ESTEVAN — The Estevan Lions Club hosted its 29th annual charity golf tournament, with proceeds split between CNIB and the Rusty Duce Park upgrades.
Eighty golfers partook in this year's event, and a lot of them have been supporting the cause throughout the history of the tournament.
As part of the round, all players had to make one blindfolded tee shot. Kyle Mason, executive director of CNIB Saskatchewan, based out of Winnipeg, and Aashini Patel, CNIB program co-ordinator, peer support and recreation, based out of Regina, were manning the hole and greeting players, thanking them for the support.
"We're always grateful to the Lions Club and everybody that participates and joins them, supporting CNIB," Mason said.
"We offer some much-needed programs and services to the sight-loss community and we couldn't do it without the support."
He noted that all funds raised at the golf tournament stay local and help support programs offered by CNIB in the Estevan area.
Nancy Brodeur, Estevan Lions Club treasurer, said they were happy with the event.
"It went really, really well. Everyone had an awesome time, we got lots of compliments on our food, we gave away lots of door prizes, and we had a successful silent auction. So yes, it was very successful," Brodeur said.
Part of the approximately $6,000-$7,000 raised on the day of the tournament will go towards putting permanent boards up at the Rusty Duce Playpark rink that the club looks after.
"We're trying to raise $130,000 to put permanent boards up at Rusty Duce Park so that the facility can be used year-round," Brodeur said.
The club is about halfway to getting the needed funds for the project. They hosted a Duelling Pianos date night last October to kick off the campaign and plan on repeating the success this year in hopes of having enough money to complete everything next summer.
Brodeur noted the local club has quite a few community projects, including maintenance of Rusty Duce Park and rink, the Nicholson Centre at the Estevan Leisure Centre and disc golf facility at Torgeson Park, as well as free swims at the aquatic centre from September-April.
"We've done quite a bit around the community, and we will continue to do so," Brodeur said.
"[But] we always need new members. Our volunteer base is getting pretty small."
Anyone interested in joining can reach out to the club through their Facebook page.