Where were all the movers and shakers last weekend? A whole bunch of them were hanging out at picturesque St. Andrews By The Lake in Kaleden. Saturday afternoon was the 11th annual Discovery House charity golf tournament, and the joint was jumping.
Discovery House executive director Jerome Abraham was on the scene supervising things, and he quickly filled us in on the basics.
"Today we have 96 golfers and 120 for dinner, arranged into two groups," he said, "and all the proceeds benefit Discovery House.
"It's $80 a player this year, and if a business wants to do a sponsorship, it's $550, which includes four golf spots, four dinners, advertising on our social media page, and signage at one of the holes."
Beyond that, the top four teams also scored themselves $50 dining credits -- per person -- at participating restaurants such as The Nest, La Casa Ouzeria and The Cellar Wine Bar and Kitchen in Penticton, and Gasthaus on the Lake in Peachland.
Abraham readily admitted that there are two types of player who generally show up for the event -- those just there to have fun and donate to a great cause and those who love donating but are also in it to win it.
PentictonNow ran into both when we followed a lighthearted but skilled fivesome through a few holes mid-afternoon, taking in some rather impressive golfing along the way.
Marcus Matthews of KelMar Yardworx said this was the second year his business has sponsored the tourney. Then he boomed a tee shot 250-plus yards to within a few feet of the cup.
"Yeah, today I gave up an $1800 auction prize, which is a day's labour with my crew and truck and trailer," said Matthews.
"I have a couple friends who went through the House and are now doing great in life. So it was something I definitely wanted to put some money into. And I'm an avid golfer, so it's kind of a no-brainer."
Blaine Beecroft of Barry Beecroft Fuel Distributors, which sells fuel to farmers and loggers through cardlocks, smacked a solid drive and said, "This is the second year that Jerome has invited us out and we've shown some support by doing a hole sponsorship."
Copper Mug Pub GM Brad Parkin said Matthews invited him to the tourney this year but added that he'll "definitely" look into being a business sponsor next year, while Dallas Mallory of repeat Discovery House backer Andrew Sheret Ltd said he was thrilled to buck up and join his buds on the links.
Rounding out the quintet was Sondra Barriskill of South Okanagan Women in Need Society (SOWINS). Though not quite the same level of golfer as the other four, Bariskill jokingly called herself a "super skilled caddy" and seemed to be having a blast.
Later, Discovery House resident John Blom served up melt-in-your-mouth brisket -- courtesy of The Nest restaurant -- to all the competitors at his station just outside the St. Andrews clubhouse. Blom was one of several residents volunteering at the tourney, and he was clearly psyched to be there.
"It was the best decision I ever made going to Discovery House," he said. "I've learned how to live life again.
"It was my fifth time in treatment. So I said to myself that I was willing to do whatever it takes this time. It's the people who don't do the work who don't get better.
"So I did what was suggested of me by my sponsor and the group. I did my steps, went to the meetings, and now I'm coming up on a year sober."
Just as we left for home, Abraham told us he'll hold to this year's rate for anyone wanting to book now for next year's event and pay by December. For more info on Discovery House and this year's tourney, head here.
