Family fun with Father/Son Golf Challenge

By Stan Ashbee
Sunny South News

Land-O-Lakes Golf and Country Club in Coaldale will play host to the first HKC (Hockey Kids Coaldale) Father/Son Challenge, in conjunction with KidSport Sunday.
There will be nine holes, an alternate shot format, individual hole prizes, a pizza party, and a silent auction during the event — with a shotgun start of 3:30 p.m. The cost is $125 per team.
Wade Klippenstein, who runs Hockey Kids Coaldale and is the organizer of the first-time event, said he and his eight-year-old son play golf and one night the two were playing at the Coaldale golf course and his son said they should play a around of golf with some other dads and kids.
“I got to thinking — there’s no golf events I know of for kids. Especially, for families. Most events are scrambles or tournaments for adults and obviously, not very family friendly. I said why don’t I text a couple of your buddies and their dads and see if they want to play us and the response was unbelievable,” said Klippenstein.
According to the golf enthusiast, dads and kids were on board and all thought it was a great idea.
“I said, you know what, let’s see if we can get more than four people and maybe we can get 10 in. It sort of took off from there.” Then, he said, he started adding different components to it.
Klippenstein said the event is kind of a hybrid idea and if this year is a success, the event may continue into its second year.
There’s been some corporate people stepping up to the plate for sponsorship of the event, Klippenstein noted.
“Actually, the Lethbridge Hurricanes called me and want to donate an autographed jersey from the entire team. The University of Lethbridge has talked to me about doing some stuff and Lethbridge College. I think anytime kids are involved, people are really interested in helping out. We’ve got some NHL memorabilia that’s been donated already. A lot of little things are coming into play,” he said.
Klippenstein said it’s pretty wide-open for participants too.
“We’ve got grandfather/son entries, there’s some father/daughter entries — it’s just not restricted to father and son but that’s kind of the theme of it.”
If anyone would like to get involved in any capacity, whether it’s volunteering the day of or for prize donations, whole sponsors or readers who would like to enter and play in the event, Klippenstein said — get in touch.
“It’s going to be a day where hopefully kids really enjoy the game of golf and get them excited about it and also kicks off the hockey season. And I do a lot with kids in town for hockey,” said Klippenstein.
For more information follow the event on Twitter @HockeyHKC or call 403-915-1587.