Fourth Annual Lakers Alumni Golf Tournament Returns To Support Peterborough Grassroots Lacrosse Programs

Over 90 golfers got their clubs out at the Keystone Links Golf & Country Club for the fourth annual Peterborough Lakers Alumni golf tournament held on Friday.

Johnny “Shooter” Davis taking the ceremonial tee-off before the event began. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The tournament was sidelined last year but returned this year, seeing more golfers than ever.

“It just shows that the community still likes to get out and have fun together,” said Dean Porter, Alumni president.

The event honoured the 1984 and 2004 Mann Cup Champion Lakers. Several alumni, such as Paul Evans and Johnny ‘Shooter’ Davis, were in attendance and performed the ceremonial tee-off at the first hole.

“Lacrosse brings together a group of guys that were together in 84',” said Porter. “We got a good turnout here; they all came back; most of these guys still see each other and they all come to the alumni box during the games throughout the season.”

All proceeds go towards the Peterborough Lakers Alumni who support the Peterborough area's sustainability and grassroots lacrosse programs.

“Lacrosse is huge in Peterborough,” said Porter.

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120 Golfers Tee-Off at the Fourth-Annual 'Be a Saint" St. Joseph's At Fleming Golf Fundraiser Tournament

The fourth-annual “Be a Saint” St. Joseph's at Fleming fundraiser golf tournament saw a huge increase in golfers with 120 at the Quarry Golf Club on Thursday afternoon.

Sarah Cox, St. Joseph’s at Fleming administrative coordinator puts all her trust in Celebrity golf entertainer and instructor Todd Keirstead’s trick shot. Keirstead was a guest entertainer at the first hole at the Quarry Golf Club. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This year’s event saw a massive uptick in attendance since the third edition yielded 80 participants.

“It's great to see how our fundraiser is growing,” said Sarah Cox, St. Joseph’s administrative coordinator. “It's a great way to bring awareness to the community, we have lots of new golfers out and it's also great to see that we have so many people coming back year after year to support St. Joseph's at Fleming.”

All proceeds go towards upgrading St. Joseph’s infrastructure which needs work since the long-term care home is over 20 years old. It also funds replacing aging equipment and vital programs and services.

Last year’s event raised around $26,000 which is toward the organization's goal of $3.5 million over the next few years.

@ptbo_canada We were here before once… Time for round 2 between editor David Bui and trickshot golfer Todd Keirstead. The fourth-annula “Be a Saint” golf tournament benefitted St. Joseph’s at Fleming care home! #ptbo #ptbocanada #journalism #journalist #peterborough #news #fyp #dailynewsupdate #dailynews #sports #sport #golf ♬ Ready - Official Sound Studio

“We're a little over two-and-a-half million now,” explained Cox. “We're still working towards that goal, still raising money and even outside of the campaign, once we reach that 3.5 million, we're still going to keep fundraising because there's always going to be needs in the home.

After the tournament, a silent auction was held to raise additional funds for the not-for-profit long-term care home.

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Young Ladies Can Try Hitting the Links at Girls Golf Kawartha League Free Event

Young ladies aged seven to 17 can try out their drives, chips and putts as the Girls Golf Kawartha League’s (GGKL) ‘Girls Try Golf Free Event’ being held at the Kawartha Golf & Country Club on May 25.

Sydney (pictued) nailing a hole in one at The Quarry’s third hole of the executive course on Oct. 11, 2021. Photo courtesy of Girls Golf Kawartha League.

This is our second year of the Girls Golf Kawartha League.

“I run it for girls to create a fun, safe, non competitive way for girls to learn and love golf,” said Courtney Carroll of GGKL.

To kick off the season, the newly-formed organization is bringing back the free event and a free league at The Quarry in June.

The league meets every Wednesday night for an hour. There is also a pay-per class with group lessons with Shana Kelly of the Coaching Association of Canada and of Kawartha Golf Club.

“Our goal is to get 100 girls out this summer,” said Carroll.

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Brings Back Fore the Kids Golf Tournament For Sept. 14

The Fore the Kids Golf Tournament is making its return on Sept. 14, at Bellmere Winds Golf Course in Keene, announced by The Rotary Club of Peterborough.

Tournament proceeds are going towards the Five Counties Children’s Centre.

“We're excited to work with Linwood Homes again this year on the Fore the Kids Golf Tournament to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and youth in need within our communities,” said Wayne Harding, tournament Chair and former Rotary president. “Five Counties Children's Centre holds a special place in our hearts and this golf tournament serves as a beacon of hope, uniting individuals and businesses in a spirit of giving and camaraderie.”

All golfers are invited to register for $150 per person with a shotgun start of 1 p.m. The fee includes a round of golf, a cart, lunch and the chance to win hole prizes. Prizes include exclusive golf lessons, lake toys and a chance at driving home in a brand-new car from Jack McGee Chevrolet-Cadillac!

The tournament also features a raffle to win items such as a Plauski Square Stern canoe and paddles. Tickets are $10 apiece or three for $20.

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Family Hosts Memorial Golf Tournament To Honour Their Five-Year-Old Son Passing Away From Golf Cart Accident

UPDATED: 9 p.m. 23-07-23

A tragic golf cart incident that resulted in the life of five-year-old William Gardner has got his family to create a memorial golf tournament to honour him at Bellmere Winds Golf Resort.

(from left to right) Elizabeth, Aurora, William and Matt Gardner. The family had lived overseas for the past 15 years and often came back during the summer season. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gardner.

The William Rock Gardner Golf Memorial tournament in Keene is slated for July 29 and will run from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. with prizes and draws from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The incident occurred a year ago. The Gardner family and their two friends were at the lower half of Bellemere to play sports and at the splash pad. They were travelling in a golf cart going downhill as it started to accelerate with the brakes failing.

After the cart swayed out of control, it flipped and ejected all the passengers onto the roadside according to Elizabeth Gardner, William’s mother. He sustained massive head trauma and was airlifted to SickKids Hospital. The parents and their friends had sustained injuries (with the latter taking the year off to recover) from the incident and were treated at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC). His seven-year-old sister Aurora was unharmed during the accident but had feelings of guilt and shame as the only sibling to survive said Elizabeth.

“Our family at that time knew everything was changing and I laid on the roadside trying to keep him breathing,” she explained.

The family visited William at SickKids and made the difficult decision to let him go due to the severe brain damage he suffered.

“After saying goodbye to William, both my husband and I were admitted to Peterborough Hospital due to our injuries,” explained Elizabeth. “I ended up staying in Peterborough Hospital for over a month recovering and planning my son’s funeral.”

Despite the unfortunate series of events, the family bears no ill will towards anyone and is grateful for the care that they received.

“Sick Kids Hospital and Peterborough Regional Health Centre were extremely supportive during our darkest days,” explained Elizabeth. “These golf tournaments will be in support of both of those institutions.”

The police report determined that the mishap was an accident due to the golf cart’s malfunction according to Elizabeth. Bellemere Winds had offered their golf resort to host the memorial tournament.

“We are still devastated from everything but cannot thank the Bellmere owners enough for pushing for this golf tournament,” said Elizabeth. “We are thankful we can honour William, as memories and events like these keep him alive.”

William was three weeks short of celebrating his fifth birthday upon his passing. He was entering kindergarten that September.

“He was a little boy with a great sense of humour and loved to run around in his bare feet,” said Elizabeth. “William loved all kids and above all loved playing with anybody but especially his sister Aurora.”

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Trent University's 17th Annual President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament Fundraises For Student-Athlete Scholarship

The 17th Trent University President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament saw 76 golfers hit the links at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club on Thursday.

Trent University kinesiology graduate Grace Sanderson making a putt with onlookers cheering her on to help kick off the 17th Annual President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament. Last year’s event took place at the Quarry Golf Club. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The fundraising event is for Trent Excalibur Green and White Scholarship Fund. It is awarded to exceptional first-year student-athletes at Trent University who have an 80 per cent (or above) average The event’s annual goal is to raise at least $50,000 annually. Over $575,000 has been raised through this tournament for the fund.

The day included 18 holes of golf, a barbecue lunch, a golf gift, on-course refreshments, a silent auction and dinner with an awards presentation.

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Third-Annual 'Be a Saint" St. Joseph's At Fleming Golf Fundraiser Tournament In Full Swing

Roughly 80 golfers hit the links at the third-annual "Be a Saint" St. Joseph's at Fleming fundraiser at the Quarry Golf Club on Thursday afternoon.

Celebrity golf entertainer and instructor Todd Keirstead getting the trust of Jennifer Armstrong as he rockets a tee shot off her as one of his many trick shots. Keirstead was a guest entertainer at the 15th hole at the Quarry Golf Club. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

All proceeds go towards St. Joseph’s to upgrade its infrastructure since the long-term care home is roughly 20 years old and needs work according to administrative coordinator Sarah Cox.

Being a building that runs every day of the year, 24/7, there are some capital upgrades we need,” she explained. “Flooring, our HVAC systems, new technology, medical equipment, things like that are what we are trying to raise money for the 200 residents that live at St. Joseph's.”

Cox said last year’s event raised roughly $26,000 and aims to meet if not exceed that goal for the tournament’s third inception. The ultimate goal over the next few years is to raise $3.5 million.

“We're about $1.6 million into that so there's still a few years to go,” said Cox. “We do different fundraisers all year around, Christmas mailings, stuff with the families at St. Joseph's to get them involved. Just different fundraisers to raise money towards that $3.5 million.”

A silent auction was held after the tournament as an additional source to raise funds for the not-for-profit long-term care home.

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Trent University Hosts 16th Annual Golf Tournament To Fundraise Student-Athlete Scholarship

After taking a two-year break, the 16th President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament returned to the Quarry Golf Course on June 30, raising $65,000 for Trent Excalibur Green and White Scholarship Fund on Thursday.

Photo By Luke Best.

The scholarship is awarded to exceptional first-year student-athletes at Trent University. 

“With the support of all our partners, Trent Athletics has been able to develop and grow our high-performance Excalibur varsity program.” said Tariq Al-idrissi, Trent vice president of finance and administration. “We will continue to be able to recruit the best and the brightest to Trent, enhancing the overall varsity student-athlete high-performance experience.”

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Emma Purdie Remembered Ten Years After Her Passing With Golf Tournament

The Emma Purdie Memorial golf tournament will take place at Black Diamond Golf Club on July 7.

Photo courtesy of Barb Purdie.

Ten years after the tragic passing of Emma Purdie at 20 years old, friends and family are gathering at Black Diamond Golf Club to remember her and to raise money for the two scholarships in Purdie’s name.

The EP scholarship is awarded to two students, one at Thomas A. Secondary School (TASS) and the other at Queen’s University.

At TASS the winner of the EP Memorial scholarship must exemplify a love of the arts, a passion for performing, a spirit of bringing people together to achieve a common goal and an ability to support others in realizing their dreams.

At Queens the scholarship recipient will be a member of Dance Pak, a dance team that Purdie was a part of during her studies. The recipient is chosen by the team and represents Emma’s vivacious and outgoing personality.

Those interested in golfing can sign up by emailing bpurdie@xplornet.com.

In addition to golfing there are various prizes to be won.

Prizes include:

A Traeger Pro 780 Peller Grill valued at $1400

Home and Health Package: a day of painting in the winners home with the Friendly Painter Nikolas Cooke, a 50” flatscreen Smart TV (LR Brown Audiovisual) and a photoshoot with Mary Zita Payne Photography valued at $1200

Four Season Package - A round of golf for four with carts at Black Diamond Golf Club, four passes to Brimacombe Ski Resort and one night at Whispering Springs valued at $1300

Two Tickets to a regular season Leaf Game for 2022-23 season and a $200 Keg Gift Card valued at $850

Tickets are 8 for $20 and can be purchased by emailing Barb Purdie at bpurdie@xplornet.com

Please include name, phone number and which prizes you would like your tickets in included in the message.

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Third Annual Lakers Alumni Golf Tournament To Support Peterborough Grassroots Lacrosse Programs

Roughly 70 golfers teed off at the Keystone Links Golf & Country Club for the third annual Peterborough Lakers Alumni golf tournament held on Friday.

Johnny “Shooter” Davis as one of four Lakers alumni that participated in the ceremonial tee-off. Photo by Luke Best.

Professional lacrosse players, former Peterborough Lakers and golfing fans were invited to participate in the open tournament. Past and present players including members of the undefeated 1974 Peterborough PCO lacrosse team were in attednance.

All proceeds go towards the Peterborough Lakers Alumni that support the sustainability and grassroots lacrosse programs in the Peterborough area.

“We feel that if we don't focus on that area, then we're just going to dissolve after so many years so focusing on that, trying to make sure we have new kids coming into the game and trying to make it non-cost prohibitive for families,” said Jamie Batley, Alumni president.

Lakers alumni Doug Evans, Paul Evans, Brian Evans, Bob Wasson and Johnny “Shooter” Davis all took ceremonial tee shots from the first hole prior to the tournament.

The tournament had prizes for lowest score, closest-to-pin shots and longest drives for both the male and female categories.

“We know as being sports people, if you put your kids in sports, they learn teamwork, they learn communication, they learn how to work in a group. Lacrosse is a great sport to learn all those values,” said Batley.

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