Mark Lyons says the driving range was a very special place for his son Jack Lyons.
"I would get home and always want to have a good day for him, but when I would get home, he would have his golf shoes on," recalls Mark about his son.
"The driving range was part of our day-to-day right until the driving range closed."
Lyons says the driving range was Jack's "Happy Place," and a place where his son would be very honest about Mark's game.
"If he had a good shot, and if I took a bad one, he would say 'Crap Shot' like the old Parkay commercial," Lyons laughed.
Jack Lyons, who lived with autism, passed away at the age of 17 back in April of 2022.
Even well before Jack's passing the Lyons family was working hard to support autism programming in the area. Working alongside partners like One Kids Place, Lyons has helped create a voice for that community that has led to many successful fundraising initiatives, along with a playground in Jack's name at One Kids Place.
As part of that same theme, the driving range at Pinewood Golf Course in North Bay will be donating half the proceeds from the sales of buckets of balls. That money raised will go towards One Kids Place Jack Lyons programs. As well, the driving range has put up a sign that reads "Jack Lyons Memorial Range."
Mark Lyons says this is just another amazing show of support for the cause.
"It helps so we can keep going with things," noted Lyons, as the funding goes towards summer camps that do not receive much provincial or federal funding.
"You look at the playground, you look at the trail and it is just special," said Lyons about the way his son has been honoured.
"I have to say I spend a lot of time at One Kids Place but that place is special."
The event will begin on Sunday, August 13 and wrap up on August 19.
