The Hero's legacy continues to grow

The last two weeks took Joy and I to Victoria and White Rock, BC. It was a great trip to see family and friends and to honour my late nephew, Patrick Kennedy Dooley, at the annual Pat Dooley Memorial Golf Tournament. 

The weekend got me reflecting about the life of Pat Dooley. He was a talented multi-sport athlete and  a great student, but golf was his true passion. One wonders, sadly, what might have been. Pat lost  so many life milestones that he never got to experience;  High school graduation, post-secondary academic and athletic success, perhaps getting married, and so much more that people may take for granted. I also got to reflecting that, although Pat's journey was cut short in 2008 at 16 years of age, his legacy continues to grow. The golf tournament, in its ninth event, had 144 golfers there to honour Pat. The tournament continues to raise money for the Kwantlen University Turf Management Program that Pat was going to enrol in as part of his journey to perhaps golf course design and or management. The Pat Dooley Memorial Scholarships that honour two Turf Management students  are now being given out in perpetuity. 


The impact of Pat is felt more closely within a family structure that includes my brother Steve, his wife Preet Heer, Pat's brother Dave, Dave's wife Jasmine Kim, and  Pat's mother Diane. The newest and most exciting person in the family fold is Dave and Jasmine's son Wilson. Wilson joined us for a few holes in the tournament. He showed us how to make a ten foot putt when he simply picked the ball up and dropped it about an inch from the hole and calmly put it in! This is a young man who is three years old and showing signs of the energy and passion that made his uncle Pat such a great golfer and student. Wilson, too, will accomplish great things.

The extended family that Pat impacted includes many friends of Steve and Preet, especially Donna and Gary Metz, who have played a huge role in the early success of the tournament. They give of their time to handle registrations and logistics. I know they do it out of love for Steve and Preet, but also out of the love and respect for Pat. Now that's family. It's also cool to see the many friends of Dave sharing the passion for Pat and the love of family with Steve and Preet. They love because they know they are loved.

A highlight for me was getting to see  and play golf with Pat's best friend, Ian Metz. Ian and Pat played a lot of sports together as kids and both worked at the Hazelmere Golf Club, where the tourney took place. Ian's journey has taken him to Germany for the past number of years and he decided to come home to completely surprise his parents and play in the tournament. That says a lot about this fine young man; giving his parents the gift of the surprise while also honouring his good friend Pat. It also says a lot about Pat and what he means to people. 



The hero was taken from so many. The hero impacted so many, and still does. 


HELP WANTED

Testamonials needed.... In marketing my book I would appreciate the power of testamaonils from those who have read the book A sentence or two is all it takes and I will list them on my website aherosjourney.ca and various other links. Email me at coachdools71@gmail.com

OLYMPIA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 

If you are an Olympia Sports Camp Alumni we need to to register for the OAA and get those in your circle of Olympia contacts to do the same. The link is at:

 https://forms.gle/woWsggqM7zpUyHge9


OLYMPIA HAS AN APP! 



Olympia has created an App that will allow Alumni to connect with the camp events, read content about some amazing Olympia people, and maybe sign your child or grandchild up for the week of their lives. Simply use this QR code to get to the App and all it offers.




We know that the stories captured in The Hero's Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp just scratch the surface of the amazing people of Olympia and we envision the OAA as a way to share many more hero's journeys and for all alumni to have a vehicle to stay in touch.

 If you have someone who you feel is a hero of their journey and who the Olympia community would like to hear about connect with me at coachdools71@gmail.com.  Within a community of everyday heroes there are many stories that people would love to read about, stories I would love to write about. 

Copies of A Hero's Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp can be ordered through Amazon, Indigo.ca and are available at The Different Drummer Book Store on Locust St in Burlington. Or if you live in the Hamilton/ Halton area etransfer $30 with your address and I'll deliver it to your door.

Online copies are available at aherosjourney.ca

Audiobook version is available at Audible, Amazon, or iTunes 

If you would like us to come to your town for a book event or get copies into your favourite bookstore , email me at coachdools71@gmail.com

If you or your favourite camper are looking to get to camp in the summer of 2024 check out the website at 
olympiasportscamp.com. A week when you will meet so many great people. A week when you'll learn a lot about what you are made of.

We know that the stories captured in The Hero's Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp just scratch the surface of the amazing people of Olympia and we envision the OAA as a way to share many more hero's journeys and for all alumni to have a vehicle to stay in touch.

 If you have someone who you feel is a hero of their journey and who the Olympia community would like to hear about connect with me at coachdools71@gmail.com.  Within a community of everyday heroes there are many stories that people would love to read about, stories I would love to write about. 

Copies of A Hero's Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp can be ordered through Amazon, Indigo.ca and are available at The Different Drummer Book Store on Locust St in Burlington. Or if you live in the Hamilton/ Halton area etransfer $30 with your address and I'll deliver it to your door.

Online copies are available at aherosjourney.ca

Audiobook version is available at Audible, Amazon, or iTunes 

If you would like us to come to your town for a book event or get copies into your favourite bookstore , email me at coachdools71@gmail.com

If you or your favourite camper are looking to get to camp in the summer of 2024 check out the website at 
olympiasportscamp.com. A week when you will meet so many great people. A week when you'll learn a lot about what you are made of.




Comments

  1. Greg RogersMay 1, 2024 at 1:21 PM

    Thanks Chris for sharing this compelling story and the Olympia app.

    ReplyDelete

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