Longtime Alberta Golf Volunteer Passes Away At 88
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2021-04-15
By GORD MONTGOMERY, Inside Golf
EDMONTON, Alberta — Alberta Golf has lost one of its most dedicated volunteers. Jack Brooks, who was an integral part of the volunteer corps with the provincial association passed away on April 7 at the age of 88.
Speaking to his former colleague’s value to the Alberta Golf organization, Dunc Mills said the time and effort Brooks put into his many roles was invaluable.
“What a guy!” Mills began in regard to Brooks’s contributions to amateur golf in the province. “He joined Alberta Golf the year before I did; he came on in, I think, 1992,” with Mills following him into the association where they worked together over many years. “There weren’t too many guys around that were around longer than me, but Jack was one of them.”
During his time with the association, Brooks held many positions, in what has been referred to as “his second career.” Those including serving as the association’s president, as a board member; spending time on the handicap committee; a rules official; a course rater (he was part of a province-wide re-rating panel for three years and worked out the numbers on every member club int he province); he also spent time on the scholarship foundation, and often served as a tournament chair.
“It was dedication more than anything,” Mills continued about the longtime volunteer and what he brought to the association. “He did everything for Alberta Golf. I think he brought professionalism. He was ‘If we’re going to the job here, we’re going to do it properly.’ He helped me so many times over the years with the tour (McLennan Ross Junior Tour).”
Mills went onto emphasize that his counterpart’s participation in golf wasn’t just adult-oriented. He thrived on helping young players as well in whatever manner possible.
“He loved junior golf. He was all over (central) Alberta (in particular) helping me. He practically begged me to let him come out and help,” including organizing camps for kids. “He always had time for kids.”
As for the legacy Brooks leaves behind, Mills said, “As much as the longevity, I mean, 30 years of his life and I’m not talking two or three days a year …. I’m talking 30 days a year, more than that, doing course ratings, organizing tournaments, rules. He never asked for anything. It was all volunteer. He was not in this for glory. He did it because he loved golf and he wanted to give back,”
For his service to amateur golf, and Alberta Golf in particular, Jack Brooks was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame in 2009.