The Junior Golf Education Endowment Fund will celebrate its eight anniversary with the 10th Annual Gull Lake Pro-Am golf tournament this month.
The event incorporates world-renowned golf professionals with families in the community for two days, July 17th and 18th, to raise proceeds to support scholarship programs.
Since the endowment fund began, over $50,000 has been given out in scholarships to past and present members of the Junior Golf Foundation of Gull Lake. Scholarships will be presented on the evening of July 17th prior to a live auction.
“It used to just be a pro-am event, but a few years ago we realized that we were missing something – the children! That’s why we decided to create the adult and children games and include them. When we met with the pros, they suggested getting more children involved and it’s just been rolling from then,” said Gull Lake Golf Course owner Eamon McCann.
“There are two things that are really important to us here at the golf course with this event – one is that we’re always so impressed that these golfers come up from all across the United States to do this for our Foundation.
“The other is that it’s wonderful to see the kids come back and apply here for funds for their post-secondary education. That’s a huge part of our little golf course. Carla (his wife) and myself put so much into this because we see the rewards that the children can get after the fact. It’s nice to see some of the children who receive the money come back to us after their post-secondary education and say thank you, and tell us about their degrees or jobs.”
The event will draw professional golfers from across North America including Sandra Palmer (Palm Springs) Stuart Hendley (Midland, Texas), Paul Devenport (Wellington, New Zealand) and Perry Parker (Mission Viejo, California, also a Canadian Tour winner) as well as eight other pros.
Registration is nearly full at $250 for junior golfers and $500 for adults. Call Gull Lake Golf Course for more information.
McCann said he was nearly overwhelmed with the quick registration this year and although it is nearly full, members of the community are welcome to check out the live and silent auction items.
Auction items are still rolling in but include a trip to watch an Edmonton Oilers versus Calgary Flames game in Calgary, complete with hotel amenities. As well, several community members have come forward to donate date night packages, gift baskets and even a piece of art from local artist and past scholarship recipient Kaylee Motley.
The tournament kicks off with a 10 a.m. clinic on July 17th, with events going throughout the day, with the day culminating in an elimination game where 24 golfers slowly become four over a nine-hole game.
“What we’re going to do with one of the activities is auction off pro golfers to play with the amateurs. They’re going to play nine holes of competition, where everyone - 12 pros, 12 amateurs - starts off and is guaranteed four holes. Slowly, people are dropped out until there are only four golfers left at the ninth hole. We hope to get some glowing golf balls and things because we want the kids to get a kick out of it and it will be in the evening,” McCann said.
All net proceeds from the event go to support the Gull Lake Junior Golf Education Endowment Fund.
kmendonsa@lacombeexpress.com