The Volunteer committee for the Carlyle swimming pool held their 3rd Annual Golf Tournament on Aug.11, raising $23,000 to help fund the pools recent construction and remodeling. This amount was down slightly from last year, but the organizers went into it knowing it would be lower as the corporate sponsorship was down.
The golf tournament, held at the Carlyle Golf Course, was home to several sponsors, including a large prize sponsor for each hole-in-one contest; 82 local golfers, the most ever for this event, participated in the 18-hole tournament which also included a breakfast, banquet, and auction.
The participants came in full happy spirits at 10:30 a.m. for registration, several sporting inflatable inner tubes and swimming wings, some even decorating their golf karts.
The swimming pool had a troubled start earlier in the summer after learning that a variety of repairs were needed to get the pool running. The repairs took longer than expected and caused a setback in opening, but are now almost complete, with small additions foreseen for the fall.
The repairs were very costly, and even with generous donations from local businesses, the golf tournament's monies will be put to good use.
The five-man best ball tournament had an 11 a.m. shotgun start. The first and second place teams went home with large cash prizes.
The biggest surprise of the day was how dedicated the participants were, after enduring the 18-hole golf course in the frequent rain showers. This may have dampened some clothing, but never dampened their moods. Smiles could be seen on all.
"We are hoping that despite the rainy weather they experienced that they will come back next year," explained Mandy Irwin, one of the event organizers.
After a long tiring day of excitement, the hungry golfers headed over to Lion's Park where there were silent and Chinese auctions, with several prizes to win including golf club sets and golf sweaters.
First and second prizes this year were sponsored by Bear Claw Casino. The $1,000 cash first prize was won by the CanElson Drilling team of Lorne Rose, Mike Lonechild, Dean Bellegarde, Francis McArthur, and Frank McArthur.
Second prize was $500 and awarded to Gord Jarvis, Earl Silcox, Don Pontius, CJ Gelowitz and Dennis Lizuck.
The grand prize winner Don Pontius, took home a 50' flat screen Panasonic tv, along with 3D blu ray player and surround sound system, sponsored by Penn West Energy.
Dinner was served around 6 p.m, and was hosted by David and Shelley Slykhuis who prepared a lovely ham dinner with all the fixings. A fancy selection of the finest beverages was also on site.
Overall it was a third successful year for this tournament, and the organizers hope to continue the tradition with bigger and better tournaments in the years to follow.
"Although no hole in one was made, one ball landed about 8 Inches from the cup and spun out in the other direction," explained Irwin.
For more information on ways to help your neighbourhood swimming pool, which provides everyone with an escape from the heat each year, please contact Mandy Irwin at 453-2336.
