Nk’Mip General Manager Dave George presents the $5,000 cheque to Oliver Food Bank representative Jim Ouellette following the tournament.
A brand new fundraising tournament at the Nk’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course has padded the pockets of the Oliver Food Bank and left participants eager for next year’s event.
Thanks to proceeds from Swinging Skirts Two-Lady Shootout, held September 11, the food bank is $5,000 richer.
Karen McDonald of Nk’Mip said that such an “awesome donation” was made possible by tournament sponsors, volunteers and the enthusiasm of participants.
The two-lady team event saw 116 ladies hit the links to compete in a day of driving, putting and chipping, including a chipping contest and “pro hit” that together raised more than $3,100.
Overall low gross winners for the day were Donna Tinsley and Shawna Dunkley, while Cathryn Pidduck and Joan Swan were the overall net low winners.
“It was a great tournament. The weather was perfect and everybody had a great time and everybody kept saying they couldn’t wait until next year,” said McDonald.
This was the first year for the new ladies tournament, which evolved out of an older members event called “The Shootout.”
McDonald was especially pleased that the event’s sponsorship meant there was lots of prizes handed out. She also praised the Nk’Mip volunteers for all their help.
“Everybody left here with a prize of some sort. Which is a pretty big accomplishment when you get 120 people here,” she said.
McDonald said tournament organizers knew the food bank had been helping displaced people during the forest fires that rocked the area this summer, and that summer migrant workers also tend to deplete the food bank’s stores, so they wanted to help ensure it remained with a full pantry.
“We thought everybody remembers them in the wintertime at Christmas, but there’s a lot in between now and Christmas. Leading up to Christmas their pockets are pretty empty so we thought we would make sure they’re well stocked,” she said.
Highlights
Head superintendent Ken Bruneski and assistant superintendent Franz Unterberger held a “Chipping Contest” into the pond on Hole #17.
General Manager Dave George and Head Professional Jim Shular held a “Pro Hit” on Hole #5.
The Chipping Contest and Pro Hit holes raised $1,040 and these were matched by Tuccaro Inc. for a total donation of $2,080.
Tuccaro Inc. also sponsored a $10,000 Hole in One on Hole #17.
Fairview Golf Carts sponsored a “new golf cart” Hole in One on Hole #12.
Desert Hills Winery had wine tasting on Hole #1.
Valley First Credit Union sponsored Hole #10 with a Putting Contest.
By Trevor Nichols
