Golfing and local live music with Gonzo Okanagan
By Shane Collins
One of the many things I love about working with this crew here at Gonzo Okanagan is the fact that I’m part of a team who is actively trying to support, promote and feature our local musicians and venues right here at home.
On June 25, 2022, Gonzo Okanagan will host their 3rd annual golf tournament and music festival brought to you by Cleaning Angels. Now, I’m not much of a golfer. Watching me play golf is like watching a monkey swinging wrenches. Mark Twain once wrote that ‘Golf is a good walk spoiled.’ I used to think the same way. Brad Krauza, the head of Gonzo Okanagan and tournament organizer, has a plan to spoil that point of view and I’m here to tell you just a little bit about what’s in store for this unique event.
Mark Twain may have thought that golf is a good way to spoil a good walk, but I bet ya he never had live music at all 18 holes before. Nineteen if you count the music on the putting green. That changes my tune right there. All of the bands are local. The tournament has been sold out. The spots for the sponsors have also sold out and you know what? Tickets were sold out in seven minutes!!
Let’s not forget about the festival side of the event. SUNSET RANCH GOLF COURSE will not only host the tournament, but will also have bands like THE DIRT ROAD OPERA, COD GONE WILD, RAQUEL COLE, ROGER GABRIEL, CHRIS BUCK AND THE WASHBOARD UNION.
Concert tickets available here!
As I write this, there are still a few more acts to be announced. All of this music, all of these sponsors and all of the efforts to put this together are all local businesses and artists alike. Working together to not only feature the music industry itself, but to raise money for a good cause, too. This is what I’m so excited about. Everyone working together to promote our local talent.
Proceeds from this event will benefit the MUSICOUNTS charity and the not for profit, Gonzo Fundraising Association. Money will be poured right back into the community. This isn’t your average golf tournament. No way. With this ragtag band of yahoo’s behind the scenes and with Brad at the helm, you can count on a great round of golf in a beautiful setting, local musicians playing their music on every hole, a music festival afterwards, food, drinks and fun for all to be had in the warmth of an Okanagan summer.
Yeah, I’m putting this one on my calendar and I hope to see you all there for an event that won’t only bring you out to the links, but it will support our local musicians, businesses and our community as well. Take that Mark Twain. Maybe golf isn’t so bad after all.
