Willie, the “beloved soul mate” of Steve McCormick, golf course superintendent at Columbia CC in Chevy Chase, Md., was selected “Dog of the Year” at the 2009 Golf Industry Show. The 7-year-old German shorthaired pointer mix will receive the award posthumously following his death on Jan. 29 due to a malignant tumor.
“Willie was an absolute blessing to our family, our neighbors, and our friends and to the green staff and many members at Columbia,” McCormick said of Willie, who he and his wife, Jen, rescued from a shelter in St. Louis. “As many of us grieve our loss of Willie, what is undeniable is the incredibly blessed life that Willie had for almost eight years. He lived his life to the absolute fullest even up to his final hours.”
In addition to the $3,000 it annually awards the superintendent’s local chapter (Mid-Atlantic Association of Golf Course Superintendents) and $500 to the winning dog’s owner, LebanonTurf, who sponsors the award, will add $500 to defray medical expenses incurred while the McCormick’s fought the extremely aggressive form of cancer that attacked Willie’s spleen.
“Willie would have been very honored,” McCormick said. “Next to cuddling with my wife, the golf course was his absolute favorite place in the world. Knowing he was giving back to the place he loved so much would make him very happy.”
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.