BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Imaging golfing on a picturesque course carved out of the forest surrounding Lively. A gentle breeze blowing through the leaves, luscious green grass and the rich sounds of nature filling your ears.
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Now imagine golfing for a good cause and having a chance to win several fantastic prizes.
If this is your idea of golf heaven then get out your clubs because the Golf for a Cure tournament is fast approaching. Proceeds from will go the Canadian Cancer Society.
This is the inaugural Golf for a Cure tournament in Northern Ontario and organizers are guaranteeing a fun and exciting time for all.
Â?We are going to give golfers a day that they will never forget,Â? said Terry Kett, chair of the event. Â?The golfers will get their moneyÂ?s worth.Â?
The tournament is unique in many different ways. First, there is a unique scoring system.
Â?You can actually reduce your score before you ever hit your first ball,Â? said Kett.
With a pledge system set up, golfers are being asked to collect pledges. For every $100 collected the score will be reduced by one stroke. There is no limit for the amount that can be collected.
Golfers have the choice of two courses to compete on. The Lively Golf and Country Club and the Sixth Avenue Golf and Country Club will co-host the event.
Mary Jouppi, co-owner of the Sixth Avenue Golf and Country Club, was more than happy to get involved.
Â?The main reason my husband and I are hosting, is because two of my family members have been touched by cancer,Â? said Jouppi. Â?I feel absolutely fabulous about hosting the event never losing sight of the reason for doing it is for all the people who are fighting the battle against cancer.Â?
The tournament will feature six hole-in-one opportunities and if anyone were to score an ace, they would win some incredible prizes.
Â?Some of the hole in one prizes include a Cadillac, a Honda car, $10,000 in cash, a television entertainment centre and an ATV,Â? said Kett. Â?There are also other cash prizes for the menÂ?s, womenÂ?s and mixed teams.Â?
The tournament will feature a scramble format, staggered tee times, bag drop service and boodle bags. The cost is $125 per person and includes three meals, green fees and cart.
Â?There will be a real gourmet dinner,Â? said Kett. Â?It will not just be steak on a bun - these golfers will be spoiled.Â?
Organizers are hoping to have 18 teams on the Sixth Avenue course and an additional 36 teams at the Lively Club. The real winners of the tournament will be the Canadian Cancer Society.
Â?ItÂ?s a good cause because cancer is a disease that touches almost every Canadian especially in Northeastern Ontario,Â? said Kett.
Golfers taking up the challenge on the Sixth Avenue Golf and Country course will enjoy a scenic executive course.
Â?We have the perfect balance of golf and nature here,Â? said Jouppi.
Kett is hoping the model organizers have used will be picked up by other community groups in the future.
Â?We want to run this well so other people running tournaments in other areas will have something to copy,Â? said Kett. Â?If we can get a bunch of these tournaments running it would be magnificent.Â?
The tournament takes place Friday, June 13. First tee off time is 9 am.
