For nine years, the annual Bryan Mudryk Golf Classic has helped countless cancer patients battle the odds; and the disease.
So it’s fitting that the attendees of the ninth annual Classic last Saturday had to battle a few odds of their own.
Namely, the poor weather.
Rain poured down from the sky and seldom let up during the day, making the tournament at Skeleton Lake Golf Club an adventure, to say the least. Fairways were covered with puddles and greens were soaked through as cold rain chilled the golfers to the bone.
Yet despite the brutal weather, all the attendees got out on the links and had some fun alongside Mudryk and his celebrity guests.
After all, what’s a little rain compared to what cancer patients must deal with every day?
“It was by far the worst (year) for weather. I give the golfers and volunteers credit for slogging through,” said Mudryk.
“They all seemed to have a good time. They’re all here for the right cause.”
That cause, of course, is to support Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Institute (CCI), where Mudryk himself was treated during his battle with the disease.
Giving back to the Cross, and helping today’s cancer patients, has been a priority for Mudryk, his family and friends ever since he was declared cancer free.
In its first eight years, the event raised close to $500,000 for the CCI, and that mark was easily surpassed this year as the 2011 event raised over $100,000.
The record-setting result was met with elation by event organizer Terry Mudryk.
“It was an incredible ninth year. All of this amazing journey can’t be made without the absolute support of the community and volunteers,” she said.
And there’s no telling how many patients at the CCI will benefit from this year’s event.
Though his days of battling the disease are thankfully far behind him, Mudryk can’t help but look back when he comes home each year for the Classic, and when he hears the brave stories of the cancer patients currently being treated in Edmonton.
“Hearing their stories, it hits home. There are a lot of memories that come back of what I was going through.”
When Mudryk first battled the disease, he was studying in the radio and television program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. That experience has motivated him to hand out scholarships each year at the Classic.
They go to students in post-secondary programs who have cancer, whether in treatment or in remission.
“To be vulnerable at an age when you should be ready to take on the world, it’s tough,” he said.
Though cancer takes a remarkable toll physically, mentally and emotionally, it is also debilitating from a financial point of view.
Add that to the pressures of paying for post-secondary education and Mudryk is glad the Classic has been able to help so many students.
Each year, the Boyle native reaches out to his friends in the sports world. Some provide memorabilia to be auctioned off at the event, while others sign up to take part as special guests.
This year’s crop of celebrities was an impressive one and included Mudryk’s broadcasting counterparts Darren Dutchyshen, Kate Beirness and Cathy Gauthier, among others.
Dutchyshen was making his first appearance at the event, but coming to Boyle was oddly familiar for him.
That’s partly because Mudryk had told him so much about his hometown, but also because Dutchyshen himself comes from a very small town; Porcupine Plain, Saskatchewan.
“I really felt at home immediately. It’s very similar and the people are great,” said the long-time TSN anchor.
Dutchyshen had been unable to attend the event in previous years due to his busy schedule, so he was happy to finally be able to take part this time.
“I don’t know anybody who hasn’t been affected by cancer,” he said. “It’s such a good cause, and it really was fun.”
Mudryk’s fellow curling analyst Cathy Gauthier, meanwhile, was taking part in her second Classic.
“I came (last year) to support Bryan, but I had such a good time,” she said.
When Mudryk first conceived of the event, he dreamt that it would one day raise $1 million for the CCI. Nine years later, they’re over half way there.
“I don’t know if I’m surprised, but what gets me every year is that there’s always a new story, a new person coming to the table to help us,” he said.
With the event getting bigger and stronger every year, it looks like those stories will continue to be told in the future. In fact, preparations are already underway for next year’s event, the tenth annual Classic. The date has been set (June 16) and the organizers have grand visions of creating an event that will surpass the first nine.
It will certainly make a difference for the patients at CCI, as it always has.
“It’s really satisfying to raise money for such a worthwhile cause.”
