It was all about kids at the Penticton Golf and Country Club on June 18.
The golf course hosted the 14th annual Rona KidSport and Friends Golf tournament, which raised more than $25,000 thanks to supportive local businesses and 172 participants who hit the links to whack a few balls.
“Once again the KidSport Penticton committee members are sincerely grateful for the tournament organizers, the local business community, the many volunteers, the Penticton Golf and Country Club and of course the golfers who opened up their wallets to help the kids in our community,” said tournament organizing committee member Dave Lieskovsky. “This tournament is a primary source of funding for KidSport Penticton and has become essential to the program as the need for funding has increased each and every year. It truly is an example of how it often takes an entire community to help in raising a child.”
Kevin Flebbe, one of the participnts, played minor hockey, as well as baseball, soccer and was a junior member at Penticton Golf and Country Club. The memories Flebbe had from playing were “fantastic.”
“Memories that will last forever. Growing up with guys you played hockey with and now 10 or 15 years down the road you get to see them again,” he said.
Flebbe said it’s a great thing that KidSport is doing.
“It’s good in the whole growing up factor of being a kid,” he said. “I have got two young kids of my own. Growing up in Penticton too, the charities, you always want to give back to your community.”
Surrounded by friends, Brian Christopherson was asked why it was important for kids to have a chance to play. One of his friends piped up saying, “So they can grow up to be golfers like Brian.”
“It’s a great thing, to learn team sport,” he said. “If you don’t have enough money, that shouldn’t be a barrier to getting out and having fun.”
This year’s event was highlighted by Dave Newsted’s hole-in-one on hole 13. He received a $10,000 prize that was shared with his team members and the charity.
KidSport Penticton has helped kids play soccer, hockey, Tae Kwon Do among others.