Charlie's Golfing Club Tour continues to inspire

Winnipeg Free Press

2 days ago

Eugene Hayduk is dying. And while that may be an unusual way to start a sports story, there's nothing ordinary about what you're going to read below.
It is a tale of courage and conviction — and making every moment count.
Hayduk, 64, was first diagnosed with stage-four thyroid cancer six years ago. After an extensive surgery and countless bouts of radiation and chemotherapy, the long-time Winnipeg social worker recently learned it has spread to much of his body. He is now considered palliative. Time is the enemy.
With that in mind, Hayduk is trying to make the most of however many days he might have left. And the self-proclaimed 'golf nut,' who first picked up a club 50 years ago, has found motivation in a most unlikely form.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS
Charlie's Golfing Club Tour hit the links at Bel Acres on Thursday. (From left) Eugene Hayduk, Charlie Bristow, Bill Bristow, Cal Zankowski.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS
Charlie's Golfing Club Tour hit the links at Bel Acres on Thursday. (From left) Eugene Hayduk, Charlie Bristow, Bill Bristow, Cal Zankowski.
Specifically, the Instagram account of Minnesota golfer Charlie Bristow, who has autism spectrum disorder and a unique, self-taught swing shaped by scoliosis and spinal fusion surgery. Travelling North America with his father, Bill, Charlie has become a social media sensation by showing what's possible with drive and determination.
'On days when I'm struggling and going through tough stuff, I'll watch Charlie's videos,' Hayduk told the Free Press this week. 'And that's what inspires me, knowing what he's overcome and that it doesn't let it stop him from hitting the ball.'
Hayduk recently reached out to Charlie and Bill, who manages his online presence and serves as his personal chaperone and caddy, to express his gratitude. One thing led to another, and suddenly 'Charlie's Golfing Club Tour' — that's the name of the online account — was making its first-ever stop in Manitoba as the pair drove up from their home near St. Paul.
It happened Thursday morning at Bel Acres — where Hayduk purchased a membership this summer — shortly after an intense thunderstorm that threatened to wash out the entire thing gave way to perfectly timed sunshine and drying winds.
'This is my Masters,' Hayduk said, grinning as he welcomed Charlie and Bill to the course
The Free Press joined them for the 18-hole round. Rounding out the group was Hayduk's good friend, Cal Zankowski, who won a Memorial Cup with the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers in 1988 and later played two seasons with the University of Manitoba Bisons. Zankowski also knows the pain of loss — his young son, Cody, died from cerebral palsy in 2007.
'I admire parents who can have that kind of connection with their child,' said Zankowski. 'I would have loved to have been able to do something like that with my son.'
Golf may have been the setting, but this truly was a form of therapy for everyone involved.
'Just look at what's happening here. My heart is so full seeing this, from a personal and professional viewpoint,' said Hayduk, who fought back tears at various times. 'It's just beautiful to watch.'
It sure was.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS
Charlie Bristow has gained fame through an Instagram acount called Charlie's Golfing Club Tour. His latest stop was at Bel Acres where he played Eugene Hayduk on Thursday in what Hayduk called his 'Masters' tournament.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS
Charlie Bristow has gained fame through an Instagram acount called Charlie's Golfing Club Tour. His latest stop was at Bel Acres where he played Eugene Hayduk on Thursday in what Hayduk called his 'Masters' tournament.
As Hayduk astutely pointed out, Charlie 'is really something.' The polite 26-year-old carries himself with the poise and presence of a PGA Tour professional — fixing every ball mark and divot he sees, carefully tending to the flagstick, and meticulously lining up his putts.
And his swing must be seen to be believed — something he had to completely re-adjust at the age of 13 when two steel rods were inserted in his back as an alternative to what might have been years in a back brace with no guarantee of success.
'After that surgery, he had to invent his own swing. We had to figure it out,' said his father. 'The key thing was where was he going to stand? He'll hit probably 10-12 fairways per round. He's hit all 14 five times. He does really, really well.'
Consider this: Charlie recently shot a career-best two-over 73 at a course in Montana. He may not be the longest driver off the tee, but accuracy can be a heck of a weapon.
'I always told Charlie the great equalizer is him hitting it down the fairway. (Others) may hit it 20, 30, 40 yards longer than you, but the equalizer is for you to hit the fairways,' said Bill.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS
'I really do enjoy the folks that are following me. Everywhere I go it's just been great,' said Charlie Bristow.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS
'I really do enjoy the folks that are following me. Everywhere I go it's just been great,' said Charlie Bristow.
Sure enough, Charlie's first shot of the day was perfectly striped down the middle of the first hole at Bel Acres. But it's on the green where he really starts to shine, with an incredible eye for speed and break and the kind of touch you simply can't teach.
Want proof? He parred the first four holes Thursday, including rolling in a 35-footer on the second hole which his father said wouldn't even crack the top 10 of his longest putts ever. He would know, since he literally keeps a list, with an 86-footer in Utah still the one to beat.
'I used to play soccer, but I wanted to find an individual sport that I could just see if I could do well,' Charlie said of picking up a club at the age of nine as part of a camp he attended for children with special needs.
It was love at first swing.
'I've been doing it for a long time, and I want to continue to do better,' he said. 'With the type of swing I have, I didn't expect to be able to hit the ball a reasonable distance. I'm not comparing myself to anybody else. I'm just thinking in my mind, 'what do I need to do to improve?' I know there's ways to do it.'
Charlie already has two aces on his resumé. He nearly added a third on this day.
'Golf has been a wonderful thing for Charlie,' said his father. Physically, mentally and emotionally — particularly when it comes to his autism.
For example, Charlie was initially terrified to play with strangers at a golf course, which can be required when times get busy. Bill recalls the first time that ever happened, with Charlie repeatedly saying, 'Why do I have to play with them?'
Now? He's a social butterfly, engaging in playful banter and small talk, talking about his favourite golfers (Rickie Fowler and Nelly Korda) and yelling things like 'You're a stud!' when Zankowski crushes a drive off the tee. There's also a pretty wicked sense of humour.
'Good thing I'm not wearing my USA sweater, or else a bunch of Canadians might be fighting over me,' said Charlie with a chuckle.
Hayduk, who has worked with countless children and young adults who are autistic at various schools throughout his career and now in his private practice, can only marvel at what he's seeing — and the role the sport he loves has played in it.
'In our business we talk about, 'how do people get regulated?' Well, Charlie is regulated because of what Bill has done. He's given him a purpose, he's given him something to really connect to and enjoy and master,' he said.
'That, to me, is absolutely a thing of beauty. That does my heart good.'
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Bill, a former state government employee, has dedicated his retirement to keeping his only son happy and healthy. He doesn't golf himself, but carries a tripod around the course to shoot video of Charlie's shots, along with his own play-by-play as if he were Jim Nantz.
'You never know when he's going to do something amazing,' said Bill.
They are then uploaded to an Instagram account that has now swelled to more than 50,000 followers.
'Maybe it's the way I swing the club and set myself up different than everyone else?' Charlie said when asked about the support. 'I really do enjoy the folks that are following me. Everywhere I go it's just been great.'
There's also a charitable element to what they do, with more than $60,000 pledged by followers for autism organizations.
Charlie has a part-time job at a grocery store, working three four-hour shifts a week while also being able to take unpaid time away to go on these tours with his father, who he calls his role model.
'We have a really good bond,' he said.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS
Charlie Bristow with his dad Bill (left) at Bel Acres Golf Course Thursday.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS
Charlie Bristow with his dad Bill (left) at Bel Acres Golf Course Thursday.
Before they headed home on Friday morning, Charlie and Bill took in Thursday night's Winnipeg Blue Bombers game at the invitation of kicker Sergio Castillo. Bill does remote, part-time statistical work for a Texas high school football team, which had a connection with Castillo, who invited them down to field level prior to kickoff.
Bel Acres was officially the 276th different course Charlie has now played — he shot 90, which would be about average for him, especially in strong winds. There are already plans well into 2026 to keep adding to that number in various locales, including a first-ever father-and-son trip to the United Kingdom.
Hayduk had one final request as they sat inside the clubhouse following their round, enjoying lunch.
'Put this down in your calendar again for next year. I plan to still be here,' he told Charlie and Bill. 'Watching what you've experienced and how you carry yourself truly inspires me.'
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Mike McIntyreReporter
Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike.
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