet in, the camaraderie that we enjoyed on the golf courses was sorely missed. Eventually, someone suggested that the golfers take a two week vacation to Florida, following the January Workers Meetings. Two carloads traveled to Miami where we met the local pastor, R. W. Woodfork, and Southern Union Conference Evangelist C. B. Rock, who was in town for meetings. They joined us in chasing that little white ball around LeJeune Golf Course for several days.

The first tournament in which records were kept, and trophies given to low scores was at LeJeune in 1968. It just happened that your humble servant, Bob Carter, won first place.

The Northeastern workers enjoyed that experience so much, we decided to plan a tournament among ourselves at Dinsmore Golf Course, following the September Worker's Meeting in 1969. We called it the Northeastern Fall Classic.The participants in the that first Classic were: Everett Alexander, Brooks, Robert H. Carter, George R. Earle, Gilbert Foster, John Guy, S.A. Hutchins, S.O. James, Harold Kibble, and Harvey Kibble, Sr. Eventually, Garnett Riddick and Colin Brathwaite joined us. It is with a great deal of reluctance and humility that I mention that Bob Carter won that tournament, as well. He hasn't won any since then, however.

Word spread among workers in other conferences about the good times we were enjoying at Victory Lake. A number of them decided to join us each fall. There were housed and fed in the newly constructed Motel on the Victory Lake Campgrounds. Bennie Mann, Blbby Palmer, Ralph Hairston, Ralph Peay, Joe Hinson, Julian Williams and Gerald Wells were just a few of those who helped to swell the number in those early years. Eventually a member of laymen were invited to join us. Willie Moore and Ben Mitchell were among the first.

There was a sense of arrival when the member attending the Fall Classic reached thirty. But, each year the number increased. Several came from Bermuda. They were: John Carter, Howard Crockwell, David King, Willard Lowe, Bill Simmons & George Tucker.

With the appearance of players such as Willie Moore and Bennie Mann, you can understand why I didn't win any more tournaments. As the number of lay persons increased, the name of our tournament was changed to the "Brothers Invitational." After experiencing some early wintery weather at Hyde Park for a number of years, it was thought wise to move the event to a warmer climate. Bobby Palmer & Bennie Mann invited us to the Pine Forge, Pa. Area. We enjoyed hospitality and area courses for a few years.

By the time Gerald Wells invited us to the Miami area, our numbers had swelled greatly. Later, we visited Myrtle Beach a number of times and St. Augustine. Our Brothers from Bermuda hosted the tournament in their lovely Island in 1983 . We enjoyed their tremendous hospitality. The Port Royal Golf Course did not fail to test our golfing skills.

We must not fail to mention the excellent record-keeping of Leon Spears and Oliver Palmer and the financial wizardry of Larry Schalk, who helped our organization to get on solid financial footing.

There are many of you who went beyond the call of duty to help build this tournament into the strong organization that it is today. For this we all are grateful. For fear that I would slight someone if I attempt to name each one, permit me to refrain.

You perhaps would be interested in having before you a list of those who served as Commissioner. They are: Robert H. Carter, Bennie Mann, Gerald Wells, Lynn Ross, Oster Paul & Edward Pelote.

We believe that under the capable leadership of our present officer, "The Brothers and Sisters Invitational Golf Tournament" has yet to experience its best years.

These were the words that were expressed by the late great Robert H. Carter, Pastor and eternal member of The Brother's.