More than two decades ago, Brian Schaal made a decision to pursue a new career path—and he hasn't looked back.

Mechanics come and go, but having a job you love can change many aspects of your life.

“I was working in the tune-up business before,” said Brian Schaal, the general manager and executive professional at Copper Point Golf Club in Invermere. “But I have a friend who golfs and I was always kind of jealous of his lifestyle—who he was meeting and what kinds of things he was doing—so I went to The San Diego Golf Academy to get a degree.”

Schaal has been working as a golf professional since 1991, and came to Copper Point Golf Club in 2004. Schaal enjoys the people he meets and he is involved in the community; often, he spends his spare time on the course too.

Copper Point has been highlighted in the community for participating in a variety of fundraising events. Last year, Schaal said, Copper Point helped the local food bank serve roughly 800 people Christmas dinner at an event called Feed the Town. The company also participates in fundraising events like Relay for Life, Turn Copper to Gold and a Lion’s Day. The organization has contributed to the Summit Youth Centre, the Alberta Adolescence Recovery Centre in Calgary, and the Hockey Canada Skills Academy. The Kelly Hrudey fundraiser set for August 15 and 16, 2012, is one of this year’s big events.

“We do a lot of charity events,” Schaal said. “At the Kelly Hrudey fundraiser, we’re going to have all kinds of celebrities there.”