VG at the Fairmont Hockey Golf Tourney
When the invitation came through to send a crew to the Fairmont Ice Hockey Golf Tournament, we were all over it. We love what Dack has been doing at Fairmont High School and had a great time last year. We couldn't wait to get back out there and help them raise money for their program.
Let's be real, not all of us at the office are scratch golfers. But that was never the point of the Fairmont tournament. This event brings together hockey enthusiasts, industry professionals, players and their families, and community builders who are there to help raise money for the program. It's one of those events where the scorecards matter way less than the cause. And honestly, that's exactly the kind of thing we want to be part of.
More Than Just a Golf Day
Walking into the event and seeing VG represented was surreal. I am still blown away when I see people wearing VG out in the wild, excitedly yelling out "the VG guys, what's up!!" and just realizing we are a part of this local community. It's cool and just doesn't get old, ever.
What really struck me this year was how many families showed up. Kids running around, parents talking hockey and business, and everyone united around supporting a program that means something to their community. That's what we're trying to build at VGHC too: that sense of belonging and community. When you're wearing VG, you're not just wearing a shirt; you're part of something bigger. Seeing that in action at the Fairmont tournament reinforced why we do what we do.
The Team Moment
I love that it wasn't about the leaderboard at any point in the day. The day was about getting Caruso, the hardest-working dude at VG day in and day out, out of the warehouse craziness to have some fun. Getting Ryan out from his focus on the Ontario Reign brand launch and seeing him smile for a few hours instead of staring at spreadsheets. Seeing Brock take a break from designing merch, which is mentally exhausting work that we don't talk about enough.
We were there to crush a couple drinks and sandwiches, laugh at each other, and just spend some time out of the office becoming better teammates. It gets busy at the office and we forget why we do this sometimes, and days like this are a perfect reminder. I make the joke all the time: we're making tee shirts. We aren't doctors. We're not in danger. We're making tee shirts.
But here's the thing: we're making tee shirts that mean something to people. And getting out on the course together, seeing who was on (and making fun of how bad I am) made Monday morning that much better for the team. We had some chuckles to share with the rest of the crew. That camaraderie matters more than any sales goals we set for ourselves.
There's something about stepping away from the day-to-day grind that resets your perspective. You realize that the small frustrations (a delayed shipment, a design revision, a vendor issue) are just part of the journey. When you're laughing with your team on a golf course, those things shrink. What stays with you is the memory of Caruso's face when someone hit a particularly bad shot, or Ryan's competitive fire coming out on the back nine, or Brock just enjoying being somewhere other than his desk updating designs.
The Fairmont Program and Why It Matters
Beyond our internal crew, I really believe in what the Fairmont team is doing and represents. I have known Dack for a long time; he coached my son when he was younger. We're an OLU family, but we have a very special place in our heart for the Fairmont program despite being rivals. We do everything we can to help when they need it: sponsoring the team, making them jerseys and workout gear for the season, and offering parents fan merch to wear as well.
That relationship didn't start because of business. It started because Dack is the kind of coach who genuinely cares about his players, on the ice and off. He's building character. He's building hockey culture from the ground up, and that's something we respect deeply at VGHC. When you meet someone who's doing that work, you want to support it however you can.
The cool part about sponsoring Fairmont is that it's authentic. We're not just slapping a logo on a jersey and calling it a day. We're part of their community. We see the kids in the program. We understand what they're trying to build. And we want to help make sure they have the resources to do it right.
Creating Culture, Building Community
This is what separates hockey from a lot of other things: the sense of community. Parents who work different jobs, come from different backgrounds, speak different languages. They all show up for their kids' hockey. They support each other's kids. They rally around a program.
That's the energy we try to capture with Violent Gentlemen. We're not just selling apparel. We're celebrating a culture. We're saying: "You love hockey? You get it? You understand why this matters? Welcome." And when events like the Fairmont tournament bring that community together, we want to be there.
Sponsoring teams, making custom gear, showing up at tournaments. These aren't obligations for us, they're opportunities. Every time we make a jersey for the Fairmont team, we're reminding those players that their community has their back. Every time a parent wears VG to a game, they're representing something bigger than just a brand.
Looking Forward
We're making this an annual thing. Not just because it's a good cause (though it absolutely is), but because of what it does for our team and our connection to the community.
For Dack and the Fairmont program: keep doing what you're doing. The work you're putting in shows. The kids know it, the families know it, and we're honored to be part of that mission. Here's to another great year, another successful golf tournament, and another opportunity to get out of the office and remember why we're all in this together.
And to our team - Caruso, Ryan, Brock, and everyone else who makes VGHC what it is: thanks for making it always feel like we accomplished something together day in and day out.
