Children’s Charity Golf Classic marks 10th tournament this June

Many of the golfers who participate year after year have kept their bows.

The colourful hair bows have become a trademark of the Children’s Charity Golf Classic since its inception in 2011. Of course, Kennedy who is organizer Mark Reid’s daughter, used to wear these bows when she was younger, around the time that her wish was granted by the Children’s Wish Foundation. 

It’s this that sparked the idea over 10 years ago to give back to the Stollery Children’s Hospital, which golfers will do for the first time since 2019 on Saturday, June 25.

“We just walked out of there thinking we gotta give back somehow, right?” Reid told Lakeland Connect. 

“You just don’t realize how local the Stollery Children’s Hospital is. When we bring our kids to the Bonnyville Medical Center, and there’s something seriously wrong, your kid is going to the Stollery Children’s Hospital. 

“It’s not just your kids. It’s your nieces, nephews, grandchildren, friends’ kids. It involves a lot of people, right. We’ve heard a lot of stories since we’ve started this saying, oh, my daughter went there, or my niece went there, all those kinds of things. So we’ve gotten a lot of support,” he said. 

So far 125 golfers are set to tee off at the Bonnyville Golf & Country Club at 1:00 pm, and there’s room for a few more teams as well. Participants are treated to a steak dinner afterward, as well as hole prizes, a silent auction, raffle items, and a 50/50 draw.

The community support from businesses this year has been amazing, said Reid, with various prizes and donations coming through.

“Quite a few companies have stepped up this year and made some donations towards our green fees,” he said. 

“We’re getting more support for donations… we don’t go and ask for big sponsorships. But we’ve had a few companies so far that came up with $500 donations and donating to holes on the golf course that day.”

This tournament marks an important milestone of 10 years with the upcoming date. Typically, a representative from the Stollery travels to Bonnyville for the event, but this year they’re stepping up and making a 10th anniversary cake to commemorate the occasion.

In total, north of $180,000 has been raised since its inception.

Those who’ve donated and sponsored include Yums The Word, Nancy Proctor, with 150 cookies, steaks, and a catered meal; Enerchem International, Claude Prefontaine, Food Hole sponsor on Hole 7; S & T Energy Services Ltd., Jeff and Amber Hughes, Food Hole sponsor on Hole 14; Woods Driving School, Kelly Woods, Hole in One on Hole 13; and MPI Pump Jack Maintenance, Logan Flathers, LSC Industrial, Jarl Groothuysen, Buffalo Trail Liquor Store, Joel Olszowka, Scafom North America, Chris Burke, with tournament cost donations.

“The community is crazy how much they support this event. Obviously, we are thankful for that.” 

For more details to sign up, you can follow the Children’s Charity Golf Classic on Facebook or email ccgcbonnyville@gmail.com.