In the 1970’s and 1980’s young Kingston golfers had the opportunity to win this prestigious junior golf tournament that was hosted each year by Max Jackson – a Kingston sports icon.

Many Kingston teens will have fond memories of teeing it up at the Max Jackson CKWS Junior Golf Classic that ran from 1970 to 1993.

In those days for a young Kingston golfer it was a real badge of honour to win this prestigious tournament and to have a Kingston sports legend present you with the championship trophy. A moment any kid would always remember.

For almost 25 years Max Jackson, the iconic CKWS sportscaster, gave young golfers from this area a chance to play in an organized tournament where players of every caliber were welcome to participate.

They competed in Bantam, Junior, Juvenile and Girl’s divisions. For most local kids it would be the only golf tournament they would get to play in and it was a huge part of the draw of the event.

The tournament began in the summer of 1970, Cataraqui’s Mike Adlam won the inaugural event beating Bob Russell on the first playoff hole at the Glen Lawrence Golf Club.

Here a few highlights from some of those early years of the tournament;  

In 1975, 17-year-old Terry Corbin of Cataraqui,  son of course superintendent Bob Corbin, battled windy conditions on his home course shooting a 74 to win the Jackson Classic.

in 1977 at Glen Lawrence, Cataraqui’s Bill Leacy carded a 74 that held up for the win.

In 1980 the Crowe brothers swept the event.  Dave Crowe shot a 72 to win the Junior championship and his brother Doug Crowe had a 73 to win the Juvenile crown at Camden Braes.

Older brother Bill Crowe won the Max Jackson Junior Classic in 1973. As a sixteen-year old he fired a 69 at Glen Lawrence. Bill’s caddy that day was Rick Hession, who was also his boss – owner of the local McDonald’s Restaurant where Crowe worked.  

In 1982 Doug Crowe and Rob Zarichny both of Cataraqui shot 73’s and went to a playoff. Zarichny won it on the first extra hole.    

There was a four-way tie for the lead in 1983. David Casey of Camden Braes, John McCulloch (Amherstview), Rob Zarichny and Doug Crowe – both of Cataraqui all shot 75. David Casey won it with an eagle on the first extra hole.     

The final year for the tournament was in 1993 at Camden Braes. Bay of Quinte’s Rob Couture shot a 71 and beat Cataraqui’s Chad Buchanan on the second playoff hole for the win. It was Couture’s third victory of the season on the St. Lawrence Junior Golf Tour and the Trenton, ON high school student qualified for the Ontario Junior Golf Championship.

I saw firsthand the work Max Jackson put into this event.

Max organized it, handled the registrations and the draw, was the official scorekeeper, the announcer, secured the prizes and often spent money out of his own pocket to make it happen.

Just one more reason the great Max Jackson is remembered as a Kingston sports legend.

Jackson died in 2001. He is a member of the Kingston & District Sports Hall of Fame (1997 inductee) and will be inducted into the Queen’s Football Hall of Fame next month.  

Mark Potter worked alongside Max Jackson in the early 1980’s at CKWS-TV. Potter grew up listening to and watching Max’s sports broadcasts. Never dreaming he would ultimately take over when Max retired from CKWS.