Retired Doctor Delivers A Surprise To Senior Men’s Competitor
Dr. Noel Donnelly (L) And One Of His 'Deliveries' Andrew Pinette - Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf
By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf
WILLIAMS LAKE — When he returned to his childhood home to play in his first B.C. Senior Men’s Championship, Andrew Pinette figured he might see a few familiar faces. What he wasn’t expecting was to run into the man who brought him into the world 55 years ago.
Pinette was preparing to tee off in the first round of the championship at Williams Lake Golf & Tennis Club when he was approached by an elderly gentleman. “He comes up to me and says, ‘Say hi to your dad and, I delivered you,” Pinette said.
Dr. Noel Donnelly, now retired, is serving as a volunteer at the championship and is a longtime member of the club. “I knew his dad quite well and I play regularly with his uncle,” Donnelly said of Pinette, whose family left Williams Lake when Pinette was 16 and settled in the Metro Vancouver area.
All Pinette did after meeting the man who delivered him was go out and shoot a two-under 69 and grab the first-round lead. “I was delighted to hear he is playing well,” said Donnelly.
Pinette, a member of Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club, chuckled as he recalled his discussion with Donnelly. “He said to me, ‘And you’re 50 years old,’ and I had to say ‘no, I am 55. Don’t do the math!’ It was so good to see him.”
For the record, Donnelly is now 90 or as he puts it, “I am in the second half of 90. I can see the one at the end of the horizon.”
Donnelly is stationed behind the ninth green and helping out with tournament scoring. He still plays golf three or four times a week. “But only nine holes,” he said.
Donnelly retired more than 20 years ago, but has not slowed down. He built a 42-foot boat and sailed it to Hawaii. He took a break from golf and did considerable sailing up and down the B.C. coast before returning to the links.
Donnelly is the oldest active member at Williams Lake and the staff and fellow members love having him around the club.
“We actually just honoured Noel with a lifetime membership this year,” said pro shop staffer Brody Conroy. “He is a great guy to have around the club. He’s so positive and always cracking jokes.”