Charity Tournament Returns

Friday, 23 May 2014 14:57

The 2nd Annual Mount Elgin Golf Club Charity Tournament benefiting Community Advocates Tillsonburg in association with Special Olympics is set for June 14th.

MT. ELGIN -- Last year's golf tournament at Mt. Elgin benefiting Community Advocates Tillsonburg was such a success, course organizers are bringing it back this year.

The 2nd annual edition goes June 14th and half of all money raised goes back to helping individuals with special needs by assisting them with affordable public transportation.

Mark Trudell is Golf Course Superintendent at Mt. Elgin Golf Course explained to Heart FM why helping out with the tournament is so important for some in the community.

"With no public transit in Tillsonburg and in the surrounding areas and small towns, these individuals don't drive, they have a hard time getting to appointments and they really can't get there without it costing them quite a bit of money, think about even getting to work each day."

Trudell says they're looking for teams to register by June 11th. The tournament fee is $100 per person and will once again feature a foursome scramble format at the Mount Elgin Golf Club, with a 1 p.m. shotgun start Saturday, June 14th.

He says the tournament partnership last year helped raise over $7,000 dollars for individuals with special needs and he's hoping it can raise at least $10,000 this year.

Trudell says last year's inaugural tournament came about after the hiring of Mount Elgin Golf Course employee Matt MacNeil, who's developmentally challenged and being unable to drive, needed to arrange transportation to-and-from the golf course for work.

"When we hired Matty, we decided to run a tournament when we found out his parents were starting a charity with Community Advocates Tillsonburg affiliate with Special Olympics Tillsonburg."

For those interested but not sure about their golf game, Trudell adds you don't have to be a pro to come out and support a good cause.

"If you're a good golfer or if you've never played golf, just come out. It was so much fun last year and for $100 and steak dinner, we also have a number of prizes we'll be drawing for again this year."

Sign-ups for teams are being accepted right up to the week of the tournament.

Those looking to register for the 2nd Annual Mount Elgin Golf Club Charity Tournament for Community Advocates Tillsonburg, can call the Mount Elgin Golf Club at (519) 485-4535.