Local Shrine Club’s fundraising golf tournament goes international
Reeti Meenakshi Rohilla - Staff Writer
The Sioux Lookout Shrine Club’s third Charity Golf Tournament will be going global this year, while raising money to support Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada. This year’s global format will enable participants to play at their preferred time and at a course of their choice between August 11 and August 21.
Co-chair of the Shrine Ladies Golf Tournament committee, Tara Drew shared that their first Charity Golf Tournament was held in a conventional manner pre-COVID, in 2019, at the Sioux Lookout Golf and Curling Club. She added, “In 2020, we had to change it up in order to respect COVID-19 guidelines. So, the Ladies of the Sioux Lookout Shrine Club came up with a Global tournament format, which allowed participants to play anywhere in the world on any day during an established week. This format provided participants to adjust for heat or rain days and was consistent with COVID-19 restrictions and golf guidelines.”
The tournament committee has been planning and preparing for this event since the completion of last year’s tournament, shared Drew, adding, “Our team of volunteers has been meeting and brainstorming how to navigate the time we are in and how to have a successful event.” The 2-person, best ball, 9-hole tournament is open for all ages, with a $25/per person registration fee. All participants will receive a $25 tax receipt.
“Golfers send in a photo of their scorecards and prizes will be awarded accordingly,” shared Drew. “Due to the format, players can play any course in the world and send in their score cards,” she added.
Those looking to sign-up may reach out to Drew via email at drew.knorz@gmail.com. Further event details and updates can also be found on Sioux Lookout Shrine Club Global Charity Golf Tournament’s Facebook page.
This year’s event will raise funds to purchase iPads for Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada.
Drew shared, “This year we are donating funds to Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada, which is in Montreal and has supported a child from Sioux Lookout. Each year, the First Lady of Khartum chooses a project to support in conjunction with the Canadian hospital. The money raised in our 2019 and 2020 tournaments went towards purchasing wheelchairs for patients to get to appointments within the hospital. So far, the Sioux Lookout tournament has raised $15,000 to purchase three wheelchairs.
“This year, First Lady Lindsey has chosen a project to purchase iPads for patients with a condition known as Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC). AMC is clinically defined as congenital (from birth) joint contractures in two or more areas of the body; meaning affected joints become permanently fixed in a bent or straightened position. This rare condition can completely or partially restrict joint movement, impacting the joint function and range of motion. AMC affects approximately 1 in 3,000 people. The iPads will help the patients communicate and improve their daily lives.
“The registration fees for the tournament will go towards the purchase of iPads. Other funds raised during the tournament’s COVID friendly activities (donations, silent auction, and blind darts) will be donated to the Transportation Fund that provides funding for transporting patients and their parents/guardians to medical appointments and the Shrine Hospitals.”
Drew shared that this funding and support enables any child with a condition that is treated by the Shrine Hospitals, to receive World Class treatment free of charge, regardless of socioeconomic status or nationality. Doctors who are global leading researchers in their fields strengthen the Shrine Hospitals. “When we help children and their families during challenging times in their lives, we help society to remember that caring and support is a global human pursuit,” shared Drew.
The tournament committee is encouraging as many people as possible to join the tournament, looking forward to a successful event that is able to raise enough funds for two iPads and provide money for the Transportation Fund. Some event prizes include best men’s, women’s, and mixed teams, most honest team, most average team, team furthest away from Sioux Lookout, and closest to the pin. “It is 9 holes, two hours out of your day in the sunshine to support children that are so thankful for your support,” shared Drew.
The tournament’s Facebook page states that if COVID protocols permit, they hope to offer dinner with a silent auction and games on the evening of August 21 at the Sioux Lookout Legion. It adds that in case this may not be possible, the auction will be held online with further details to follow.
