Supplied photo from the 2014 Ladies of the Patch Charity Golf Tournament.
After a nearly decade-long hiatus, the Ladies of the Patch group is pleased to once again be hosting its annual charity golf tournament next month, and they need some community support to make sure things run smoothly.
This year’s Ladies of the Patch Charity Golf Tournament, which is being held on Sept. 14 at Rolling Green Fairways, marks the 10th anniversary of the tourney with all proceeds supporting Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services’ (LSAS) Project Little Bear.
“This is our 10th year holding this event and we are working to give LSAS our largest donation ever,” said organizer Michelle Robinson. “This year we are striving to raise $50K for Project Little Bear within LSAS.”
Robinson explained LSAS’ Project Little Bear was chosen to receive funding after the tournament’s organizing committee was told there are roughly 150 children, youth and adults waiting 8-12 months for counselling and intervention services.
“LSAS is working hard with government funding and community support to improve their facility with staffing and renovations so children have a safe place for interviewing and forensic interviews, as well as support when going through traumatic times.”
Roughly one month out, Robinson explained it’s not golfers organizers are looking for, but sponsorship.
“We have 144 golfers registered and a waitlist of 20 or so,” she said. “These ladies are so pumped to have this running again, and of course, we cannot thank our sponsors enough.”
Robinson explained PWM Steel’s Paul Klassen has been sponsoring the tournament since the beginning with a $5,000 donation, which was doubled this year with a generous $10K donation.
“We are also grateful for Rife Resources,” said Robinson. “As a first-time tournament sponsor, they came in huge giving us a donation of $6K; so many other companies have welcomed us back with open arms and open wallets.
“It has been a bit overwhelming to see our community come together to support this event.”
If you or any local business is looking to support this year’s tournament, organizers are still seeking sponsorship for hole sponsors ($1,500 and up, which covers food and beverage sponsors on the course), a silver sponsor ($1,000, which covers closest to the pin, longest drive, longest putt and hole in one), a bronze sponsor ($500) and a green/door prize sponsor for those looking to donate a door prize.
Anyone interested in sponsorship can contact Robinson directly at 780-871-2549.
As for the lengthy hiatus, Robinson explained the Ladies of the Patch is extremely excited about the return to play.
“After nine years of running, the tournament, unfortunately, disappeared in 2014 when the economy took a turn for the worse,” she said. “We felt it wasn’t the right time to be asking companies for money. Then, once the economy looked like it was starting to come around, COVID hit.
“This also hurt our charity as LSAS hoped to get their annual donation from this event.”
The Ladies of the Patch tourney was first held in 2005 and was the brainchild of Lloydminster resident and business owner Debbie Horbach. The idea was for women of the oil sector to have a day of fun, camaraderie and golf while raising money for a local non-profit.
Close to 10 years later, the dedicated committee of 10 women, all representing different companies in the energy sector of Lloyd, continue to do what they can to benefit those when they need it most.
