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Pro-Am golf tournament helps junior golfers with post-secondary costs

By Michaela Ludwig
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(Metro Creative Connection)

By Michaela Ludwig

Golfing on a beautiful course, great company and helping the future generation achieve their dreams – what could be better?

The 16th annual Pro-Am Golf Tournament at the Gull Lake Golf Course will take place July 15 and 16, 2022, with the money raised going towards a scholarship fund for junior golfers at the Gull Lake course.

Participants in the junior golf program at Gull Lake can apply for the scholarship if they meet the criteria.

“The scholarship offers them cash for their post-secondary education,” explained George Smith, chairman for the Junior Golf Foundation of Gull Lake. Smith states that the post-secondary education doesn’t have to be related to golf.

“We’ve had teachers, a graphic designer, lawyer, airline mechanic, fashion design – we’ve only actually had one scholarship recipient pursue a golf career.”

Due to COVID, there was no tournament in 2020, and the 2021 tournament was pushed back to September. But the tournament is back on track now and ready for golfers.

The silent auction opens on Tuesday, July 12. On Friday, July 15, junior golfers will head out onto the course with a pro golfer in their group. There will also be a dinner, live auction and a pro skins game on Friday.

On Saturday, there will be a breakfast for the shoot out competitors and then the nine-hold shoot out starts at 9 a.m. and then lunch and a Texas scramble competition, followed by prizes and a wind-up dinner.

There are several professional golfers who will be attending this year’s tournament including Chad Feener, Paul Devenport, Chris Melbourne, Scott Anderson, Laura Witvoet, Sandra Palmer and Gordy Scutt.

“It’s a fun day, and you’ll make new friends,” said Smith, when asked why people should sign up to play in the tournament. “At the end of the day, this benefits kids in the future. If we can help them go to school and cover some costs, we will.”

To date, the foundation has handed out about $80,000, which equals about 60 scholarships.

The entry fee for adult golfers is $300, $200 for seniors and $125 for junior golfers.

Visit juniorgolffoundationofgulllake.ca for more information.