Father’s Day 2016 comes with mixed emotions. On a positive note, your knucklehead scribe feels better about something important. For years, since my father passed in 2007 from lung cancer, the much-beloved “McIntosh Invitational” golf tournament had been on hiatus.
It was uncomfortable knowing “Hacker Mac” was somewhere in heaven wondering, “What the hell is going on?” For more than 25 years the father of four, and friend to many more, hosted an annual golf gathering. It was a cherished summer reunion. But after Dad died the tournament was buried with him. It bugged me. I sensed the golf fanatic was wondering, “Really? Just because you live in Denver, you can’t make time to keep the Mac Open alive?”
That lousy feeling is gone with the creation of a golf outing, in partnership with Raytown, Missouri’s Three Trails Kiwanis, that raises money for a youth sports initiative in my hometown. Raytown Schools’ superintendent Dr. Allan Markley leads a group, many of whom went to school in Raytown long ago, trying to raise money for more youth sports in the 9,000 student district in suburban Kansas City.
Raytown is different today than the community that nurtured sports-crazy dudes like me and others. 50 years ago a vibrant youth sports atmosphere was perfect for an athletic young man with dreams. Easy access to team sports helped me earn an athletic scholarship to the University of Missouri. It also kept this aging jock’s butt out of trouble and nose, somewhat, in the books to remain eligible.
Almost a half century later, Raytown has more poverty, single parents and societal challenges. We’re trying to improve the educational opportunities with more sports. It’s also what A Stronger Cord is trying to accomplish in Denver. We need to give vulnerable kids another team, other than gangs, to play on. It’s nationwide issue: too many isolated kids living in poverty and susceptible to gang recruitment.
Many who played in the McIntosh Invitational are now participating in the Kiwanis tournament. I think he would be pleased the re-incarnation is benefiting kids and fostering athletics. Marvin Walter McIntosh, Jr. was always passionate about the two.
The downside to this day set aside for dads is that buddy Pete Guignon, and his four siblings, lost their father. Pierre Jules Guignon was a wonderful husband, father and man. The 88-year-old suffered from Parkinson’s and recently experienced a massive stroke while at dinner with bride Peggy celebrating 64 years of marriage. If memory serves correctly, my dad and Pete’s dad never met. That’s too bad. They were kindred spirits.
Each now gone but never forgotten. It would be impossible considering how their passion for life, love and goodwill influenced sons who became college buddies and fathers ourselves.
Two lucky dudes with dads who showed the way in healthy and productive fashion. What an incredible gift that comes with a clarion call to share with others, especially our children. The value is priceless.
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