There are times we should stop and applaud a team effort. Such was the case as organizers prepared for the recent Texas Scramble Golf Tournament in support of the Terry Fox Foundation taking place at the Brookfield Golf & Country Club in Brookfield.
Contacting Judy Matheson, a longtime Brookfield Terry Fox committee member and very active regarding community events, we received some interesting details. In total, 19 entries (four golfers to a team) were looking forward to the 8 a.m shotgun start Wednesday morning, August 14.
“The Brookfield Terry Fox Committee raises money by way of several projects,” Matheson said. “For the Terry Fox Run, scheduled this year for Sunday, Sept. 15, the golf tournament has been a major fundraiser in the past. The local committee are thrilled to reinstate the tournament this year after a 10-year hiatus.”
Donating a percentage of the entry fee to the Terry Fox Foundation, the committee is careful to respect the wishes of Terry Fox.
“There’s a policy that outlines how events need to be carried out, making sure funds raised are only to benefit the foundation,” said Matheson.”
The Brookfield committee is very pleased with the response being shown this year.
“Former teams who supported this cause previously, they have entered again. We also have a large number of memorial signs on the course which are by donations; these signs are a special tribute to family members, of those now gone. Some signs are placed in honour of friends or family.”
Matheson praised the committee for a great effort in organizing the 2019 golf event.
“It involved considerable work,” she said. “Securing prizes from several businesses, setting up for the dinner was a major chore and coming up with enough workers and volunteers was another big part of it.
“But, the committee is passionate, everyone wants to work to end cancer, almost everyone has been touched by the disease. We all want a cure.”
All money raised from projects such as the golf tournament, a book and bake sale or a fashion show, go to the Brookfield and Area Terry Fox Run, which has been amazingly successful for the past 39 years.
“The local Terry Fox Run is among the top few in the province,” Matheson said. “The effort has raised an average of $30,000 each year since 2000. This is all due to various fundraisers, a great run day, generous supporters and a hard-working, dedicated committee.”
Looking over a list of teams entered, the names of many of the entries definitely grab your imagination. The Prettiest Putters, the CIBC Wood Gundy Team, had Ryan Beazley, Shane Campbell, Alex Stevenson and Candace Yorke. The Family Affair consisted of Cindy and Earle Bigelow, B. Whittle and P. VanWeston.
Swinging For A Cure included Doug Bernard, Chris Bernard, Rachel de Vries and John Clark. The Duffers And Dreamers had Dr. Frank Slipp, Audrey Slipp, Ed Bailey and Marilyn Bailey.
“We are delightful to once again support cancer research by participating in the Brookfield golf tournament,” Marilyn said. “This was a yearly event we always looked forward to, besides the great golf, there’s fun activities and a great dinner provided.”
Stu’s Stars had Rylan Sutherland, Isaac Fahey, Camden Weatherbee and Jack Sullivan. Babe Ruth’s Long Ballers, from Townsview Estates, were noticeably strong with Danny Dean, Kathy Dean, Bill Boyle and Della Boyle. The Brilliant Birdies boasted Bill Cole, Jimmy Nelson, Bruce Marshall and Paul Drake.
Jackie Burnett was the captain of Back In The Day Elks. Jackie’s husband Gordie Burnett, Terry Henderson and Herman Murphy rounded out the team.
“I’m really looking forward to playing with these senior Brookfield Elks,” a smiling Jackie said. “Terry, Hermie, Gordie and I, we all grew up together. Now, here we are nearly 100 years later, supporting the Brookfield Terry Fox golf tournament.
“Gordie, Terry and Hermie played ball and hockey for Brookfield Elks back when they were teenagers. Here they are, now in their 80s, out here together on the golf course and all for a good cause.”
Jackie served for 20 years on the local Terry Fox committee, Gordie was in charge of pledges and funds received for many years.
“I’m really looking forward to the golf tournament,” Murphy, of Fredericton, said. “We’ll have a lot of fun, I’ll try hard to keep up with Terry and Gordie.”
Lyle Carter’s sports column appears weekly in the Truro News. If you have a story idea, contact him at 902 673-2857.
