charity | Michael Weening: a few pictures

The only way that we found out about this wildlife sanctuary is through TripAdvisor, and my unwillingness to accept a pre-canned trip. I am glad we did.

The sanctuary is a little bit out of the way and I wish we would have scheduled more time as they also have a elephant sanctuary in the park – 30 minutes away. If you read through the TripAdvisor reviews, there will be people complaining about some fees such as the “take picture” fee at the entrance to the park. For me, it was worth every penny. These people are doing amazing work and we made a donation on the spot.

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It is a rather heartbreaking story. Wildlife SOS started in 1995 with a movement to save the “dancing bears” of India. Ripped from their mothers at an early age their noses are pierced, teeth are broken and they are trained to “dance”. Their owners move from town to town, entertaining the villagers. Through a program of buying back the bears and helping the previous owners find a new livelihood (i.e. become a rickshaw driver), they have slowly eliminated the practice. Very few remain and it is now illegal.

It is truly amazing work they are doing and these bears appear so content in their huge, open sanctuary. The sloth toed bears are beautiful and incredibly serene.

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You can see the mark where the ring was initially in place. Now, long gone.

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Relaxing.

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They also rescue other animals – which we did not have the time to see (regrettably). Although we did have a ton of fun playing with their dogs – rescued from the streets of the city, and beyond happy. This fellow was a vixen (smile).

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I would highly recommend watching this video to understand the plight of these bears. You can donate here.

As mentioned, I had the opportunity to play in the BMO golfathon at Angus Glen last week, which was amazing. Raised a ton of money for kids and had a fun time doing it.

My partner and I played 66 holes in 10.5 hours and had a few interesting experiences:

My partner always ‘gets’ me at least once during our day. Last year he snuck his ball in the hole while I was grabbing a drink on a par 3 and watched in amazement as I jumped around celebrating his hole in one. The year before he had me ‘laser’ in his distance while he took a picture, which you can see here. This year while I was in the washroom he drove up 200 yards and dropped 3 balls within 1 foot of each other. I was amazed … as he had been duck-hooking everything off the tee all day long (Some kid who goes looking will find a ton of once-struck ProV1s).
We had the opportunity to play with a few LPGA pro’s and one was amazing, Carrie (Dont remember her last name). She was 5′ 2ish and no more than 115ish and she pounded the ball 260 off the tee everytime. Proof that it is not physical strength but tempo and technique. Of note, on the 18th we had a little competition going and I drained my 12 footer for birdie to ‘beat the pro’ (smile). I have to thank her, I started mirroring her finishing position which is a picture perfect finish, and my drives straightened out (eliminating my pull) and started dropping to 250+ regularly.
I had the chance to play with Jan Dowling from the Big Break III. We know of her as a woman at our home club knows her mom quite well. It is exactly as you saw on TV, she is a very nice person. Of course, I just had to ask that question we all want to know, is Danielle really like that? The answer is yes .. and she would get up at 3AM, 2 hours before the filmed breakfast to get ready for the day. The best things that have happened to her over the last couple years? The Big Break III and getting to play in the Ladies Canadian Open. Good for her.
I did not win a keg this year.

I wish Jan and Carrie all the best in the future, and another GREAT DAY FOR A GREAT CHARITY! Thanks to Frank for the pictures … enjoy his shorts! At least he was not wearing plus 4s this year.

Frank, myself and Jan Dowling from the Big Break IIII. A great person and a good golfer. Glad to see her doing so well!

A theme for the day, I spent a ton of time on the beach.

This is on our 4th round, right after I said to Frank and Jan – holy cow! I am 9 holes in and 1 over! (We started on 16, where I went par, par, bogie). Then I went par, birdie, bogie, bogie, birdie, par. We had a big conversation on this hole and then I went double, double, double for a 41. NEVER ADD YOUR CARD! I flew it into the bunker.