This year’s Dr. Kindree Memorial Golf Tournament takes place September 18th with all proceeds going to the Squamish Hospice society for palliative care beds.
Players of all levels can buy spots in the tournament at different tiers, bronze through gold, to play at the Squamish Valley Golf Club.
“We have prizes for the most honest players, so whoever has the worst score,” jokes Tamsyn Jenkins, event organizer. The prizes are for a variety of feats ranging from shortest drive, longest drive, to two hole-in-ones. So far, 144 players are participating.
There’s something for everyone at the tournament, which is the signature fundraising event of the Squamish Hospital Foundation. This year, One Ocean Expeditions is providing sponsorship and donating two spots on their eight-day Canada’s East Coast Golf Expedition Cruise to be the prize for the live auction. There is also a silent auction for tickets to the Blackcomb Helicopter Ball Drop and a 50/50 draw.
The Dr. Kindree Memorial tournament has raised $750,000 over the past years, which has gone to funding healthcare equipment, state of the art technology, capital projects and education in the Sea to Sky Corridor.
“Besides $5,000 a year, the volunteer [hospice] program is entirely dependant on fundraising and community support,” said Dr. Judith Fothergill, of the Squamish Hospice Society.
The total cost of the palliative beds, destined for a facility near Squamish Hospital, comes to $2 million with the majority of the costs to be raised by community programs and fundraisers.
The province has provided $400,000 toward the capital costs and Vancouver Coastal health has agreed to fund the operational costs.
The initiative was launched Jan. 3, starting a two-year campaign of donations and fundraisers like the golf tournament.
When asked if it would be possible for the hospice program to survive without the fundraising efforts, Fothergill replied decisively. “No, it would be impossible to survive without the community support,” she said.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. The event organizers can be contacted at [email protected].
