Taking place Sept. 8 at the Gull Lake Golf Course, the Bionic Golf Tournament will be running all in support of the University Hospital Foundation.
“The purpose is promoting donors. We’re trying to encourage people to become donors,” said Raylene Czuy, who is co-chairing the planning committee for the event with her son Tyson.
The event runs in support of organ and tissue donation through the Hope Program, which stands for Human Organ Procurement and Exchange at the University of Alberta Hospital.
Eamon and Carla McCann, owners of Gull Lake Golf course, have been big supporters of the tournament since the start.
The tournament, in its 13th year, was able to be increased in the number of golfers participating. Last year, they had spots for 54 golfers, many of whom will be returning again, while this year, they’ve bumped that number up to 72 golfers.
Raylene originally got involved in the tournament with her husband Daryl, who had a double lung transplant seven years ago.
“He was asked to give a talk while he was sick and on oxygen and waiting for lungs. They asked him to talk about what it’s like to be sick and waiting for a donor,” she said, adding that he also gave an update at a later supper talking about what it was like to receive a transplant and how he was doing.
Unfortunately last year Daryl passed away, so Raylene and her son co-chair the event.
Just last month was Daryl’s seven-year anniversary of getting his lungs.
“He had seven good years after transplants that he wouldn’t have had,” said Raylene.
Last year, $20,000 was raised for the University Hospital, and this year they hope to raise $30,000.
Golfers will be put in teams of four, with two groups per hole. They will play 18 holes, with a break after nine for lunch. They will then receive dinner at the end of the tournament. There will be some great prizes along with a silent auction with a variety of items.
The cost to participate for a single player is $125. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. with the shotgun start at 10 a.m. The awards dinner will take place at 4:00 p.m. and the live auction will begin at 5:30 p.m.
“We’re looking for donations for the silent and live auction,” said Raylene, adding that they also have spots left for golfers, along with sponsors.
Over the years there have been lots of local sponsors and donors from Rimbey, Lacombe, Sylvan Lake and Red Deer. Raylene said they want to encourage new donors to contact them. Sponsorships are also available including being the dinner sponsor, a hole sponsor, presenting/title sponsor and more.
To register for the tournament or to become a sponsor people can visit https://app.eventcaddy.com/events/bionic-golf-tournament/store.
