Remembering John Shearer
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On Saturday, September 21, 2003, a memorial golf tournament was held at the Apalachin Golf Course for its owner and builder, John Shearer. The proceeds from the event will be donated to the John Shearer Memorial Golf Scholarship at Owego Free Academy. This year's recipients of the scholarships were Bill Sachnan, who is attending SUNY Brockport, and Justen Deemie, who is attending SUNY Cortland.
 The golf tournament was won by the team of Gary Iacovazzi, Tim McCluhan, Bud Bailey, and Jean Fowler, with a score of 63. This first annual event consisted of 13 teams. 
 Immediately following the tournament, a ceremony dedicating a garden in John Shearer's memory was conducted by John's son-in-law, Ron Erat. Mr. Erat conveyed the family's appreciation to all the tournament's participants and Rick York's contribution to the garden. He also reflected on John and his wife, Ida, and their family's 43 years of building and running the golf course. 
 A bronze plaque was installed in the garden. The plaque reads: "This garden is in loving memory of John Martin Shearer. His vision, passion, and love of golf, family, and friends created what is now the Apalachin Golf Course."