WEYBURN – Longtime Weyburn Golf Club member Murray Benson is the recipient of the 2021 Perry Folk Fellowship Award, presented by Colin Folk on Wednesday on behalf of the Folk family.
The award has been presented every year since 2009, when the first recipient of the award was Graham DeLaet, prior to his PGA career.
Written across the top of the large plaque is the explanation that the award is presented “to the Golf Club 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’.”
“I’m very humbled, because there are so many great people out there,” said Benson, who became emotional as he spoke of his late friend, Perry Folk.
He noted Perry was quiet, but when he walked into the clubhouse, everyone knew he was there, and was a “larger than life” sort of character.
Benson said he golfs about five days a week at the Weyburn course, pointing out that it’s in excellent condition right now.
“I try to carry on the tradition of Perry in the clubhouse,” he added.
Explaining the origins of the award, Kevin Folk noted that his brother and Al York were good friends, and Al admired Perry for how he acted as a golf club member.
“When Perry died, Al thought there ought to be a yearly award to recognize the efforts of the many ‘Perry-like’ members,” said Kevin.
“Murray meets all of that, plus he often does carpentry and shingling out there as a volunteer, and he does spur of the moment things like cooking steaks for 50 people,” he added.
Kevin noted that Shannon Lindsay of Pumpjacks was a good friend of Perry’s also, and has donated a $100 gift certificate each year to the winner of the award.
