Local Musician Goes Viral With Golf Parody Song

What was supposed to be a fun video shared around friends and family has become viral with almost 80,000 Youtube views in less than a week for musician Chad Driscoll since its release on Sunday.

The song, “Ontario, Let Me Go (Play Some Golf)” is a parody of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads”.

The viral video is about typical golfer experiences and how they cannot golf under the unexpected shutdown extension. Ontario had prohibited golf and other outdoor recreational activities under the new restrictions on April 16.

Driscoll has received massive support and positive reviews from viewers and golf courses extending as far as Ottawa.

“A lot of golf courses have been reaching out and thanking me for the song and stuff which is kind of funny,” he said.

Driscoll released his first album, Unreliable Instincts back in 2011. Photo Courtesy of Chad Driscoll.

The lyrics and recording took roughly an hour. Using John Denver for a parody was a decision that organically happened and was recognizable by all ages according to Driscoll.

He wrote the song as a way to relate his golf experiences with others and express his grief for the sudden decision of not being able to play.

“Talk to any golfer, they’re really frustrated and it’s something that we can all resonate with,” said Driscoll. “I’ve been golfing since I was a kid. It’s been a big part of my life.”

Driscoll attended St. Peter’s Secondary School in Peterborough. Photo Courtesy of Chad Driscoll.

People are looking for things to do during the pandemic and restricting something that is safe can get mentally taxing according to Driscoll.

“It was such a great way to get out of the house,” he said. “It felt normal out there. You didn’t have a mask on and you were six feet away from each other. When they closed, I was really bummed.”

Driscoll’s first live singing performance was when he was 10 in 1991. He participated in the” Nintendo Search for the Stars” singing contest placing second at Lansdowne Place.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Hometown PTBO: Robert Roode Discusses His Athletics in Peterborough, His Close Friendship With Tracey Kelusky and Professional Wrestling Career

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with WWE Superstar and current SmackDown Tag Team Champion (with Dolph Ziggler) Robert Roode on his playing sports as a child, his relationship with local lacrosse star Tracey Kelusky and his career in professional wrestling.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Hometown PTBO: Gary Lawless Growing Up In Peterborough, the City's Great Athletes and His Journalism Career Into the NHL

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with Vegas Golden Knights Insider Gary Lawless on growing up in Peterborough, the local athletes he grew up and played with and his journalism career in town to the NHL.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Local Woman Reeling In the Muskie Fishing Life

Some people use fishing as a way to relax but for Megan Patterson, she seeks the thrill of catching the biggest muskie possible.

Patterson was born in Kingston but moved to Peterborough at an early age. Photo Courtesy of Megan Patterson.

Patterson has fished for over five years and took up the sport after meeting her now-husband who also is an avid fisherman.

Every time she fishes, her goal is to always catch the biggest muskie possible and embrace the thrill that comes along with the catch.

“It’s feeling like the drop of a rollercoaster, there’s a drop in your stomach and so much adrenaline at the same time,” explains Patterson. “It’s an overwhelmingly exciting emotion.”

Patterson works at Trent University as a team member of the Careerspace and Office of the Registrars departments. Photo Courtesy of Megan Patterson.

Patterson fishes at Chemong or Katchewanooka Lake (near Lakefield) during the week but travel out to more faraway places for bigger muskies. Lake St. Clair near Windsor is where she began to fall in love with the sport after having her early fishing experiences there.

Despite Pattersons high angler skill, her goal of catching a 50-inch muskie still eludes her.

“My biggest fish is 49 (inches) and a bit,” she said. “I’ve had so many 48 and 47. I never try to have any expectations when I go to these lakes.”

Despite not meeting her goal, Patterson typically catches at least one muskie a weekend and can have days of catching over 10 in the same timeframe.

Patterson graduated from Trent University with a joint major in business administration and cultural studies in 2015. Photo Courtesy of Megan Patterson.

Patterson is a member of several fishing organizations Muskies Canadaeveral muskie organizations such as Muskies Canada, Canadian Fishing Network and the Ontario Women's Anglers Association.

She also is an ambassador for companies such as Shimano, Musky Maniacs and many more, appearing in trade shows to showcase new fishing products.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Trent University Honours Top Student-Athletes At Virtual Athletics Celebration

It was a fantastic season for Lauryn Bons and Thomas Reid as they were awarded the Arthur Cup, Trent University’s highest athletics award to graduating students for outstanding contribution, sportsmanship, participation and leadership in athletic programs on April 9.

Thomas Reid (left) and Lauryn Bons (right) are originally from Orillia and Trenton, Ontario respectively. Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

The awards were given at Trent’s Excalibur Awards banquet in a virtual setting to honour all of their athletes.

Bons was the female recipient for rugby as an inside back from 2017-2021. She will earn her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology at the end of the semester.

She earned the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) women’s rugby for her outstanding commitment to extracurricular activities in the 2019-2020 season.

“It was an absolute honour to be this year's Arthur Cup award recipient,” said Bons. “My four years at Trent has been an absolutely amazing experience and I am so thankful for my teammates, coaches and professors who have supported me both athletically and academically throughout my degree - I could not have done it without them.”

Bons (right) has played every single position in rugby except for the hooker position. Photo Courtesy of Lauryn Bons.

Reid earned the top male honours in men’s soccer as the team’s captain and as a centre-back defender. He is finishing his fourth year in biology with a minor in psychology and has been on the honour roll for four years running.

“I know a lot of great athletes and great people have won this award in the past so it certainly is an honour to share this award with them as well,” said Reid. “I was actually surprised to find out that I won because there are so many deserving athletes at Trent.”

Reid was named “Rookie of the Year” for Trent men’s soccer in 2017. Photo Courtesy of Thomas Reid.

Both award-winning students are founding members of the 1EX Council, a student-athlete leadership council dedicated to enhancing the overall experience of Excalibur athletes.

Their leadership and high standard in academics earned them the award according to Deborah Bright-Brundle, director of athletics and recreation.

“Lauryn and Thomas have been exemplary representatives of Trent Excalibur, who have demonstrated leadership in this very different year,” she said. “They have demonstrated leadership for their team and for Trent Athletics overall.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Hometown PTBO: Tracey Kelusky Discusses His Lacrosse Upbringing and Career and How He Calls Peterborough Home

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with former National Lacrosse League number one overall pick Tracey Kelusky. The NLL star talks about his lacrosse career, coming back to Peterborough and his new gig as the head coach of the Panther City Lacrosse Club in Texas.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Hometown PTBO: Mark Astrom Recalls Running on the Field During '93 Blue Jays' World Series Walk-Off Home Run

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with Mark Astrom of Peterborough. Astrom shares his experience of running onto the field during Joe Carter’s walk-off home run that gave the Toronto Blue Jays back-to-back World Series Championships in 1993.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Otters Football Tackle Past COVID-19

COVID-19 has made the football offseason much longer for students but one local club kept the tackling spirit alive all year.

The Peterborough Otters of Kawartha Football announced a spring football program for Grade 8-12 students which beings on Apr. 19.

The varsity program was created for competitive players to start or continue offseason training with scrimmage, positional training and practices twice a week.

Guest speakers such as college coaches and players have spoke for the Peterborough Otters football program. Photo Courtesy of Otters Football.

High schools could not have football seasons from the pandemic and Otters football was an outlet for players to continue their development.

“A lot of people, they do confuse football as just a seasonal sport but we want them to understand that there’s an annual commitment to it,” said Sidney Parkes, Otters Football President. “That’s what differentiates between good players and great players.”

Malaki van GIls, 17, has played organized football in Campbellford and for the Peterborough Wolverines of the Ontario Football Conference. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Scrimmage games of 7-on-7 flag football will be played at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School every Friday night with practices every Monday and Wednesday.

“Traditionally we would be a tackle football program but this year we are offering a non-contact alternative due to the COVID-19 protocols,” said Parkes.

Otters Football began in fall of 2020 which offers offseason training, grassroots startups for young children and spring training as part of their year-round program. Photo courtesy of Otters Football.

The spring program is divided into Junior Varsity (2005-2007) and Senior Varsity groups (2002-2004) and runs for 11 weeks into July. Both groups are restricted to 50 players maximum each because of the pandemic.

Players, coaches and volunteers are required to be screened, have their temperature scanned, have their hands and equipment sanitized while wearing masks at all times.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Cheers: Peterborough Petes and Bobcaygeon Brewing Company Brew Petes Lager

In a match made in beer and hockey heaven, The Peterborough Petes have released an officially licensed team-branded beer called “Petes Lager” in a unique partnership with Bobcaygeon Brewing Company.

The beer is a 4.0% light lager and the art was designed by Ryan Dawson and illustrated by freelance artist Cam Miller.

“We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with the Peterborough Petes for the new Petes Lager,” says Richard Wood, President and Co-Founder of Bobcaygeon Brewing Company. “At only 4.0%, this light lager is crisp and refreshing, and we know it will become a fast favourite in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.”

The design reflects on the team’s rich history and an homage to Roger, the Petes mascot. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Petes

When Dawson designed the can, he had the Peterborough community in mind as an important factor for the brand.

“We worked closely with the Petes on what is important to the community and what is important to the team,” he says. “It was a bit of a celebration of the fans in with the Bobcaygeon brand.”

Beer design by Ryan Dawson and illustration by Cam Miller. (Photo by Neil Morton)

Richard Wood, President of Bobcaygeon Brewing Company met Burton Lee, Petes Executive director of business operations last summer at the brewery to discuss partnership ideas according to Wood.

“This isn’t the first time the Petes had been approached about a branded beer. It was the partnership that was important to us,” said Lee. “It’s really been a process. That’s what we’re really excited about, we’re excited about the future of this partnership.”

The beverage is a way to support the Petes, Bobcaygeon Brewing Company, and local restaurants. The lager was another outlet to allow the fans to help the team—especially without a season over the past year.

“During the pandemic, there have been less and less ways to support the Petes so I think this is a great way to support the Petes and have a great beverage,” said Lee. “Know that you’re helping the Petes every time you buy a beer.”

Photo by Neil Morton

The drink will be available now at Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, Bobcaygeon Brewery General store located at 649 The Parkway, Unit 4, and Peterborough beer stores will be able to sell the lager in four to six weeks.

“We know that Petes fans have an appreciation for great beer and great hockey, and we’re very excited to get Petes Lager into their hands,” says Lee. “Any time we can partner with a local business while benefiting our passionate fan base is a win for us. We believe this is a perfect opportunity for beer drinkers and hockey fans to come together to support local business during what has been a challenging year for our community.”

The Peterborough Petes have won nine Ontario Hockey League Championships as a franchise with over 180 players making it to the National Hockey League.

The Bobcaygeon Brewing Company has crafted over 50 different brands of beer.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Trent Athletics Launches Esports Allowing Students To Compete & Connect

Trent Athletics has been focusing on new and innovative ways to support Trent students and provide sport, fitness and recreation opportunities both in-person and by remote delivery this Fall.

As Trent’s campus recreation coordinator, Matt Melo is tasked with ensuring students in both Peterborough and Durham have safe access to recreation opportunities in person (such as beach volleyball and badminton) as well as through remote delivery (online wellness programs, online fitness classes, online trivia nights) in the midst of unprecedented circumstances created by the pandemic.

Photo via Ontario Post-Secondary Esports (OPSE) League website.

One new virtual opportunity Melo has identified is Esports, through which Trent students connect to the Ontario Post-Secondary Esports (OPSE) League, competing both recreationally and competitively against teams from other Ontario universities in the games League of Legends, a strategy-based game, and Rocket League, a fast-paced take on soccer that sees cars substituted for players.

“The program promotes both competitive and recreational Esports and gaming opportunities in the Trent community,” says Melo. “This is the most accessible landscape we have worked with. We are able to provide a new recreational opportunity directly to our students without the need for them to leave their homes. During this time of evolving public health restrictions, recreation of this type is a safe and secure way for students to still interact with one another.”

Graphic via Trent University website

Tryouts and team selection took place earlier this fall and competitive play is underway with games broadcast on the OPSE website. According to the OPSE, up to $24,000 in scholarship money is available to be won based on playoff success.

Students interested in becoming part of the growing Esports community with Trent Athletics can contact campusrec@trentu.ca. 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.