The net proceeds from the inaugural Graham DeLaet charity golf tournament brought in excess of $310,000 for the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation.
The net proceeds from the inaugural Graham DeLaet charity golf tournament brought in excess of $310,000 for the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation. Funds were raised during the events held on July 27, including the breakfast, sponsorship and participation of the golf tournament, the supper, live and silent auction, and raffle sales.
"While we are still waiting for a few bills to arrive, all proceeds from the tournament will go to the building fund towards the future construction of a new hospital to serve the needs of Weyburn and surrounding area," said Michael Hoffman, chair of the golf committee.
"I am very excited that I had the opportunity to not only come home, but to also assist with raising much-needed funds for the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation," said DeLaet. "This really was an exciting opportunity for me to give back to the community that gave me so much and has supported me over the years as I worked my way onto the PGA Tour."
DeLaet gained his Professional Golf Association Tour card in 2010. "My hope was that the community would embrace this event and that together we would be able to raise significant dollars for this very worthy foundation," said DeLaet. "In the end, my expectations were exceeded and it was heartwarming to see the generosity of the people and businesses with their support of the day's events."
The day included a ceremony at the Weyburn Golf Club, dedicating the golf course road as "Graham DeLaet Drive"; a fundraising breakfast; a junior golf clinic conducted by Graham; a golf tournament where Graham met with each team on the 10th hole and posed for pictures; and a fundraising supper which was followed by both a silent and live auction.
"We are so grateful for the support that the entire community has shown, both to Graham and to the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation," said Hoffman. "It is overwhelming to see the support of local businesses through sponsorships and the support of both individuals and businesses towards the supper and the auctions."
"It reinforces how generous and supportive the residents of Weyburn and area can be, and it shows that they feel that a new hospital is as much of a priority as we do," said Hoffman. "Of course we are indebted to Graham DeLaet for lending his name and support to our fundraising efforts. Without his support we could not have reached this level of success with the tournament and supper."
The Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation Inc. was formed as the fundraising arm for a new Weyburn acute-care hospital. Their initial focus is raising awareness to the need for a new hospital, as well as raising funds to cover 20 per cent of the cost of a new hospital, as mandated by the provincial government. It is estimated that the Foundation's fundraising goal will be around $12 million. Through fundraising and commitments from local governments, they currently have in excess of $3.5 million towards their goal.
