Each Men’s Night, these selfless men are not just competing for skins; they're boosting the local and national economy, freeing up their spouses’ schedules, and strengthening community ties.
Did you know that the average Canadian golfer spends somewhere between $1,800 and $2,400 per year? That's not golf; that's a stimulus package. We dads buy memberships, golf balls, clubs, and questionable golf attire. We spend our money so those families supported by people in the golf industry have food on their table.
At a local level, we are key supporters of the Club House. While the numbers may vary annually, at least 20% of the yearly liquor sales happen on Wednesdays. That is another example of dads giving back.
And some contributions, while smaller in scale, still have significance. Consider Scott Maynes and Cubby Bartram as examples of this. Each Wednesday, instead of adding to their family’s burden, they ensure that their respective sons, Nathan and Zach, come to Men's Night. This generous move lets their wives enjoy a well-deserved break, minimizes the need to hire expensive babysitters, and strengthens the bond between generations.
And within my group, Gorrell is like a father figure to many of us. He arrives late, is always cranky, and yells at us when we disappoint him. He makes me feel like I am 13 again.
Another group of wonderful dads to note are those who prioritize the well-being of their spouses and children by staying out late every week, playing poker at the campground. In doing this, they sacrifice their own rest so that their families can enjoy quiet, uninterrupted sleeps.
Interestingly, this past Wednesday, the two skins were won by combinations that included a wise, fatherly figure supporting a young man. Zach Bartram used Charles McKay's guidance to combine for $40.63 on #2, while Ethan Hunter was assisted by one of our local elders, Vern Synder, to win $40.63 on #3.
Also, noteworthy, every single one of the 32 golfers in attendance were either fathers or had fathers at one point. That is a stat that often goes unreported but needs to be celebrated.
The deuce pot went unclaimed this past week, but there were some impressive shots worth noting — Jason McKee was closest to the pin on #5, and Darren Ostash was not far off on #9.
Even the scores reflected the spirit of Father's Day. The evening leading 38 was carded by a dad, Joel Ostash. Meanwhile, the highest score of 60 was recorded by a young man without children. This clearly demostrates how the joy of being a parent contributes to improvements in our golf games.
So cheers to all the golf dads — the financial investors and community contributors — for making the world, especially Shoal Lake, a better place. Have a great Father's Day!
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