Rotarians Harold Cox (left) and Roger Clinton were busy cooking lobsters at the Rotary Club of Osoyoos’ Lobster on the Beach last September. Tickets are almost sold out for this year’s event, set for Saturday, Sept. 12 at Gyro Park. Tickets are also on sale for the McLean Construction Charity Golf Tournament that takes place the same day. Organizers of both events have worked together to ensure both will be a success. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Two popular community fundraisers are taking place on the same day next weekend in Osoyoos, so organizers from both events have decided to work together to ensure both are a big success.
The third annual McLean Construction Charity Golf Tournament is set to take place at the Osoyoos Golf Club on Saturday, Sept. 12.
Later that evening, the third annual Osoyoos Rotary Lobster on the Beach fundraising event will take place in Gyro Park.
Kirsten McLean, who is helping organize the charity golf event, contacted Karen Somerset, organizer of the Lobster on the Beach event, and came up with a plan to ensure both events will be successful.
“There are quite a few people who want to play in the golf fundraiser, but then would like to head down to the Lobster on the Beach event, so we decided that anyone doing both will get a reduced rate to play in our golf event,” said McLean. “We figured this was the best way to work things out and I’m confident it will work out well for both events.”
Business partners Len McLean, Kirsten’s husband, and Herb Wycherley helped organize and run the first two charity golf tournaments, but Wycherley retired several months ago and Len and Kirsten wanted to continue the tradition and hope to continue running the tournament for many years to come.
The tournament has helped raise more than $20,000 in its first two years, including more than $11,000 last year for various community organizations in and around Osoyoos.
Proceeds from this year’s tournament will go towards assisting minor sports organizations in the South Okanagan, including the South Okanagan Minor Hockey Association, Dance Oasis in Osoyoos and construction of a new BMX track in Penticton.
McLean is hoping up to 120 golfers will participate in this year’s golf charity event.
“We’re well on our way with more than half of the spots filled up,” she said.
The cost is $110 and includes 18 holes of golf, cart, taxes and lunch. There will be, as mentioned, a reduced rate for those who won’t be able to stay for dinner.
Anyone wanting to sign up for the charity golf tournament, can contact Kirsten McLean at [email protected].
Only a handful of tickets remain for the Lobster on the Beach fundraiser with less than 20 tickets still available as of last Friday.
“We have no doubt we’ll have a full house of roughly 275 people this year,” said Somerset. “We have less than 20 left and anyone who really wants to attend should get their tickets as quickly as possible.”
Once again, the Lobster on the Beach event will be held under a huge tent in Gyro Park.
The event has become so popular that people from outside the region want to be involved, said Somerset.
“We have people coming in from Vancouver, Penticton, Kelowna, Peachland and a few other places as well,” she said. “This community is always looking for events that attract people during the shoulder tourist season and we’re proud that our event is able to bring so many people to town after the prime tourist season is over.”
All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting programs and organizations assisted by the Osoyoos Rotary Club, she said.
After dinner, there will be a disc jockey on hand and dancing will continue into the early morning hours.
Mark Madryga from Global Television Vancouver will act as the Master of Ceremonies.
Dan Adams, owner of Joey’s Restaurant in Penticton will once again be cooking all the lobsters shipped in from Prince Edward Island, while a large crew of volunteers from the Osoyoos Rotary Club will help prepare side dishes.
Tickets can be purchased from any Osoyoos Rotary Club member.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
