President’s Weekly Bulletin - Golf and Rotary - Shared Values

As the days grow longer and the greens begin to call, many in Prince Edward County are dusting off their clubs and looking forward to another golf season. There’s something timeless about the game of golf—the quiet focus, the patience it demands, and the satisfaction of a well-played round. But beyond the fairways and scorecards, golf also offers some meaningful parallels to our work in Rotary.

At its heart, golf is a game of integrity. Players call penalties on themselves, even when no one else is watching. This spirit of honesty mirrors Rotary’s guiding principle, the Four-Way Test, which asks us: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? These are not just ideals for meetings and projects—they are values we strive to live by every day.

Golf also teaches patience and perseverance. Not every shot goes where we intend. There are hazards, rough patches, and the occasional lost ball. Yet we continue, adjusting our approach and doing our best with the next shot. Rotary service is much the same. Community challenges—whether food insecurity, environmental protection, or supporting youth—are rarely solved in a single swing. They require sustained effort, collaboration, and the willingness to keep going, even when progress feels slow.

Another similarity lies in fellowship. Some of the best conversations happen walking between holes or sharing a laugh after a missed putt. In Rotary, fellowship is the foundation that strengthens our ability to serve. The connections we build—within our club and across the broader community—make our projects more effective and our experience more meaningful.

And then there’s the idea of leaving the course better than you found it. Golfers repair divots, rake bunkers, and respect the landscape so that others may enjoy it as well. This echoes Rotary’s commitment to stewardship—of our communities, our environment, and our shared future. Whether it’s supporting local initiatives or contributing to global causes, we aim to create lasting, positive impact.

As Arnold Palmer once said, “Success in this game depends less on strength of body than strength of mind and character.” The same could be said of Rotary. Our success is not measured solely by the number of projects we complete, but by the character, compassion, and dedication we bring to our service.

So, as you step onto the first tee this season, consider how the game reflects the values we hold as Rotarians. Play with integrity, support your fellow players, and take pride in contributing to something greater than yourself. And perhaps, like a good round of golf, our collective efforts will bring both challenge and reward—reminding us why we do what we do.

Here’s to a wonderful golf season and to continuing our work together in service above self.Top of Form

Yvonne Buys President 2025/26

Thought for the week.. 

“Golf is a game of inches. The most important are the six inches between your ears.”– Jack Nicklaus

This Week's Zoom Meeting Details:

Topic: Weekly Rotary Meeting
Time: Mar. 30, 2026, 07:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81827939082
Meeting ID: 818 2793 9082
Passcode: rotary