My name is Chris Parker. I am 32 years old. I live in Peterborough, Ontario, with my partner Dayna, my one-year-old son Sawyer, and my two step-daughters, Karley, 12, and Keyana, 8.
My educational background is quite diverse. After graduating high school in London, ON, (where I was born and raised), I attended
Sir Sandford Fleming College's School of Natural Resources in Lindsay, ON, where I obtained a three-year Diploma in Parks and Forest Recreation Technology. Upon graduation I moved to Peterborough, ON, where I worked for a year before enroling in
Trent University. Initially I majored in Environmental Studies, but later changed to a joint-major in History and Canadian Studies. I graduated from Trent in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History.
I am currently employed by General Electric Canada's Motors Division in Peterborough. I work in assembly in GE Peterborough's AC Traction business. Specifically, we manufacture AC-electric traction motors that are used to propel GE Locomotives, which are built in Erie, PA. It is not glamorous work, but it pays reasonably well, is low-stress, and I
never have to take my work home with me, which leaves me a little more time to pursue other interests.
In the golf realm, I consider myself first and foremost a researcher and historian. I only took up golf ten years ago, and I am not yet much of a golfer. I consider 100 a good score!
Some of my specific areas of interest include: the origins of golf in Canada; the history of golf course development in Canada; the life and works of Stanley Thompson; and the history of golf course architecture. I'm certainly not an expert in any of these areas, but I do my best to keep informed. Between work and being a Dad, I don't get to do nearly as much research as I'd like, but whenever I get the chance I like to visit archives or other sources of primary information. I also have a modest library of golf books that continues to grow unabated, much to Dayna's chagrin.
When I'm not working or spending time with the family, I do like to golf. I only played five rounds last year, but I often manage to get out a dozen or so times a year. Playing Stanley Thompson courses is a priority for me, as I'm working toward a long-term goal of playing them all. I also like to check out courses of some historical significance, as well as newer courses that seem interesting and well-designed.
I'm a left-handed golfer, and I play an extremely mixed set of clubs, including a vintage Ray Cook putter, a Yonex driver, a Ping demo six iron, a Big Bertha 4-wood and a Cobra pitching wedge. Some day I'd like to get a set of Pings.
You can check out a website I put together
here.