Three golfers from March Meadows Golf Club are representing the south island this week at the Canada 55+ Games in Brampton, Ontario.
Garry Callander, Doug Parker and Rocky Wise left for the games Aug. 16 and will compete in the 60+, 65+ and 70+ age categories respectively.
This is the first year any of the men are going to the Canada Games. They received an invitation last fall and accepted gladly. They are the only players from March Meadows, and will be representing Vancouver Island south of Ladysmith on Team BC.
“We’ve been coming out and playing as much golf as we can,” said Callander, regarding their preparations in the lead-up to the games.
The men all said their main focus is to have fun.
“It’s just a fun competition,” said Parker.
Wise and Callander agreed.
“At our age we don’t get too serious,” said Wise.
“I’m sure if you were to go and talk to lower handicap people they’re probably quite a bit more serious than we are,” said Callander. “But for me it’s [an opportunity] to go somewhere and play a different golf course and have a good time.”
The men will be playing at Lionhead Golf and Conference Centre in Brampton. The Lionhead has two 18-hole courses. The Legends course — shaped into a “Lion’s Paw” — is known for its tight tree-lined fairways and the Credit River which touches 14 of the 18 holes. The Masters course, which the club’s website describes as having a “kinder and gentler” layout, has over 100 bunkers, nine ponds and two rivers, making each hole a “distinctive” experience.
“It’s just nice to play different golf courses. To have a good time, have a few beers afterwards or whatever,” said Callander, who also golfs in Washington and Arizona.
While this is their first time at playing at the national level, all three golfers have played at the 55+ BC Games.
Wise, who is going on 11 years competing at the 55+ BC Games, said he finds it heartening to come back each year and see who’s still around and golfing.
“It’s an honour to go there each year and see, ‘Oh you’re still here with us to play,’” he said. “It’s a good feeling.”