Tom Zariski, former principal of DCHS and a current Town Councillor, is giving new meaning to the phrase “going clubbing.”
In an effort to make teaching golf affordable for local schools, Zariski is collecting golf clubs, through the Pioneer Trail Centre, to donate to local schools. The program is called Clubs for Kids.
Last year, the Drumheller Community Golf Association helped provide golf education to Greentree and St. Anthony’s elementary students through the National Golf in Schools program. Through the program both schools were given sets of plastic clubs and balls to help students learn the basics of golf.
From there, Zariski wanted to give junior high and high school students the tools to learn the sport as well.
The problem was that golf clubs are prohibitively expensive. For example, a moderate quality set of new clubs can cost $500. Schools would need to buy multiple sets to accommodate students.
Zariski, with support from the Golf Association, started an initiative to bring golf to the area schools and do a little housekeeping at the same time. Residents are encouraged to donate their old golf clubs to the Pioneer Trail Centre. Then, the Golf Association will pay for the clubs, thereby donating to the Pioneer Trail centre.
Zariski also bought all of the Salvation Army Thrift Store’s clubs.
The Newcastle Recreation Association and the Royal Tyrrell Museum Cooperating Society donated the funds needed to buy the clubs.
“With all these golf clubs sitting around collecting dust, why not donate them to schools, who can’t afford them,” said Zariski. “For example, the Salvation Army had a basement full of clubs, so I figured let’s get them out of there and send them somewhere they will be used.”
Golf has many advantages explained Zariski.
“Golf is a great sport. It gets kids outside and walking around. It’s also a social occasion and a nice time to get our with friends,” said Zariski.
Zariski first was introduced to the sport when he was a teenager in Edmonton. He and his friends would go shoot some golf in the river valley. Soon after though, Zariski stopped playing. It wasn’t until coming to Drumheller that he and fellow teachers picked up some clubs and the hobby again.
Since then, Zariski has become an avid golfer, so much so that if the golf course was open in winter, he would at least consider playing a few rounds.
“Golf is a sport for life. I used to play hockey, but couldn’t do it anymore as I got older. I can still get out and get some exercise playing golf,” said Zariski.
For more information about the golf program, residents can contact Zariski at 403-823-4399. Residents who have unused clubs can take them to the Pioneer Trail Centre in downtown Drumheller.