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Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Sports - Heartwarming Golf story Charlie golfing in the taller grass as his dad Bill Bristow records him at Bel Acres Golf Course Thursday. Story: A young Minnesota man named Charlie Bristow has gained some fame through an Instagram account he has called Charlie’s golfing club. This kid has advanced scoliosis, and is autistic, but has made friends around the world playing the sport. He basically travels to new places to play. A Winnipeg man named Eugene Hayduk, who is a social worker, heard about this and invited Charlie and his dad (who runs his account and is his 24/7 helper) to come up here to play. They will meet for first time tomorrow morning before hitting Bel Acres for 18 holes. Hayduk, who knew me from my past crime writing life, filled me in and suggested it might be a nice story. I agree. Says Hayduk: “I've played the game since I was 14 years old and I'm now 64 . Charlies story inspired me as I have worked with a number of youth with autism spectrum disorder. I've also endured a number of surgeries for my stage four cancer diagnosis as has Charlie for his scoliosis. Seeing him swing the club given his challenges - inspired me- so I have been following along his journey. The fact that his dad agreed, and he agreed to tee it up with me this Thursday at my home course- has me very fired up and excited!” Aug 14th, 2025
