Golf to help health trust

Put on your game face and get your golf clubs ready for the Summer Olympics Golf Open at Turner Valley Golf Course, all for a good cause.

Sheep River Health Trust and the Foothills Lions Club partnered for the health trust's 13th annual Golf 4 Wellness Tournament on July 14.

Not only is the tournament a fun way to spend a summer afternoon, but also gives individuals the chance to donate to a good cause, said Tanya Thorn, fund development officer for health trust.

Like previous years, fundraising will go into the trust's health and wellness initiatives.

“The Health and Wellness initiatives include what we like to call our five pillars,” said Thorn. “That includes families, children and youth, seniors, medical equipment and community care programs that support other local health initiatives.”

In the past 12 years, over $580,000 has gone back into these initiatives.

Fundraising for this year's tournament is expected to be between $40,000 and $50,000.

Thorn said this is around the same amount as in previous years but they can expect a bit more because of their partnership with the Foothills Lions Club.

“We'll have one tournament this year instead of two and will raise a little higher than the trust fund because we'll be sharing revenue,” she said.

This partnership isn't the only addition. This year's tournament will also feature an Olympic aspect that participants are sure to love.

“Each year we have a different theme and this year's is the Olympics because they will be this summer,” said Thorn. “We'll be really playing up the Olympics side of things. Golfers can dress up as their favorite Olympian and we're looking to see if any local, regional Olympians can attend to meet and maybe get autographs from.”

With the fundraiser's focus being on fun and entertainment, it's one of the region's most anticipated tournaments and is always a big hit with golfers.

Thorn said the fundraiser usually has a full course of 144 golfers and around thirty to forty sponsors and volunteers to help with the auctions, take photos and help the participants with their clubs and carts.

The tournament is expected to be a full course this year as well.

“I encourage people to mark their calendars for July 14 and to come out for a fun game of golf,” Thorn said.

For more information visit www.sheepriverhealthtrust.ca