Before Shea Emry could pivot from pro football to long-drive prowess he had to do something much less impressive: Dig his golf clubs out of the snow.
Not a light dusting, either. This was Whistler. In winter. Minus 30.
After years away from golf, Shea had signed up for an amateur long-drive event in Vancouver. There was just one problem; His golf clubs were in a storage unit buried under three feet of snow. “I had to leave the clubs in my house to melt because they were completely frozen,” the husband and father of two recalls with a laugh.
It wasn’t exactly a storybook training montage. His first golf-simulator event didn’t go much better: Shea got zero drives onto the fairway.
But even in that rough first outing something clicked. The former CFL linebacker, two-time Grey Cup champion, TEDx speaker and Canadian Men’s Health Foundation (CMHF) National Champion had found a new competitive outlet in one of golf’s most exhilarating niches.
Three years, dozens of tournaments and countless big swings later Shea has become an elite long-drive athlete, having finished in the top 32 at the 2025 World Championships. Now, he’s bringing his proven skill, celebrated energy and inspiring attitude to golf tournaments across Canada in support of the CMHF.
Shea’s involvement gives tournament organizers a headline activation that is fun, memorable and purpose-driven. At its core is a simple idea: Use the spectacle and camaraderie of a long-drive competition to raise funds while opening the door to real conversations about men’s health.
Why long-drive elevates any golf fundraiser
With many tournaments already featuring long-drive holes, long-drive competitions require little explanation. “It’s a classic part of the day that everyone can instantly understand,” Shea says. “You hit the ball and you get the result.”
Likewise, little encouragement is needed for players to take part. “When you’re on a course with a bunch of guys, there’s always a little bravado and machismo kicking around. Guys care about who hits the ball the furthest.”
That said, a day with Shea isn’t just about putting heavy hitters in the tee box. It’s designed to elevate the entire tournament. Shea works with organizers to shape the activation around the event, whether that means a long-drive demonstration before tee-off, an enhanced on-course competition or short but impactful messages that tie the day back to men’s health.
The key is flow. Golf tournaments have their own rhythm, and Shea understands that better than most. After all, he has spent years enhancing golf tournaments and leading team building through his corporate events company.
‘A powerful metaphor for life’
There’s an easy misconception about long-drive in thinking it’s all about brute force. Yes, power matters. Yes, speed matters. Yes, there is something primal about standing in the tee box and trying to send a golf ball into another postal code.
But Shea knows from experience that adding muscle isn’t necessarily the answer. “When you try to hit a golf ball as hard as possible, what happens? It goes into the woods.”
That’s why long-drive is about more than golf. “It’s a powerful metaphor for life,” Shea says. “When you brute-force and storm your way through life, it negatively affects people. But when you put a little more attention into how you approach things, you get a better result.”
Men know what it feels like to push too hard, to carry too much or try to muscle through stress, family pressure, work demands or health concerns. However, that approach can send life into the woods too. A long-drive competition gives Shea a way to deliver those kinds of messages without making the day feel heavy.
More than a tournament add-on
For organizers, Shea’s long-drive experience is designed to be flexible. It can serve as an electrifying pre-tournament moment on the range. It can turn a driving range, or any sufficiently long fairway, into a long-drive showdown players are still talking about long after the 18th hole. It can be woven into opening remarks, post-play receptions or awards presentations. It can also be supported by CMHF materials such as banners, postcards, brochures, cart cards and digital assets for pre-event promotion.
For events seeking a deeper connection to the cause, the CMHF can provide speakers ranging from Champions to CEO Kenton Boston, who can highlight men’s health and the impact of fundraising. Organizers can even host a live podcast featuring Shea alongside CMHF podcast hosts Mike Cameron and Trevor Botkin.
Driving men’s health forward
The best fundraising events do more than raise money. They create memorable shared experiences, give people a reason to care and bring causes to life.
Golf is a natural fit for men’s health fundraising because it connects people in a way that feels natural and familiar. You’re outside. You’re moving. You’re with a foursome. There is time between shots, time in the cart, time at the range and time afterward to talk. For many men, that kind of shoulder-to-shoulder connection feels more comfortable than sitting across from someone and being asked to open up.
Shea’s long-drive experience enhances that connection. It gives the tournament a focal point. It creates powerful shared memories. And it gives participants a different way to think about strength.
For Shea, the chance to connect his love of long-drive with giving back is the best part. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to spend my time and energy doing what I love in an effort to give back to the community.”
If you’re hosting a golf tournament and would like to support the CMHF, we can help you build an event with purpose. All the way from a headline long-drive activation with Shea to speakers, event materials to meaningful men’s health messaging throughout the day.
To explore options and availability, contact:
Taylor Bruce
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