WEYBURN — Longtime golfer and volunteer Marie Grohn was named to the 2023 Perry Folk Fellowship Award, and was presented with the honour by Kevin Folk on behalf of the family on Wednesday.
The award was donated by Al York 15 years ago after the loss of Perry Folk, and it was first presented in 2009 to Graham DeLaet, who went on to play in the PGA.
Grohn worked with the junior program for many years, served on the provincial golf executive for a time, and currently is out helping beginning lady golfers with lessons, teaching rules and etiquette of the game.
She began golfing at age 30, but noted she was supposed to first learn at the age of 12, “but I didn’t like it”, so she has been golfing for close to 50 years.
“I golfed lots with Terry and Aaron (husband and son), then I took lessons, and I went, ‘oh, they didn’t teach me right’,” she said with a laugh. “Now our whole family golfs. Our grandchildren golf, and we’re out there as a family.”
Grohn noted that she travelled with junior golfers from Weyburn a lot while helping out with the program at the Weyburn Golf Club.
“I was busy almost every day of the week it seemed like, all summer long,” she said, adding of the beginners’ group, “They asked if I would come out and do that.”
“It’s nice they have someone like you that can keep those ladies wanting to come out,” said Kevin.
He noted that the Folk family are not the ones who pick the recipients of the award, but they leave it to staff and golfers who are out at the course all the time.
“I’ve only gotten back into golf about four years ago,” he said. “My other family members golf like crazy. I’ve always wanted to get out, but I just couldn’t fit it in with raising kids and being a ball coach.”
Kevin added that anytime he was out at the golf course, “I’ve become more aware of everything that she’s done. They really appreciate her out there.”
The award plaque states that the Perry Folk Fellowship Award is “presented annually to the golf course patron who, through personal interactions, friendly demeanor and positive attitude, enhances the clubhouse atmosphere and experience for others in their company; basically, the Clubhouse MVP.”
The award includes a $100 gift card to Pumpjacks, in appreciation and memory of Perry Folk.
