Dave Banting is well known in the community for his accomplishments as a professional hockey player, father, and businessman who helped finance and support the Lynbrook Golf Course clubhouse.
Every year, the Swarbrick-Serviss-Banting family returns to their hometown of Moose Jaw to hold a golf tournament in his memory.
Dave was a professional hockey player who played in Moose Jaw for much of his career. His education was paid for through the sport, and after his hockey career he went into finance.
“They needed to get things going so he used his finance background… He dealt with the banks and made sure everything was getting done. That’s why they put up the trophy in his honour,” Dave’s son Brent Banting explained.
Dave has a long history with the Lynbrook Golf Course. “Many of the members who have been here a while remember him when you mention his name,” Brent said.
Most members of the family were born in Moose Jaw, but as they grew older, they moved across the country and even overseas for a time. Now when they visit, they get together and drive around town sharing fond memories.
“One home our grandpa built in the 50s was sold six years ago. It stayed in the family until six years ago…” Brent recalled.
The Swarbrick Baseball Field located in Bell Park on the east end of town is another location they visit, and was named after their grandfather, Harry Swarbrick.
Moose Jaw holds a special place in their hearts. “Even though I grew up in Windsor, Ont., it (Moose Jaw) had such a major impact on my life and vice versa with these guys,” Rob Serviss said.
“Moose Jaw is a big part of my life,” added Terry Banting, another of Dave’s sons.
“All our roots are out here,” said Rob.
The golf tradition started three years ago when they returned for a memorial service for Rob’s mother.
“Three years before that, we came back for dad’s service, and we buried dad here. We haven’t seen Rob in 45 years, and we started a little golf tournament as a memorial for dad,” explained Terry.
“Mom and our other brother Bryan moved back to Moose Jaw two years ago, and so now we come back here. Last year we had a bunch of family here and decided to throw together the first annual Dave Banting Memorial Golf Classic,” said Brent.
The tournament is intended for family and friends of the family only. In a way, it’s akin to a family reunion, but less formal. “It’s really about connecting family again, under Dave Banting’s memory,” Rob explained.
The tournament focuses on Dave’s memory and for this reason, there is no major award for winning the game. “It’s best ball and it’s bragging rights more than anything,” confirmed Terry.
Dave Banting was also a golfer. On his 80th birthday, the club gave him a lifetime membership in honour of everything he did for the course.
When he passed, one of his close friends who also golfed at the club decided to make a trophy rather than the usual commemorative plaque or bench. The trophy is used by other groups and represents the super senior category, and since none of the family members who played are over the age of 70, they take pictures with it but don’t add their names.
The winner of this year’s tournament is the subject of some debate. Terry explained that the board of directors will have to discuss this, as some board members weren’t drinking the birdie juice, which is a rotational blend of spirits you take as a shot every time you score a birdie.
“If they were disqualified, then last year’s defending champs won again!” said Terry.
Everyone was happy with this year’s event. “We had like four or five birdies, plus an eagle, so it went pretty good,” Rob said.
“The highlight to me was on the seventh hole, par three,” Terry added. “My dad had a hole-in-one there. So today, I didn’t get a great shot — it went straight up, down, hit the cart path, and bounced, went up, but was about five or six feet from the hole. We figured, ‘well there’s dad watching’.”
Brent also had his highlight of the game on the seventh hole. “I hit a perfect shot straight up the flagpole way, but it landed about eight feet short, bounced, and was seven feet from the dip. It’s one of those shots I always want to hit but can never do on a par three. I looked up to the sky and said, 'thanks dad'.”
The family intends to keep improving the tournament and were already talking about next year. Maybe we can find a sponsor, like you win a free car if you score a hole-in-one!” Terry chuckled.
Sponsorship or not, the family plans to keep the tradition alive. “We’re hoping next year my son’s here, we’re hoping Bryan’s son comes out, Robbie’s son comes out, to get the next generation of family together, and back to Moose Jaw,” Terry said.
The Lynbrook Golf Course is located at 1525 Fourth Avenue Northwest and can be reached at 306-692-2838.
