Normally, I wouldn’t be very happy getting up at 4:30 in the morning to drive three hours to London, but this is a bit different. This time, it was to beautiful Sunningdale Golf and Country Club to volunteer my time and talent to the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Canada, and the generous individuals and families giving selflessly to others who aren’t so fortunate.

Well, as selfless as you can be golfing all day…

And what a day it is. Over 170 golfers, games, contests as some holes (like win a car for a hole in one), sandwiches at other holes, free water/cola, smiles and good times all on a course with a driving range and practice greens in better condition than I play on! Everyone was having such a good time, nobody complained about the soaring heat or the humidity you could swim through.

I started working for McHugh and Co. Photographers two years ago to fill in extra time shooting children’s portraits at daycares, and working with so many children, you get attached to them, and protective of them. So, to give back, we volunteer to shoot the RMHC® Charity Golf Classic – Michael (the McHugh in McHugh & Co. and the guy in the very last picture) has been shooting the tournament for 27 years! After that long, he’s gotten to know a few people, so while we’re out on the course, he’ll run up to a friend, grab their club, drop a ball and whack it just for kicks. He’s a heck of a golfer.

At the end of the day, during an awesome appetizer of chicken wings and checking out the silent auction, guess who showed up? Ronnie himself!! Mr. McDonald beamed as he shook hands with everyone – and one baby who wasn’t so happy to meet him…

On my way out, I made a point to thank Ronald for the day, and ‘those awesome Quarter Pounder meals’ as I patted my stuck out belly.

The few golfers around laughed, but Ronald told me he was glad. I don’t think he got the joke. So I’ll try again next year…