It is a rarefied and reflective moment for any athlete, coach or builder when a city, province, country or sport honours them with enshrinement into its hall of fame.
The range and depth of emotions are often overwhelming as entire careers are distilled into a single point of recognition and reflection.
The duo had a steely and unshakable sense of purpose that transcended career setbacks and challenges. Rutledge recalled as a kid spending countless hours with his friends on the Cedar Hill Golf Course “living off hot dogs, Cheezies and pop.” It led to winning the Canadian juvenile and junior championships before turning pro at 19 and playing more than 20 years on the Canadian and Asian tours, winning the Indian Open at Delhi in 1995 and New Zealand PGA Championship in 2006.
Canadian record-holder Reed had the smoothest and most elegant of strides in winning the 800-metre silver medal at the 2007 IAAF world track and field championships before placing fourth in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in an event considered the deepest in any Games discipline in any sport.“This is a huge, meaningful honour because my Victoria days represented the apex of my career.”