This year’s Bryan Mudryk Golf Classic got off to a great start last weekend as a pair of companion events were blessed with good weather and passionate participants.
The annual Battle of the Paddle on Skeleton Lake saw five teams of ladies dress up in outrageous costumes and enjoy a good-natured race from one end of the lake to the other.
Event organizer Terry Mudryk was thrilled with the outcome of the event, noting that the weather was perfect and the waters were the calmest they’ve ever been.
“I can’t say enough about how well it went,” she said. “Five teams was more than ever, and there would have been more but we had six girls that came down sick. Everyone had so much fun. The girls all just had a blast.”
As has become customary, while the ladies were paddling, there were men cycling all the way from Fort Saskatchewan to Boyle. The United Cycle was completed by a number of brave athletes this year, and there was even an extra course for cyclists over the age of 50.
Event organizer Marty Mudryk is always one of the cyclists to make the trip, and this year was no different. He was joined by a number of fellow riders, including CTV’s Rob Williams, who is also slated to be one of the celebrity guests at the golf tournament on June 16.
“The weather was great, and everyone finished. The wind was in our faces but it was definitely not as bad as previous years. The first year it was like biking into a wall,” recalled Mudryk.
The long trip no longer holds any surprises for Mudryk, but it’s still a challenge after six years.
“I can pretty much do it with my eyes closed, but every year we’ve got new guys coming. Everyone did really well. It was a lot of fun.”
Though the official tally has yet to be made, Terry Mudryk estimated that together the events raised approximately $50,000 for the cause, which is the most ever.
It also puts them in a good position to meet their goal of raising well over $100,000 with this year’s event.
There are still a few companion events to come before the golf tournament. They include A Night With Bryan’s Angels at Lexus of Edmonton on June 7, and Bryan’s Angels Stepping Up to Cancer at the Royal Glenora in Edmonton. Other fundraising initiatives will also be going on before, during and after the event.
As always, the event is in support of Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Institute. This year the goal is to purchase a Linac-MR.
For more on the events, visit the website at www.bryanmudrykgolfclassic.com.
