The 11th Annual Charity Golf Classic had an exceptionally strong year with a record $120,660 in pledges raised by the golfers. The funds will purchase equipment for 16 facilities in 13 local communities in Sunrise Health Region.
"The Charity Golf Classic has golf teams from communities throughout this region participating and raising pledges, and we try to return that support by purchasing equipment for every healthcare facility in Sunrise Health Region," said Kim Sapara, Co-chair of the board of The Health Foundation. "Obviously our golfers like the structure of the Charity Golf Classic as the tournament is full each year and the golfers are raising more money each year."
There is tremendous support from individuals throughout the region for the tournament as well. This year 1,692 pledges were made to golfers; that's a huge number of people making pledges, and it shows how much work the golfers do raising funds.
"We have to thank our presenting sponsors who did a great job organizing the tournament this year, said Ross Fisher, Executive Director of The Health Foundation. The Presenting Sponsors contribute $2,500 each to help cover the costs of the tournament, but they also help to organize the Charity Golf Classic in addition to their financial donation." "While we had great support from the business community generally, we have to recognize CAA Travel," continued Mr. Fisher. "CAA has provided our top prizes for 10 consecutive years."
First prize this year was a 7-day Caribbean cruise two, second prize was a 4-day trip for two to Las Vegas and 3rd prize was a $600 travel voucher with CAA.
"In the eleven years of the Charity Golf Classic just over $730,000 has been raised and invested back into improving our local healthcare,"
This year the top fundraising team was Kris Sapara, Kim Sapara, Dave Nussbaumer, and Laurie Fischer, who raised $32,215; the most any team has ever raised. They were presented with the Credit Unions of East Central Saskatchewan Top Fundraising Team Trophy.
This was the first year ever The Health Foundation Charity Golf Classic had two teams raise over $20,000; also raising over $20,000 was Brent Murdock's team, all of whom were from LDM Foods.
The individual who raised the most pledges was Laurie Fischer of Winnipeg, who raised $13,450 and won the 7-day cruise. Linda Koroluk of CAA Travel presented Mr. Fischer his trip.
The cost of the trip is paid entirely by CAA Travel Saskatchewan, and The Health Foundation is grateful to CAA Travel for their annual support of the Charity Golf Classic.
Brent Murdoch, of LDM Foods, raised $13,085, the second highest amount of money, and won the trip for two to Las Vegas.
Ken Chyz raised $7,395 the third highest amount of money and won the travel voucher. Remarkable this year was that almost all of the golfers showed up at the golf course for the tournament even though it rained all day. They stayed and golfed, and most everyone was present for the banquet and the awards.
The equipment that will be purchased from the Charity Golf Classic is arranged with the healthcare facility in each community before the golf tournament. Budgeting is based on the results of the previous year. If there is a surplus equipment is purchased that the whole region will use.
The members of the 2009 Charity Golf Classic Organizing Committee are: Chair, Jerry Jemieff of Autohire; Sheila Johnson of SaskTel; Don Bruner representing Mosaic Potash Esterhazy, Corvyn Neufeld for the Credit Unions of east Central Saskatchewan, Brent Murdoch of LDM Foods Inc., John Neufeld and Ross Fisher.
