Doug Thorlakson says he has a strong back and a weak mind.
“Perfect for golfing,” Thorlakson chuckles.
A fixture at the annual North Okanagan Community Life Society Charity Golf Classic, Thorlakson will have an even bigger presence at this year’s 20th annual event May 5 and 6 at the Vernon Golf and Country Club.
Organizers have named Thorlakson the Good Guy of the Year for the event.
“I can’t remember when I started playing in this event, but I’ve been playing for, oh, 12, maybe 14 years,” said Thorlakson, son of Tolko founder Harold Thorlakson and a 14-handicap on the links.
“I love this event. It’s always a lot of fun. I talk it up any time I can. Guys I deal with, I tell them to put a team in and to keep NOCLS on their mind. If you can’t get people out, you can’t make money.”
Thorlakson, known around Vernon for his generosity to a number of different charities, was humbled to be recognized at an event he holds dear to his heart.
“NOCLS does great work,” said Thorlakson of the organization that provides programs for adults with development disabilities. “I must have done something good, something must have rubbed off. I’ve been here a long time.”
Tournament organizer Garry Molitwenik said Thorlakson’s name was presented to the golf tournament committee for the 2010 tournament, but they had already selected former Royal Volkswagen owner Danny Miller – and a former NOCLS teammate of Thorlakson – for the honour.
“Doug is the right guy for this year,” said Molitwenik, joined by tournament committee members Neil Bradbury and Robert Rutherford in presenting Thorlakson with his Good Guy of the Year hat and jacket Thursday.
“Doug is such a huge supporter for us. He always brings a team, always buys a caddy (celebrity caddy auction held the night before the tournament). That’s just Doug.
“He’s a great guy. It doesn’t matter who you talk to. He’s such a good choice, a very classy gentleman.”
Thorlakson will be among the field of 144 teeing it up in the 20th annual tournament slated for May 6, with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start.
There’s still room to enter the event, either as a team of four or as an individual.
Golfers have a chance at more than $100,000 in prizes, which include fabulous hole-in-one prizes such as 2011 vehicle from Vernon Dodge Jeep, two holes, sponsored by Winslow Grant and Capri Insurance, offering $10,000 for an ace and a $20,000 City Furniture/Dream Easy kitchen package.
Okanagan Aggregates has donated two loads of gravel for the longest drives, men and women, and golfers who stick their ball closest to the pin will take home golf shirts.
Team prizes include four winners jackets from Far West and golf bags courtesy of Kal Tire.
The tournament kicks off the night before, May 5, with the team draw at 6 p.m., barbecue at 7 p.m. and celebrity caddy auction at 7:30 p.m.
For more information on the charity golf classic, call Molitwenik at NOCLS at 250-545-5153, or e-mail Garry at Garry.Molitwenik@nocls.com.
