Eva Duguid winds up to send this marshmallow to the moon during the 4th annual McLean Construction Charity Golf Tournament on August 27 at the Osoyoos Golf Club. The marshmallow didn’t make it, but it was a good attempt. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
The most fun you’ll ever have at golf is when there’s no pressure to make the shot.
That was the case at Osoyoos Golf Club last Saturday during the 4th annual McLean Construction Charity Golf Tournament.
In fact, participants were even hitting marshmallows from the tee; that’s how fun it was.
“We don’t necessarily want good golfers,” said Len McLean, who organized the event with his wife Kirsten.
There were good players, but the emphasis for the 102 golfers was a no-stress afternoon of laughs and camaraderie.
“From the comments we heard, everyone had an absolutely amazing time,” Len said.
Each winning player received a screwdriver (not the drink), he pointed out.
The big winners, of course, were the two charities – the Osoyoos Food Bank and Desert Valley Hospice Society. Both will benefit from the event that raised approximately $10,000.
Kirsten said the tournament has traditionally supported local youth programs, but this year they wanted to diversify.
“We have a great group of individuals and businesses who join us, and I am always heartwarmed by their support,” she noted.
She pointed out the tournament is all about coming together for a good cause, and for McLean Construction, it’s important for the family-based business to give something back to the community.
Kirsten said the tournament normally attracts about 85 people, but this year approximately 100 people signed up.
Jeff Duguid from White Kennedy in Osoyoos was golfing with his wife Eva and friends Dean Vincent and Shelly Kelly.
“I always try to support the McLeans and their charity tournament … because it’s fun. Any calibre of golfer can enjoy themselves,” Jeff said.
Ingrid Jarrett, general manager of Watermark Beach Resort, had fun trying to hit the marshmallow. But the highlight for her was the “ball toss” competition from the golf club’s balcony. The prize was $100 in cash, which was won by Dean Vincent.
Jarrett said the tournament connected a lot of people in the community.
“I get to play instead of work,” she pointed out.
Realtor Rudy Tomazic from Watermark loved the social, no-work atmosphere of the tournament, and the fact there was no competition.
He said it was great to see people from outside of the community support Osoyoos charities. “We touch a lot of people (here).”
Pat Wycherley, a director of Desert Valley Hospice Society, was “overwhelmed” with the turnout on Saturday.
“My heart is in this,” she said, noting that her family and the McLeans founded the tournament four years ago.
“It’s always important to keep it in the community; there are so many charities in need,” Wycherley said.
She pointed out the society will use the funding for a new program called the Supportive Care Day Program, where individuals coping with terminal illness come together once a week in a supportive environment. This interaction will provide tools for managing stress and quality of life, as well as provide emotional and grief support to patients and their family members.
Lois Harrison from the Osoyoos Food Bank said they are so appreciative of the generous support from individuals and businesses.
Harrison noted the food bank is servicing more than 100 families this year, an increase from last year.
LYONEL DOHERTY
Special to the Times
The 4th annual McLean Construction Charity Golf Tournament at the Osoyoos Golf Club last Saturday was all about having fun, not making par. Shown here is the Hachey/Hanson team exchanging high-fives after a good hole. From left are Sandra Hachey, Lesley Hanson, Wayne Hachey, and Chris Hanson. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
