Teeing off to honor a legacy

THE WEEKEND OF AUG. 6-7 promises to be an occasion that Jamie Packer would have enjoyed.

It is then that hundreds of Packer’s friends and family will gather at Hidden Lakes Golf Resort near Sandpoint to raise money to benefit Packer’s young widow, Sheila, and their three small children ages 6, 4 and 10 months.

Packer died this month in a car accident. Traveling to Kalispell, Mont., for a golf tournament, the 34-year-old head golf pro at Hidden Lakes Resort swerved to miss a deer and collided with another vehicle. Packer was killed instantly, leaving a community grieving for a man who gave so much of his time, friendship and faith.

The Packer Family Foundation Fundraising Scramble is testimony to two things for which Packer was admired: his passion for golf and his passion for helping others. His death has affected many people in this tightly knit community, including his fellow parishioners, neighbors, golf students, colleagues and fellow hockey players.

“It’s as sad as it gets,” said Mike Deprez, director of golf at Hidden Lakes and Packer’s longtime colleague and close friend. “But as sad as it is, there was also nothing as inspiring as Jamie’s funeral.”

A crowd, which Deprez estimates was close to 700, gathered July 13 to say goodbye to Packer. Some of those in attendance said they came away with a desire to live their lives as Packer did, helping and encouraging others.

“Jamie had a way of making everyone he met feel special,” said Tamara Scrimsher, a golf student and friend of Packer’s.

Twelve-year-old Jessie Webster was one of Packer’s students for the past 5 years. She said his death has left a void in her life.

“He was such an awesome coach,” said Webster. She recalls last year when she made her first par at Hidden Lakes.

“He (Jamie) got really excited,” said Webster. “He was always encouraging and positive.”

But for all Packer did for those in his community, it is now time for the community to give back to his family.

Organizers say that approximately 95 percent of the money raised from the tournament will go to the Packer family. Jack Dyck is the former athletic director for Sandpoint High School and one of the organizers of the tournament. During his tenure at the high school, Dyck worked closely with Packer.

“Jamie and Mike (Deprez) were always very gracious to the high school and were always taking care of our kids,” said Dyck.

For Deprez, the tournament is one way to work through the grief of losing his friend and co-worker.

“I look at my loss and then I look at the loss being felt by the family,” said Deprez. He contemplated ways to lighten the burden for the family and came up with the idea of the golf tournament. It is a way to both honor his friend and to help Sheila and the kids.

Players can golf on either or both of the tournament days. There are openings for a total of 72 teams, and the entry fee is $225 per player.

“We are already up to almost 50 teams,” said Dyck.

The cost to sponsor one of the tees or greens is $1,000, and Hidden Lakes is donating the green fees, cart rentals and proceeds from food sold over the weekend.

In addition to the tournament there will also be an auction of various golf trips.

Dyck said that all courses and vendors who have been approached have been more than willing to donate to help the family of a fellow golfer.

“It’s been pretty terrific,” he said.

The money raised from the tournament and auction will be combined with donations that have been put into an account at Mountain West Bank. From the combined funds a trust account will be established to help with many expenses, including the children’s future college tuition.

“We’ve received donations ranging from $10 to $5,000,” said Dyck. He added that kids who were once golf students of Packer are bringing in whatever money they have to help out his family.

The goal is to raise $100,000 this year. Organizers plan to make it an annual event.

“We want to get people involved so we can have a meaningful impact on his kids’ and wife’s lives in both the short and the long term,” said Deprez.

The impact Packer had on those he met is sure to be long-term. He is described as an upbeat spiritual family man who always had a smile on his face.

“Jamie never had a bad day,” said Dyck. “He was always patient and very giving. He was the type of person you really wanted to be around.”

The community response has been a great comfort to the loved ones Packer left behind.

“There has been an overwhelming amount of support,” said Packer’s wife Sheila. “I feel very lucky to be living in this community.”

She said she is grateful to all who have supported her during these difficult days, even people she has never met.

“We are not even taking it one day at a time, we are taking it one moment at a time,” said Sheila. “I have a lot of people looking out for me. They are my eyes and ears of the future and are thinking beyond to things I cannot comprehend today.”

Packer’s parents, Julian and Sue Packer, say they, too, are overwhelmed at how the community has come together to support their daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

Julian Packer, who lives with his wife in Peace River, Alberta, said that since Jamie left home, he and Sue have missed being a part of their son’s daily life.

“When your child leaves home you lose that knowledge of their daily activities. It’s been extremely gratifying to hear all the wonderful stories (of Jamie’s adult life),” said Julian.

Both Sheila Packer and Jamie’s parents plan on attending the golf tournament.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” said Sheila.