Aside from his family, one thing 95-year-old Al Greer of Glenboro has cherished most in his life is sports—especially golf. It was a passion he shared with his wife, Myrna, and many friends over the years, forming countless treasured memories on the greens of the Glenboro Golf and Country Club. Now, in a heartfelt gesture to honour those memories and thank the club for the joy it has provided, the Greer family has donated a beautiful gazebo located on the east side of the clubhouse.
For Al, golf wasn’t just a game; it was a way to stay connected with loved ones, enjoy the outdoors, and engage in friendly competition.
The Glenboro Golf and Country Club was a home away from home for him and Myrna, where they spent countless afternoons playing rounds and building friendships that would last a lifetime.
“Dad has always been so passionate about golf. It gave him such joy to be out there on the course, whether it was playing with friends or spending time with Mom,” shared Al’s daughter, Cathy Vrooman. “We wanted to give something back to the club that’s been such an important part of Mom and Dad’s life, and the gazebo felt like the perfect way to do that.”
The new gazebo will be a welcoming addition to the club, providing a space where golfers can gather, relax, and enjoy the scenic surroundings of the course. It’s also a symbol of the Greer family’s appreciation for the club’s role in creating so many wonderful memories.
Al’s bond with the Glenboro Golf and Country Club stretches back decades, and his love for the sport hasn’t diminished with time. Alexis Einarson, a friend, neighbour, and golf partner, commented that Al worked his way up to playing nine holes a couple of times in 2022.
The donation of the gazebo, built by CM Roofing, ran by Cole Miller of Stockton, is a way for the Greer family to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the same camaraderie and sense of community that Al and Myrna cherished.
However, Al gave so much more to the local course throughout the years. He encouraged many youth to take up golf, instilling not only his passion for the game but also teaching them the ethics, rules, and skills fundamental to the sport. Cheryl Pankratz, Al and Myrna’s second daughter, shared fond memories of riding the cart with her parents, even though she never quite caught on to the game herself. “Dad did his very best to teach me, but I never really took to it,” she recalled from her home in Queensland, Australia. “My brother Kenny is actually the only one of us three who is a naturally gifted golfer.” While Cheryl may not have inherited the golf gene, her son, Daryn, did. “He remembers playing with Mom and Dad as a kid and is still inspired by their love of the sport.”
Al was instrumental in the course’s transition from sand greens to grass greens, as well as the relocation of the clubhouse. Due to these significant contributions, Al, along with Roy Wallis, Jack Gowanlock, and Friday Frederickson, were presented with Lifetime Memberships.
In addition to golf, Al was also an avid baseball player. When he and his teammates realized the “liniment league” was becoming too much for them, they decided to start a fun but competitive Monday night golf club. Ten couples would meet every Monday at 3:30 p.m. for a round of golf, followed by a barbecue and cocktails at each participant’s home, alternating the location each week.
“In all the years and thousands of holes played, Al never got an ace, but Myrna got two. That was a joke often shared by Al and Myrna, as well as during the Monday evening barbecues,” shared Alexis.
“We hope that this gazebo will serve as a place where people can come together, share stories, and create their own lasting memories—just like my parents did,” Cathy added.
The Glenboro Golf and Country Club expressed its gratitude for the Greer family’s generosity. The gazebo will not only be a practical addition but also a meaningful tribute to the Greer family’s enduring connection to the club.
Initially, the Greer family considered installing a bench, but Ken came up with the idea of a gazebo so more people could enjoy the addition. His thought was that a gazebo would serve as a great meeting place on Steak Nights and other events, and Cathy and Cheryl full heartedly agreed.
As the community gathers under the shade of the new gazebo in the years to come, they’ll be reminded of the rich legacy of Al and Myrna Greer, a couple whose love for golf and the friendships forged on the course have left an indelible mark on the Glenboro Golf and Country Club.
Caption: Al Greer holds the plaque that will be installed on the gazebo at the Glenboro Golf & Country Club. PHOTO SUBMITTED
