Golf for Kids Sake – First Annual Golf Tournament & Dinner Auction Report
by Pam Richard, Executive Director
Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Cowichan Valley

Wow, what a great day we had. On Friday August 17,  67 golfers came together on the green vistas of Arbutus Golf And Country Club. Not only did they play golf and have a great time, they then moved on to dinner and a live auction.   This was the First Annual Golf Tournament and Dinner Auction for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cowichan Valley. 

Everyone had a great time golfing. The weather was mostly clear and we only got sprinkled in 5 minute sessions a few times throughout the day.  Overall just over $6000.00 was raised as well as a lot of enthusiasm for the movement. 

After a fantastic buffet dinner Gregg Perry auctioneered off over 35 items like a pro.

We all got a glimpse at the faces of the children we helped with a picture presentation.  Adult Little Brother Bob Bolton spoke and told everyone what it was like to be a Little Brother and how much it had impacted his life.  He is now 29 years old, married and thinking about becoming a Big Brother himself.

This helped us all to remember why we were there.  Children who are matched in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters programs are more likely to finish school, less likely to continue in the cycle of poverty, less likely to become involved with drugs and alcohol, and less likely to use negative aggression in the community at large.

There was a lot of support for our valley’s children.  A-Channel came out and golfed, and did live coverage of the weather and the tournament from the clubhouse balcony. SUN FM staffers golfed, as did Arbutus RV.  Arbutus RV also donated a 4-day rental of 24 foot RV. They displayed it on the lawn and that really ramped up enthusiasm for the auction that night. 

This was the First Annual Golf Tournament for Iverson Forest Management in partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and we know that next year will be twice as fun, and twice as Big.
 
If you would like more information on our Golf Tournament, or how to become a Big Brother, Big Sister, In School Mentor, or Teen Mentor, please call us at
(250) 748-2447 or visit us on the web at www.bbbscowichan.ca