Pictured, from left, are Over The Hill Gang members Carlos Ramirez, Dave Nickel, Bobby Gunter, and Tom D’Amato. Photo by Harland Newby.On August 24, the few remaining members of the Canyon Lake Over The Hill Gang played their final golf game. Founded in 1984, the Over the Hill Gang has hosted a variety of golf games every Monday at the country club for the past 36 years.
The club limited its membership to 24 players and there was always a waiting list of golfers wanting to join. When a spot opened up, potential members needed to be nominated by an existing member. A vote was taken if there were multiple nominations.
“The really fun part of the Over The Hill Gang was that there were three picnics and a Christmas dinner each year where the players and their wives got together for some socializing off the golf course,” said member Bobby Gunter. “Back in the day, the Christmas dinner was hosted by one of the members but it eventually moved to the Country Club.”
Ron Decker prepared the food for the picnics for more than 20 years before the task was handed over to Gunter last year. This year, the picnics and dinners were canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2010, the management of the Over The Hill Gang was taken over by Norm Morrissette and Carlos Ramirez. “They did a great job organizing the games and running the club,” said Gunter.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, illnesses, the passing of members, and member relocations, the Over The Hill Gang membership fell to a level that led to the decision to disband the club. Reflecting on his years in the club, Gunter said, “The club had a great run and a lifetime of memories were generated over the years, the stuff life is made of. Long Live the Over the Hill Gang.”
Chair Norm Morrissette and Co-Chair Carlos Ramirez would like to thank the staff at the golf shop and county club for their support through the years.
