As Remembered By: Bev and Tom Millar
TOS Residents from 1975 – 2011, Tom: TOS President (3 terms), Bev: TAMS Board Member & TAMS Secretary
(1967& 1968), Couples' Tournaments Initiator
In 1955 we began a nine-year venture with US Dependent
schools in several locations, and lived in a variety of Quonset huts,
apartments and on Navy bases - followed by time in Bellevue. With an
inheritance received in 1973, I told Tom I wanted a house that didn't look like
everyone else's. We had lived next to a golf course on a base in Morocco,
so decided to investigate Tam O'Shanter and found a
lot on the second hole. After numerous visits to our architect (and
playing golf like we lived here), we built in 1974-75 and moved into the home
on Easter of March 1975.
What a wonderful, vibrant community! Tom has served
as President three times, twice by being elected and once by default, when
Steve Page moved, and vacated the job.
I was a member of the Tams Board, and we chaired lots of
tournaments -- the Man-Tam twice. At the first Man-Tam win, I shot my
best game ever (104) and following the big win, was in the clubhouse drinking
gin and tonics when I heard we
had tied for first place and had to play in a
putt-off. Perhaps as a result of my celebration beverages, I tapped the
ball by mistake and we became second place winners. Shortly thereafter
the winning couple moved from Tam O'Shanter and the Millars became responsible for the event the following
year.
We
won the opportunity for another Man-Tam and used the OLYMPIC GAMES as a
theme. Several activities relating to
sports were included. Each hole had a theme - on the fifth hole, a
participant hit her ball into the pond. She chose to use her free throw,
instead of an iron, and again hit the pond instead of the green.
When the annual charity tournaments were regular events,
we were pleased to identify RCR the sponsored organization. Reconstructive Cardiovascular Research was
directed by Dr. Lester Savauge. Dr. Lester Savauge
founded the department in 1959 and it is now the Hope Heart Institute.
Dr. Savauge was widely known for his work in
development of artificial arteries to maintain circulation to body
extremities. Tom's brother was a patient of Dr. Savauge.
Mrs. Savauge played in the
tournament and her husband spoke to the group following play. A part of
the entry fees had been earmarked for the charity, but during Dr. Sauvage's talk describing his work and the people being
helped; someone took a silver bowl from the kitchen and circulated it
throughout the group, generating additional funds for RCR.
Tom enjoyed playing in numerous tournaments, with what
can be described as minimum of success.
As TOS President, he encouraged former pro Jack Frei
to promote the first Senior event. Later, TOS golfers were involved in the
weekly senior pro ams, and most recently we have
continued with the summer senior circuit.
Thirty-six years later we are moving to a retirement
center and will truly miss the many activities of TOS and the warm
friendships. We will probably be back to play as we'll be nearby.