40th Anniversary Season

Three principles guided our approach to the GOBs 40th Anniversary season(2023):

• Honor Our Legacy
• Respect GOBs History
• Celebrate Organizational Progress

These principles formed the foundation for a season-long commemoration recognizing four key stakeholders:

• Members–each Member was presented with a tennis towel with the new green and yellow GOBs logo, ‘1983’ and ’40th Anniversary’ embroidered on it.
• Club GMs–each GM/Commodore was presented with a framed Certificate of Appreciation with the Club’s name, signed by both Jim McGuire and Dick Paterniti, President and Vice President, and the words:
  “In recognition of your commitment and dedication as a partner of the Good Old Boys providing unique tennis programming to seniors since 1983.”
• Club Head Pros–each Head Pro was presented with a plaque reflecting their Club’s name, also signed by Jim and Dick: with the following words:
  “For your dedication and commitment to providing unique tennis programming in partnership with the Good Old Boys since 1983.”
• Community–Our Members have much to contribute to the community so it was decided we would partner with Grassroots Tennis & Education to make a difference in the lives of youngsters through our mutual passion for tennis. We hosted the inaugural Arthur J. Goldblatt Tennis Tournament (Art was the Founder of Grassroots and a member of the GOBs) and raised over $3000 for Grassroots and coordinated business donations.

CELEBRATION DINNER

The 40th Anniversary season was capped with a Celebration Dinner held at Stamford Yacht Club on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 and was attended by over 100 members and guests. It was a glorious event, which captured the history and promise of the GOBs. The Dinner’s Program included the following:

• The Founder of the GOBs, Alex Kelso Reddin, was represented at the dinner by his son, Sandy.
• Three children of former GOBs members were in attendance and shared how much each of their Dads enjoyed the GOBs:

Scott Bounty–son of Ralph Bounty, recalled his father’s active role, as one of the original 39 members and a founder of the Roxbury Swim & Tennis Club.

Debby Yacenda–daughter of Bob Negele, who was a member of the Milbrook Club and a past President of the GOBs, spoke warmly of her father’s dedication to the GOBs.

Ken von Kohorn–son of Henry von Kohorn, member of The Stanwich Club, shared his memories of his father’s interest in the GOBs.

RECOGNITION PRESENTATIONS

Golden Circle – The inaugural class of the Golden Circle was announced by Jim McGuire. Induction into the Golden Circle is bestowed on those members who have carried forward the legacy of the GOBs by their pro-active participation over an extended period of time. The inaugural class of the Golden Circle follows:

• Jim Ardrey–Stanwich Club
• Ian Duncan–Country Club of Darien
• Ron Friedman–Bailiwick Club
• Bill Gaillard–Greenwich Country Club
• Bill Howland–Riverside Yacht Club
• Bob Hurwich–Roxbury Swim & Tennis Club
• Jim Kelly–Woodway Country Club
• Jim LIsher–Lake Club
• Lew Marino–Shore & Country Club
• Sam Marasso–Innis Arden
• Pat Morgan–Lake Club
• Randy Motland–Greenwich Country Club
• Dick Paterniti–Middlesex Club
• Bill Ross–Middlesex Club
• Fritz Schweitzer–Stamford Yacht Club
• Roger Smith–Woodway Country Club
• Steve Stein–Milbrook Club
• John Theall–Shore & Country Club
• Tom West–Belle Haven Club

President’s Award – Jim Kelly, a current Executive Committee Member, was presented with the President’s Award by Jim McGuire. This award recognizes an individual’s dedication and contribution to improving the functioning of the GOBs. Jim was very involved with the coordination of the GOBs 40th Anniversary activities, including planning and organizing the Celebration Dinner.

Alex Kelso Reddin Founder’s Award – Jim McGuire, President of the GOBs, was presented with the Alex Kelso Reddin Founder’s Award by both Tom West and Sandy Reddin. This award recognizes an individual who has made extraordinary contributions of time and effort to the GOBs. Since taking over the President’s role in 2019, Jim has elevated both the stature and the image of the GOBs, as well as its operational efficiency.