The advent of spring means the thoughts of many turn to their golf game, as the snow slowly retreats from the area courses.
The Health Foundation is no different, and recently released the details of the upcoming annual Charity Golf Classic, to be held on June 11, with an 11 a.m. shotgun start at the Deer Park Golf Course.
The event has raised $1,070,035 over the past 15 years, which has gone towards buying medical equipment needed throughout the Sunrise Health Region.
Ross Fisher, Executive Director of the Health Foundation, describes the annual tournament as a tremendous and cooperative effort between the foundation and the community.
He describes the golfers as ambassadors for the Health Foundation as they go out to raise money for the event.
“It’s not the Health Foundation doing the work. It’s people in the community here, Esterhazy, Canora, Melville and other places where golfers come from and participate in the tournament. They’re the ones raising money and helping us buy equipment for their communities.”
Sponsorship pays for the costs of the event itself, so all money raised buys medical equipment.
The presenting sponsors for 2015 are Mosaic Potash Esterhazy, SaskTel, Louis Dreyfus Commodities and the Credit Unions of East Central Saskatchewan.
This year, the funds raised will go to buy a wide variety of equipment for area facilities, items such as vital signs monitors, blood analyzers, patient lifts and bariatric equipment are some examples of what the Health Foundation is considering for purchase. Fisher says they are asking facilities outside of Yorkton about what they need and would like to see, and this will determine how funds are used.
Prizes are based on how much money golfers raise.
The top fundraiser will win a $3,000 travel voucher, the second highest fundraiser will win a $1,000 travel voucher, the third highest fundraiser will win a $500 travel voucher. The remaining top 20 fundraisers are awarded a $200 Canadian gift card as a thank you for their work raising money for our local healthcare. Other prizes are available for golfers who reach certain thresholds, including gift cards from area businesses.
Jerry Jemieff, Chair of the organizing committee says that they recommend teams get registered early in order to ensure they are entered into the tournament. They shoot for 144 golfers at the event, and he says that the ranks fill very quickly.
