MOOSE JAW — With tee-off just around the corner, Inclusion Moose Jaw is reminding the community that the second annual “Golf for a Purpose” tournament is more than just a fun afternoon on the fairway — it’s an invitation to help build a more inclusive Moose Jaw, one swing at a time.
Set for Friday, June 13, at The Ridge Golf Course, the tournament will raise vital funds to support local programs for children, youth, and adults living with intellectual and cognitive disabilities. For organizers like Nytosha Kober, the event’s real power lies in its impact on individuals — and the stories that remind us why inclusion matters.
“After last year’s tournament, one of the most incredible things happened,” said Kober, president of Inclusion Moose Jaw. “The manager at The Ridge, Earl Swalm, offered to train the son of one of our participants — Tréa Stafford — on the golf ball picker.”
Tréa, who is on the autism spectrum, learned how to independently operate the equipment used to collect balls on the driving range. It quickly became his new favourite task, according to his mother, Kim Churko.
“Now he drives the tractor and does the job completely independently,” Kober said. “That one moment of seeing possibility — and taking the time to train him — created a sense of belonging and purpose. It meant the world to him and his family.”
These are the moments Kober says are at the heart of Inclusion Moose Jaw’s work: helping people find their place in the community, and encouraging others to make space for them.
“We’re all better when we belong,” she said. “And everyone deserves to be part of something — whether that’s at school, at work, in sports, or even just going out for ice cream.”
For some families, that sense of inclusion comes from watching their child be recognized and valued beyond the classroom.
One local mother shared how her son’s experience at Vanier Collegiate gave her hope that inclusion could truly be a reality.
“She told me how people (her son) went to school with would greet him by name at places like Canadian Tire or Sport Chek,” Kober explained. “Those gestures might seem small, but to a parent who’s spent years wondering if their child really fits in, they’re everything.”
That same student received a hand-drawn portrait from a fellow graduate — a piece he still has pinned to the wall at home.
“It was his face, his style, his personality; it meant he wasn’t overlooked, and that he was seen. And those are the moments families remember forever,” she noted.
Another parent described how Inclusion Moose Jaw has helped open doors that were once closed.
“Our son now gets to participate in activities that usually aren’t accessible to people with his disability,” the parent, who wished to remain anonymous, shared in a written statement. “And as local businesses start working with Inclusion Moose Jaw, the whole community is becoming more inclusive.”
Kober said this year's golf tournament will help fund more of these programs, partnerships, and supports.
“It gives us the ability to reach more people — to meet them where they’re at, and help them discover where they belong,” she said. “And for people in the community, it’s a chance to be part of something meaningful.”
Registration remains open for the June 13 tournament, with tickets priced at $90 per player or $350 per team of four. Each ticket includes a meal from Charlotte’s Catering and entry to a day filled with prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and good company.
Proceeds will go directly toward Inclusion Moose Jaw’s programming for individuals aged three to 65. From summer camps to social clubs and life skill development, the organization continues to serve Moose Jaw residents across all stages of life.
“Whether you’re an experienced golfer or just want to have a good time, we’d love to see you there,” Kober added. “It’s not just about the game — it’s about creating opportunity.”
To register, email [email protected], call 306-692-6943, or visit InclusionSK.com for more information.
The Ridge Golf Course is located at 1375 Manitoba Street East and can be reached at 306-693-4653.
