As long as your Dad wants this fish it should be fine* to keep him in a 3 gallon but you need to do as many water changes as possible between that time (The minimum being 1 x 2/3 WC per day). Maybe also depends on the size of the Goldie and species. I have pleaded with my girl friends cousin to remove her fancy gold fish (3inch from head to tail) from the 1 gallon bowl she keeps it in, but she has refused and the fish lives on. probably suffering but living none the less. I do not advocate for the method you are choosing. IMO it would have been better if you brought your father to the pet store you work at and have him pick out his own fish then the fish doe not have to be sitting a 3 gallon tank for 3 days and you dad still get his goldie (if that is what he truly wants). Pets are usually not the best gifts.
*I use the word "fine" to suggest the fish will most likely survive not to mean that the act of keeping a large fish in a 3 gallon container is good.
I texted him earlier before I bought the goldie to see if he wants a goldfish, he said sure. I don't have time to do a water change right now, since I'm about to leave for work. I'll do one when I get home.
The tank has a filter on it. It's a 3 gallon tank, not a bowl. I don't have any prime and my 5 gallon bucket is outside, full of snow. I use well water.. If I could I could put him into my 37g to keep him from getting sick in the small tank. I didn't want to get it sunday, drive 30 mins to get home to get the other things I need to take to my dad's and then drive a hour to his house. So I thought I'd get the goldie now and set him rest..