Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1250313
"Craig really enjoyed working with juniors and did a lot to develop the junior program at Rossmere," Tresoor says. "We wanted to continue on with that legacy and make sure we honoured it appropriately." Funding for the scholarship is provided through a charitable golf day and social that is held annually at Rossmere. This year's event has yet to be scheduled because of the pandemic. The scholarship is adminis- tered through the Golf Manitoba Scholar- ship Fund (GMSF), a registered charity that has provided more than $205,000 in schol- arships throughout Manitoba and North- western Ontario since 1986. Ryan Del Bigio, who worked as Yahiro's assis- tant pro between 2006 and '11 and now sits on Rossmere's board of directors, says he couldn't think of a better way to honour the memory of his friend and former mentor. "He was the best boss in the world. His staff meant everything in the world to him. We were like one big family," Del Bigio re- calls. "Every single person he met he always made you feel really important. He was al- ways interested in what you had to say." While Yahiro might have been humble about his many accomplishments, they did not go unnoticed. In 2009 he was he was named Manitoba Golf Professional of the Year by the PGA of Canada. "I think what made him such a great teacher was he was so easy-going," Del Bigio says. "You would always feel he was genuinely interested in you as a person and not just as a student of golf. There are some in- structors who look at every lesson as just another paycheque. With Craig it wasn't like that. He was genuinely interested in you and genuinely cared about you." Over the years, Yahiro tutored thousands of golfers here in Manitoba as well as in Phoenix, where he spent his winters and worked part-time as an assistant pro at an area golf course. On one memorable day in Phoenix, the head pro at the club where he worked told Yahiro he had a lesson with someone named Alice and to head out to the practice range. He returned to the pro shop a few minutes later saying he didn't see any women outside. The pro informed him the Alice in ques- tion was rock star Alice Cooper. The two soon formed an unlikely friendship. Yahiro caddied for Cooper at several PGA pro-am events, including the Bob Hope Open, and they would golf together at Rossmere when- ever Cooper played a show in Winnipeg. When Cooper played here in 2018 he dedi- cated the show to his late friend. "I don't know what it was," Tresoor says. "They just kind of clicked." Yahiro's family and friends hope to see the Craig Yahiro Memorial Scholarship con- tinue to be offered to young golfers well into the future. And while the modest man it honours of might be a little embarrassed by the at- tention of having his name attached to it, Tresoor says she has no doubt her brother would be fully supportive of its goal. "He would be proud that his name is on the scholarship and that it's supporting young people who are living their dream in terms of education and trying to pursue their inter- est in golf." For more information on the Craig Yahiro Memorial Scholarship visit http://golfmb. ca/scholarship/. Home of the Par 6 TWO FOR ONE/ REGULAR RATES Valid anytime. Must bring in coupon. Not valid with other coupons or promotions. Expiry date: Oct. 31, 2020. TOURNAMENTS WELCOME 18 Holes Licensed Clubhouse La Broquerie, MB | 1-204-424-5046 Toll Free: 1-888-424-5046 Book tee times online: www.lavgolf.ca 2020 SPECIALS (Excludes Holidays) MONDAY 18 HOLES $ 20 walking | $ 30 with cart WEDNESDAYS 18 HOLES $ 20 walking | $ 35 with cart FRIDAY TWILIGHT @2:00 PM $ 20 walking | $ 28 with cart Buy 1 round of Golf and receive 1 round FREE With this coupon! WESTMAN'S FINEST GREENS! STAYCATION Email grady@wheatcitygolf.com FOR AVAILABLE DATES AND TEE TIMES GOLD MEDAL Best Golf Course – Westman 2020 COUPLES & INDIVIDUAL STAY & PLAY at Wheat City Golf Course & Shilo Country Club Packages include 2 rounds each of golf with carts and a 1 night stay at the Victoria Inn Brandon. Must be a Manitoba resident. Based on availability taxes not included. Covid 19 questions asked at time of booking. COUPLES OCCUPANCY MID WEEK $ 279 SINGLE OCCUPANCY MID WEEK $ 189 WEEKEND RATES COUPLES $ 299 SINGLE $ 199 07 GOLF GUIDE 2020 M A N I T O B A "He always made you feel really important. He was always interested in what you had to say." – Ryan Del Bigio