Golf tournament helps youth centre, MS society
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Blue skies and sunshine welcomed golfers from around the region for the 15th Annual Tillsonburg Lioness Golf Tournment on Saturday.
The fundraising event hosted 102 participants and 26 teams and took place at the Bridges at Tillsonburg.
“It’s a great fundraiser for the community,” said Magda Donck, former organizer and long-time participant in the tournament. “We donate every year to a different charity or organization.”
Funds raised this year will go to the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society and the Upper Deck Youth Centre in Tillsonburg.
“We’re very grateful that they considered us,” said Buck Buchner director for the Upper Deck Youth Centre. “They decided to sponsor us - it does take money to keep the youth centre open and support these young people here.
“It’s very much appreciated. We need the generosity of others to keep going,” he added.
This year’s golf tournament began at 1 p.m. and featured a barbecue lunch to kick the event off, and included a live auction, silent auction and a raffle draw as well as various individual and team competitions such as best ball, mystery hole, longest drive, hole in one, closest to the pin hole and a poker/betting hole. The day finished around 5 p.m. with a buffet dinner.
Money raised for the centre during the tournament, goes towards several activities for the kids during the summer and throughout the year.
“It makes it possible for us to go on camping trips – on Monday we’re doing a short camping trip to Deer Creek Conservation Area near Langton,” said Buchner. “Then in August we’re going up to Wiarton too.”
Buchner was joined Saturday by several youth who attend the Upper Deck Youth Centre in Tillsonburg.
“They (the kids) are helping carry golf bags and just anyplace where they can be a help,” said Buchner.
Two of those youth enjoying the day and contributing to the golf tournament Saturday were Brayden Justus, 14 of Brownsville and Keegan DeSutter, 15 of Tillsonburg.
Both students gave glowing reviews of the much needed youth centre in Tillsonburg.
“It’s where I go to get away from the farm usually,” said Justus. “It’s fun and they do lots of things there - we play games, we go camping and help out at places. Buck takes us everywhere – he loves us kids and does lots of stuff with us.”
In addition, the Upper Deck Youth Centre is a great place to meet new friends – that’s where Justus said he met Keegan DeSutter.
“It’s nice to have all the friendly staff like Barb, Buck and Julie,” said De Sutter. “And it’s just fun to go around and be with other friends and new people.”