Laughter echoed across the course at the Vernon Golf and Country Club Friday as the sun and fun spread smiles for a cause near and dear to many.
The North Okanagan Community Life Society’s 24th annual Charity Golf Classic rounded up 128 players, as well as a host of celebrity caddies, who collectively raised $123,317. Those funds will allow NOCLS to purchase capital items for clients and their individual living arrangements.
People like Joey Penner, who was beaming from ear-to-ear Friday as he enjoyed lunch with the golfers and checked out the action.
“The last couple years we’ve found something for him and it works. It’s wonderful,” said Gary Molitwenik, NOCLS executive director. “It’s a good story, a wonderful story.”
Penner, who is autistic, is just one of the examples of individuals who benefit from the support of NOCLS.
But he is not alone.
Bruce Townsend has been on the NOCLS golf committee for three years, and golfed it even prior to that. But this year the cause is especially close to the heart.
“One of the families we’re working with, the daughter was in an accident and has a brain injury but she was declined funding,” said Townsend. “She was my son’s girlfriend in high school.”
Which is why Townsend not only put together a special date-night package for the silent auction, but he also played in the tourney and his son got his Lower Mainland firm to put a prize in the auction.
“Just by being here helps her, it makes it that much better.”
For others, the cause may not hit home, but it is worthwhile.
“We’re having fun, and it’s a good positive thing for the community,” said Lorraine Dollevoet, whose neighbour got her to take part for her first year.
It’s also why A.J. Eathorne, from Predator Ridge, continues to lend her support to the cause.
Eathorne raised $2,000 by auctioning herself off as a caddy.
“It’s a fun event and this is what I love to do because this is part of my job,” said Eathorne.
Thanks to Eathorne, and all of the caddies, they raised $9,850.
“It actually doubled what I had projected,” said Molitwenik.
Awards were handed out Friday at the banquet and the pink ball package was won by Brock Penner, Nicole Aimes, Andrea Dollinger and Conan Ackert. Longest drive went to Brian Westwell and Lorraine Dollevoet.
Two teams tied at 14 seconds for timed hole — Ian Jensen, Glenn Mitchell, Aaron Jensen and Adrian Wyatt, and Wade Molitwenik, Dean Franks, Gary Gilchrist and John Kehler. The spirit award went to Tom and Mary O’Grady and Lawrence and Dana Brown, while the low gross team with minus 11 was Jeff Homer, Marty Steele, Michael Sherwood and Norman Kreutz. The winning team (low net) at minus 12 was Neil and Mitchell Bradbury and Thomas and Fred Kaiser.
During the live auction, the highest item was $4,750 for Pure Granite Rock while a speaking engagement with Washington Capitals’ coach Barry Trotz went for $2,700.
