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Tom Beynon celebrated his 75th birthday on Wednesday by playing a round of golf on the Old Course at St. Andrews Links in Scotland.

But a link to the past was also on his mind — even on such a momentous day.

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Beynon was an offensive lineman with the 1966 Saskatchewan Roughriders — the first Grey Cup championship team in franchise history — and wanted to convey his appreciation and his heartfelt regrets.

Members of that team are to reunite Saturday, when the Roughriders play host to the B.C. Lions in CFL action. By the time Beynon was notified of the reunion, the non-refundable, “once-in-a-lifetime” golf excursion to Scotland had already been booked.

“I would have loved to be there,” Beynon said from Scotland on Wednesday. “Saskatchewan is very important to me and it’s the cornerstone of what I’ve been able to do in my life.”

Beynon, who played for the Roughriders in 1966 and 1967, went on to become a successful lawyer. His career goals were attained, and even exceeded, due to the many people in Regina and Saskatoon who helped along the way.