NEW OFFICE OPENS IN MCCALL, IDAHO
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SHADOW TRACKERS, INC. DONATES $3,500 TO YOUTH PROGRAM!

Caldwell, ID—Although he’s been gone for nearly eight years now, Pete Cowles’ legacy and his commitment to that legacy live on.  The former Caldwell mayor and Idaho State policeman died tragically in 1999 from a viral infection at the age of 37. But in that short span, Cowles managed to make a difference, especially when it came to kids and to the game he adored – golf.

The Caldwell Junior Golf program garnered dividends recently in Cowles memory with a $3,500 check from Shadow Trackers, Inc., of Meridian.  “I knew from past experience that this just felt right,’’ said Ron Kern, Shadow Trackers CEO Ron Kern said. “I know if Pete is looking down, he’s smiling.’’  So is Fairview Golf Course PGA professional Lenny Stroup, who accepted Kern’s generosity with Purple Sage head pro, John Watson.  “Absolutely, we can do so much with an amount like this. I haven’t had the opportunity to meet with the golf board yet but it will be something directly going back to the kids,’’ said Stroup, who had over 125 youth in his play-day program last year and over 60 in his lesson program. “We can figure out all the how’s, why’s, where’s and when’s with this sized windfall but I’ve talked to a few board members about providing some equipment and instruction to youth needing financial assistance and are interested in taking up golf.’’

Watson worked several tournaments with Cowles back in the 1990s and knows Shadow Trackers’ generosity is going to the right spot.

“I knew Pete and I know he absolutely loved golf so I know he would be so pleased you chose this avenue to help youth golf here in Caldwell,’’ Watson told Kerns at a small ceremony at Stoup’s downtown Caldwell nine-hole course.

Kern first met Cowles when both pledged to play in a benefit tournament for former Boise policeman Mark Stall, who himself was killed in the line of duty.

“I met Pete and his wife, Rhonda, at Mark Stall’s event,’’ Kern said. “After his death, we asked Rhonda if we could run a tournament for Pete and she was all for it.

“We started Pete’s memorial tournament to raise money to give back to youth. Pete loved golf and he loved kids. We said if we could do anything, we were more than willing.’’

When the tournament ended, Kerns found he had money left over and sent his brother, Dan, to find a worthy beneficiary.

“My brother went out asking around the Valley and he contacted Lenny. We were looking for someone with a strong commitment to youth,’’ Kern said. “After talking with Lenny, he got the strong notion this was definitely the place. We know the money will be well maintained and well spent. We hope this will have a huge impact on youth golf here.

“We are from Meridian and there’s a lot of golf courses between us and Fairview but we truly believe this is the place because we know Pete would have told us this was the place.’’

Cowles was born in Connecticut and lived in Florida before moving to Caldwell at age 12. He attended the College of Idaho before graduating from Lewis & Clark State.

“Pete cared for kids. Lenny’s program is right in line with Pete’s philosophy,’’ Kern said. “We wanted to help make sure Pete’s dream lives on.’’  Stroup is more than appreciative for Kern’s pledge.

“When they first contacted me, they asked how much I’d need to make a difference and I said, ‘I don’t know, maybe a thousand,’’ Stroup said. “When Ron got here and I asked him what I should fill in on our big check, he says $3,500. I said ‘OOOOHHHHH.’ That was unbelievable.’’

“We’re hoping this program teaches what Pete believed in,’’ Kern said. “A program that teaches patience and self reliance, not to mention if a kid is out on the golf course learning things he can use off the golf course in his day-to-day life, well, that can only help and that’s the bottom line, we wanted to help develop Caldwell’s youth and we hope this can help.’’

By Greg Kilmer