The Graham DeLaet Charity Golf Tournament for the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation raised $370,000 this year. According to Mike Hoffman, chair of the tournament, this was an "huge increase" of $53,000 from last year's tournament.
The Graham DeLaet Charity Golf Tournament for the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation raised $370,000 this year. According to Mike Hoffman, chair of the tournament, this was an "huge increase" of $53,000 from last year's tournament.
"We had an unbelievable outpouring of support, the tournament went really, really well," said Hoffman. Grimes Sales and Service was the title sponsor of the tournament, and they donated a pumpjack to the silent auction that earned the highest bid during the live auction.
DeLaet arrived in Weyburn after tying 12th at the Greenbrier Classic, and earning enough money on the Professional Golf Association Tour to officially come off his medical exemption. "You have to pinch yourself that I can help do something like this for the community," said Graham DeLaet. "Weyburn will always be home for me."
The DeLaet Charity Golf Tournament started with a junior golf clinic, and Hoffman noted that there were more junior golfers attending this year. "It was nice that Graham was able to show them a few things."
"It is pretty amazing that we had the turnout that there was," said DeLaet. "I can remember when I was 10 to 15 years old, there was only three or five of us juniors playing in Weyburn."
For the 18-hole golf tournament itself, Hoffman also noted an increase of participants with 126 golfers this year, compared to 96 last year. "The big thing was that Graham was able to hit balls for teams this time."
After the tournament, there was a banquet held at the Weyburn Curling Rink, with a silent and live auction. "We sold 350 tickets to the banquet this year, and increase from 270 last year," said Hoffman.
From the live and silent auctions there was $214,000 raised. The highest item sold was the pumpjack for $77,000; followed by a John Deer skidsteer for $32,000 and a donated 2004 Ford Mustang 40th Anniversary that went for $23,000.
Hoffman noted that the reason that the event was so successful was because of the support received from sponsors in Weyburn, and an increase of sponsors who were from out of town. "It was great that they all came out to support the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation. The greater area (of southeast Sask.) is seeing that there is a greater need for a new hospital."
Speeches at the banquet were delivered by Coun. Bill Rudachyk, City of Weyburn; Dustin Duncan, MLA for Weyburn-Big Muddy and Health Minister; Marga Cugnet, interim CEO of Sun Country Health Region; and Adam Knight, president of the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation.
"Today we celebrate and recognize a local source of price and raise money for a worthy cause," said Duncan. "The charity golf tournament and the dinner is a great example of how community spirit and corporate support can come together for a very worthy cause."
Duncan noted the important work of the Foundation, which is to raise awareness for the need to replace the aging Weyburn General and of course, working with the City, neighboring rural municipalities, corporate community and residents to raise money.
"Graham, you continue to bring so much pride to your home town and province," said Duncan. "It goes without saying, we all enjoy watching you play, following your progress and your career."
"We all agree that exceptional health services are a priority for every community. Achieving that requires partnerships: governments, health regions, community leaders, health providers and foundations working together," added Duncan. "Many, if not most, health care projects in the province would not be possible without strong local support."
"This event is definitely wonderful for the community," said Marga Cugnet. "It builds strong partnerships so that we can work together for a new hospital."
"I think people had heard about how fun the tournament was last year, and how successful it was, and wanted to attend this years event," said Cugnet, noting the increase of participants in the tournament and those who attended the banquet. "I think people will be looking forward to another event next year."
"Graham is pretty humble, and is just proud to be representing this project," added Cugnet. "Weyburn has such a great community spirit, and the Hospital Foundation has build great partnership with the City of Weyburn, the surrounding RMs and the businesses in our area. It always amazes me how powerful and effective a fundraiser can be when people work together."
The Government of Saskatchewan changed the capital funding formula for health facilities. The province will now pay 80 per cent of the cost of regional health projects, up from the previous total of 65 per cent.
The projected goal of the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation is to raise $20 million, with estimated costs of a new hospital at $100 million. To date, they have raised roughly $11 million of their goal. For more information on the Foundation visit www.wdhf.ca.
