Community Living pleased with golf tournament return

By Ron Giofu

Community Living Essex County (CLEC) was finally able to present the 30th Charity Golf Challenge last week.

After a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fundraising golf tournament was finally able to return last Thursday with 120 golfers hitting the course at Sutton Creek Golf Club in McGregor.

That number was down slightly from the 128 golfers that participated in 2019, but CLEC’s manager of community relations and resource development Tony DeSantis noted there were some participants that were getting caught up on other commitments, such as weddings and family functions, and weren’t able to come to the golf tournament this year.

DeSantis added there were new players who joined in this year, as they heard about the event through other players.

“After a two-year absence, we really didn’t know what to expect,” said DeSantis. “It’s been absolutely positive from every perspective.”

Golfers were giving the tournament good feedback while sponsors stepped up again this year, something he said the agency is grateful for.

The agency hopes to raise at least $15,000 this year, which is down from the $20,000 usually raised, but there was a bit of COVID-19 recovery factored into that, DeSantis explained.

“We’re really pleased with the numbers,” said DeSantis. People were happy to hit the links again, he noted. “They are anxious to support our charity. They missed coming to our event,” said DeSantis. “It’s a fun event.”

There were some golfers that participate every year, he added, including Larry Riley, who participated in his 29th Charity Golf Classic. DeSantis believed that shows a long-term commitment to the tournament and to Community Living Essex County.

DeSantis added there was “a good cross-section” of representation from corporations, municipalities, Community Living Essex County staff and members of the general public taking part, something he said CLEC was “extremely pleased” with. He emphasized they want to give “a huge thanks” to their corporate sponsors and donors who supported the tournament, as well as the golfers themselves.

“It’s a win-win event,” said DeSantis. “It’s a good opportunity for them to support a charity.”

Five of the seven Essex County municipalities were also officially represented and those teams vied for the Municipal Cup, a trophy that was added to the tournament in 2009. The team from the Municipality of Leamington won this year, with Amherstburg, LaSalle, Lakeshore and Kingsville also represented.

Leamington won the 2022 Municipal Cup and here, they are congratulated by CLEC Executive Director Karen Bolger, left. The town represtnatives are Rob Sharon, Mayor Hilda MacDonald, Paul Barnable, CAO Peter Neufeld and Terry Symons.

Ron Giofu photo

Nelson Santos, in one of his final events as Kingsville mayor, was thanked by the agency for being a “friend and an ambassador” for CLEC. Santos has resigned as mayor as he has taken a job as the CAO of the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio, which is near Barrie.

Sutton Creek Golf Club was also thanked for its work in helping to present the tournament, with DeSantis calling it “an awesome venue.”

“They treat us right,” he said. “It’s all about customer service. We’re really pleased.”

DeSantis also thanked the volunteers. He pointed out this year’s Charity Golf Classic was the first time in about ten years that he was able to golf and he told the volunteers he understood the efforts they put in.

“This kind of thing could not happen without them,” said DeSantis.

CLEC executive director Karen Bolger agreed that it was great to be back after two years of being away.

“We are so pleased to be celebrating our 30th Annual Charity Golf Classic! All proceeds from this tournament go directly to our summer support program for children and youth with intellectual disabilities. The funds help families throughout the summer months with supports to allow their children to be involved in summer camps, recreation, and leisure activities while they’re not in school,” she said. “This program is so important to many, many families in Essex County and your support today is making a difference.”

Bolger expressed the agency’s sincere appreciation to all of the golfers “and to our generous sponsors who contributed to the success of our tournament. Thank you.” Bolger also extended thanks to CLEC’s marketing team and community volunteers for their hard work in planning the tournament, as well as Sutton Creek for their hospitality and support.

“As a non-profit, charitable organization which supports over 750 people with an intellectual disability and their families throughout Essex County, we rely on the support of our community,” she added. “The support we receive from our volunteers and people like you is so important and greatly appreciated.”