Skating Club lands gaming grant
The Glengarry Figure Skating Club received help from the government from the Community Gaming Grant Program. Penticton MLA Dan Ashton handed the club a cheque for $22,225 to head coach Trevor Buttenham and member skaters. The money will go towards ice rental and programs to keep registration down.
“It is great help for our club,” said club president Michelle Tuckwood. “We pay aproximately $60,000 in ice fees each year throughout the entire fall,winter, spring and summer programs.”
The biggest chunk, $40,0000, comes from the fall/winter. Tuckwood said the gaming money helps keep their program costs down in the winter when they have the most competition with city programs, hockey, swimming and dance.
Openings in Tees Up for Cancer
The 18th annual Tees Up for Cancer ladies golf tournament has space for teams. The event, which has a pajama party theme, will be at the Penticton Golf and Country Club on Aug. 15-16 and is a fundraiser for the South Okanagan Medical Foundation. This year’s cause is new Isoflex mattresses that help prevent and treat skin ulcers caused by bed rest as cancer patients recover. Entrants do not have to be a member of a golf club to participate. Tournament chair Peggy Guest said they will do what they can to help single entrants get placed onto teams to enjoy the scramble format. Helping teams on the course, specifically the 14th hole, is Penticton’s A.J. Eathorne, a former Ladies Professional Golf Association player, who will hit drives for teams for a fee of $20, which also goes towards the cause.
“It’s a long-standing tradition, lots of fun,” said Eathorne, who continues to support the event because it’s her former club and the people supported her career. “I get to see everyone and hang out. It’s a great cause and the money stays local.”
Nerves never hit Eathorne as she tees up for the ladies.
“In their eyes, every shot is a great shot,” she said. “I will hit until they are happy.”
The deadline to register is Aug. 13 and those who want to play can contact Guest at rpguest@telus.net. Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities may contact Diane Banera at dianebanera@shaw.ca. The cost to enter is $160 for non-members and $115 for members, which includes dinner, lunch and prizes. To date, the golf tournament has raised $455,000.
Challenge homestay program
Valley First Challenge Penticton (VFCP) has started a home-stay program for professional athletes. The homestay program is available to international as well as Canadian pro athletes in VFCP. Triathlon athletes visit from all over the world and some prefer to stay with a family. The program allows athletes to visit the city when they normally may not due to accommodation cost or availability. It will also allow the host family to learn about another city or country’s culture. Homestays are offered out of generosity by local homeowners, who would enjoy the experience of hosting an athlete (with spouse or trainer). Only bedroom facilities, access to a bathroom and a kitchen is required. Homestay hosts are not obligated to prepare meals or offer transportation assistance. However, they may do so if they wish. Homestay stays range from one to seven nights during the dates of the VFCP race dates to include Aug. 24. Once an athlete that fits a residences’ requirements is found, and compatibility is established, contact information is shared. Athlete and residence can then set up the details required to make this a great experience. To house an athlete, a questionnaire needs to be filled out. Contact Kelly Hopkins at kellyhopkins@challengepenticton.com or call 250-276-2163 to get a questionnaire.
Lawson’s four-some takes four-man waltz
Bill Lawson’s team with Tony Murray, John Vaccaro and Terry Benoit won with a score of 115 at the Penticton Golf and Country Club. Finishing a close second was Charlie Richards, Bob Ogden, Bob Eaton and Doug Gale with 117. More than 120 members and guests played.
Vaagen takes Summerland Ladies golf
Vijai Vaagen scored 39 to win the Summerland Golf and Country Ladies Club low gross/low net competition on Aug 5. In second was Helen Pybus with 34 points. The second flight finished in a tie between Ruth Daviduk and Pat Stohl with 39 points and the third flight saw a three-way tie with Norma Chambers, Julie Macaulay and Anka Manders with 34 points. On July 29, Linda Brussee won the first flight scoring 91, while Wendy Archer was the second flight winner scoring 100. Daviduk took the third flight with 103.
