The Regency Flooring Drive “Fore” The Cure tournament, held Aug. 16 at Meadowlands Golf Club raised $22,000 for Canadian Cancer Society and Red Deer Cancer Clinic.
Meadowlands General Manager Joel Johannson explained that last year’s inaugural tournament was a celebration of the first year anniversary of one of the owner’s wives who had survived breast cancer. A majority of the people who attended and raised over $25,000 at that event were from Medicine Hat and other locales outside of Central Alberta.
“We ran it again this year but the intent was to create a more local event. Everybody has been affected by cancer,” he said. “Sylvan Lake people stepped up really well. Regency Flooring came on as the major sponsor, brought two teams and provided arrival gifts.”
It was a hot, beautiful day when 100 golfers teed off. And they were lucky to get off the golf course just before it was inundated by a huge hail storm. “Everybody had a blast,” said Johannson.
The event included live and silent auctions — Troy Gillard of Big 105 was the auctioneer.
Also taking an active role were many volunteers, some from the Cancer Society, others breast cancer survivors. Johannson said they’ll definitely be organizing the tournament again next year.
This was the second major fundraising tournament hosted by club during the season. The Stacy Regier Memorial Tournament raised over $25,000.
There were two categories for golfers. On the competitive side, Bob Bohnet, Jamie Keller, Dean Dereniuk (the club’s golf pro) and Jackie Cross won. The non-competitive side was won by Jay Schmidt, Erin Schmidt, Bryce Beresh and Ian Wilson from Johnston, Morrison, Hunter & Co.
Johannson said the success wouldn’t be possible without all the sponsors and participants whom he thanked profusely.