GRANITE CITY, Ill. — Legacy Golf Course in Granite City, Illinois has a secret weapon in 80-year-old Ed Coulson, a former car dealer.
Ed is a volunteer groundskeeper who meticulously manicures every inch of the course, making every golfer's round a sight to see. Armed with a trusty weed whacker, Ed roams the course, dedicating his time and effort to keep the grounds in pristine condition.
"I just like things to look neat and it gives me something to do," Ed said.
Despite his efforts to stay out of the limelight, Ed's work doesn't go unnoticed. Justin Brinkmeyer, Director of Parks and Recreation in the Granite City Park District, often hears praise for Ed's dedication. "People will always make comments, 'Man, the fellow that you have working out at the golf course, he is out there weed eating all the time, or he is out there picking trash up all the time.'"
When asked about Ed's compensation, Brinkmeyer laughed, "Nothing!"
Remarkably, Ed volunteers his time five to six days a week without receiving a single dime. "I just do it because I want to stay busy," he shares.
Ed's commitment to the golf course is unwavering. He finds joy in not having to clock in, yet he is consistent. "I spring trim probably 500 trees on this golf course and about 10 lakes and about a dozen sand bunkers and 18 tees. And it takes me approximately three weeks to cycle all the way through the whole," he explains.
However, staying busy is more than just a way for Ed to pass the time; it's a means of coping with an immeasurable loss. Just weeks ago, his beloved wife Marilyn passed away. They would have celebrated their 42nd anniversary this year.
Several times a week, Ed visits Marilyn's resting place, kneeling by her side and chatting about his day as if she's right there with him. "I'm a firm believer of spirits. I miss her. So I try to stay busy. That gets my mind off of it," he said.
The golf course has become a sanctuary, where every carefully tended patch of green becomes a tribute to love lost and a life still to be lived.
"About two years ago I saw this man on my run almost every day cleaning the ditches, weed-whacking, picking up golf balls um cuttin greens and I thought to myself I wonder who this guy is," said Ed's neighbor, Chris Mitchell.
Mitchell recognizes the importance of having someone like Ed in the community. "I think it's just crucial to have a man like him just living in our community and hopefully someone sees this and thinks, 'How could I give back to our community too?'"
Ed serves as a reminder that healing can be found in giving back even in the depths of grief. "He doesn't want anything for it. He just wants to make a difference," Brinkmeyer said.
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