27 years ago in 1997, one of our ace outside salespeople, Ron Winner, made a suggestion at one of our all-hands sales meetings that brought all conversation to a halt. He said, “What do you think about having a Shepley golf tournament?” The room went silent, and I remember more than a few sets of eyes trained on me, waiting for an answer.
To set the stage for this, I should reveal that I am not the most patient person in the world. I will never be a real fisherman; I just don’t sit still that well for that long. I will also never play more than my current lifetime total of under ten games of golf. For me, it wouldn’t be relaxing. Why would I take up a potentially frustrating sport that I know I would never have the time to get good at? Give me a race car, a polo pony, or a fast boat, and I’m your guy. Although I appreciate the social aspects of golf—the relationships and friendships made on the course—it just doesn’t go fast enough to captivate me. We have lived next to a golf course for 25 years, which is pretty ironic. Although I love the view, I just don’t play. Actually, 27 years ago, I think I had a bit of a reputation for being down on golf, at least among the people I have the pleasure of working with. I think they thought of me as a bit of a golf Scrooge. “Bah humbug! Been out wasting your time on the golf course again, chasing the ball, losing the ball, cursing the ball…?” Somehow, golf seemed, in those days, to be at odds with the work mission—at least in my mind. However, the best thing about youth is…we all outgrow it. I grew up, and now I understand that golf has its purpose!
Back to the sales meeting in 1997: first the question, “What do you think about a Shepley golf tournament?” and then the silence. Yes, you might have been able to hear a pin drop. Other salespeople were wondering if they were witnessing a bit of career suicide or at least a good flesh wound.
Maybe I was mellowing as I advanced forward from my youth; maybe I was realizing that we’re all entitled to choose our entertainment; or maybe I just saw an opportunity. I said, “OK, we can have a golf tournament on three conditions.”
1. We use the event to raise money for charitable causes on Cape Cod.
2. We name it after something fast, hence the name: the Shepley Wide Open.
3. I wouldn’t have to play.
Here’s a little background on the no-playing condition outlined in point #3: in one of those few times I have been on a golf course, we were taken to a PGA event, TPC Sawgrass in Florida. I told my host I really wasn’t worthy, but he insisted, and we went. The day after the PGA pros played, we took to the course. They had our names up on the leaderboards, and we played the same course as the pros. I even imagined that perhaps I had some form and made one or two lucky shots. When we got to the 17th hole, which is out on an island in the middle of a lagoon, they filmed our drives. They emailed me my video, and the reality hit me: I didn’t look at all like the graceful golfer I saw in my mind; I looked like an angry gorilla with a stick trying to club an enemy to death. That was the official end of my very short golf career. No amount of golf lessons or equipment upgrades would possibly fix the angry gorilla in me!
The average golf tournament, according to the pros we have worked with over the past 27 years while putting on the Shepley Wide Open, lasts 2–3 years. They are a lot of work, and it is hard to raise money with tournaments. This year is our 27th anniversary of the Shepley Wide Open. Our company covers the direct expenses of the event so that every dollar raised goes to local charities. We pick a theme for each year, and 2024 is dedicated to our military and first responders. We typically net in the range of $50,000 to be distributed, bringing our total raised to over $1.3 million over the life of the tournament so far. The best parts are that it has sold out every year for as long as we can remember, our Shepley team has been super enthusiastic and committed, and this event feels fresh and exciting year after year. The Wide Open has gotten better with age. Our success is owed to our sponsors and our players. You make this tournament work. We are proud to have you involved, and our community thanks you as well. Here’s to #28 in 2025!
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” — Albert Schweitzer