CALLICOON – At first glance, the 44th Annual Sullivan County Democrat golf tournament resembled more of a reunion for family and old friends from high school. 

During this weekend, golfers returned to the area to participate in the tournament alongside their family and friends. For others, it’s simply a fantastic time spent with good friends and enjoying great golf. 

For everyone involved, this tournament serves as an institution – a touchstone for county residents, both past and present, to reconnect with their community in a personal way through their shared love of the game of golf.

Soon, everyone heads out to their first tee, and that’s when it changes; it’s serious now, it’s time to compete. The camaraderie is still there, they’re still having fun, but they also want to win. 

They want to play well for themselves and their partner, knowing that picking each other up and being encouraging will give them the best chance to win their match. 

The game of golf can be frustrating and maddening, but we’re all drawn to it for the individual challenge, and also, as in this tournament, the shared commitment to having a good time no matter what your score is. 

This tournament spans generations, its legacy reaching down into the past. Memories are shared, becoming richer with each telling. Championship rounds from five, ten, or thirty years ago become legendary as time passes. 

Shots made in those moments are compared to the greats like Jack and Lefty. Stories — whether about fish or golf — help us bond and share what matters. They honor those we’ve lost, celebrate living life fully, and reflect on overcoming challenges and standing up for what’s right.

Golfers are natural story tellers; it’s one of their more endearing qualities. What may be the Sullivan County Democrat tournament’s most important role has been to supply these storytellers with enough material for at least one more year. 

To give them an experience, and provide them with the memories, that will create the stories we love, until we all come back and do it all again next summer, just as we have done for the past 44 years and counting.