On Wednesday, Sept. 4, Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater MLA Jeff Johnson will host his fourth annual Road to Hope Golf Classic at the Athabasca Golf and Country Club, an event that raises funds for the Road to Hope Community Support Foundation.
The non-profit foundation provides transportation for local cancer patients undergoing treatments outside of their community, and founding partner Alberta-Pacific (Al-Pac) Forest Industries organizes the golf tournament.
“It brings hope to the community — to people undergoing cancer treatments now, and for those who have yet to be diagnosed,” Madena Reimer, transportation coordinator for Road to Hope, said of the tournament.
Monique Mosich, public affairs coordinator at Al-Pac and lead tournament organizer, said the tournament usually raises between $7,000 and $9,000; Reimer estimates attendance is usually between 80–100 people. Both women would like to see those figures grow.
The event is largely following its tried and true formula: Johnson brings out a who’s-who of political friends and other luminaries, local golfers join them for 18 holes of Texas scramble golf and prizes, and the golf course hosts an end-of-day BBQ where Johnson, Road to Hope executives and Al-Pac representatives give speeches.
This year’s guests include Minister of Energy Ken Hughes, Associate Minister of Wellness Dave Rodney, journalist John Short and MLA for Edmonton-McClung David Xiao.
However, there will be new tournament features this year, according to Mosich. Every golfer gets to choose a participant gift: a wine basket or coffee basket. Each golfer is also entitled to a new breakfast buffet.
Other perks include a 50-50 draw, toonie prize draws, a spin-to-win game at one of the holes, proximity prizes and a mulligan draw.
The greatest perk of all, according to Reimer, is the fact that all money raised will be used locally rather than being shipped to impersonal headquarters elsewhere.
“The people who are golfing are giving not only to help cancer patients, but it’s in our community that (the money) stays,” she said.
New sponsorship levels have been added this year for a total of seven options that range from $150 to $3,500. Each sponsorship level entitles the donor to a certain number of golf entries and meal tickets, as well as varying degrees advertising throughout the course.
Organizers are still seeking sponsors and golfers for the event. The deadline to register in both capacities is Aug. 29. Anyone who would like to register or donate can phone 780-213-0438 or email monique.mosich@alpac.ca.
