Golfers hit the green on Saturday to honour the memory of a local couple who dedicated their lives to the community.
With the sun shining, 120 golfers teed-off at the Bonnyville Golf and Country Club in the seventh annual Kleinmann Cup.
“The event started seven years ago after we lost my mom and dad. I decided to put an event together where we could still give back to the community, because they were all about giving back to the community,” explained organizer Ginette Markham. “A golf tournament was perfect because my dad loved golf, as did my mom, and it was born from there.”
Bob and Gisele Kleinmann passed away tragically in December 2010. The following year, with the help of friends and family, Markham hosted in the inaugural Kleinmann Cup. Since then, the tournament has raised approximately $25,000 for local non-profit organizations and causes.
Each year, a different main donor is chosen. For the 2018 tournament, the funds raised will be going to the Bonnyville Fine Arts Society to assist in the development of a new arts centre. Dollars will also be spread between supporting a mental health conference for students, Santa’s Elves, the Knights of Columbus Christmas Hampers, and Tangled Threads Quilters’ Guild to make blankets for cancer and palliative care patients.
“We always base it on something mom and dad would have supported, something they were involved with. We try to hit all different aspects of the community,” said Markham.
While the day is an opportunity to raise money for groups in Bonnyville that could use a helping hand, for many of the golfers and volunteers, it’s also a chance to reflect on their relationship with the Kleinmann’s.
Set up around the course were various games and activities for participants to partake in, each with a connection to Bob and Gisele.
For Roland and Solange Lajoie, it’s an opportunity to continue a pastime they shared with the Kleinmann’s.
“We were both teaching with Bob and Gisele, they were very good friends. We usually do the card activity because we used to play poker together,” said Solange.
She added, “I think the tournament’s been awesome. Everyone always talks about it and looks forward to contributing to whatever cause is being supported each year.”
Ray Prevost was a close friend of Bob’s, and related to the couple. When Markham first introduced the idea for the tournament seven years ago, he jumped on board.
“The beauty of the program is that every dollar earned stays in the community, it has to be a local charity or non-profit society to get the money,” Prevost said. “We’re pretty proud of it... It’s always been well-received. We have a silent auction and a live auction, and people don’t mind opening their wallets because they know it stays in the community.”
After seven years of being at the helm of the Kleinmann Cup, Markham will be passing on the reins next year. Family friend and Bonnyville resident Janelle Fox is taking over the role of organizer, determined to keep the tournament going strong for years to come.
“Becky, Ginette’s younger sister, and I went to school together, we were really good friends growing up. Bob was also my volleyball coach all through high school, so I got to know him very well and he was a big mentor in my life. It’s not something that I want to see disappear, I want to keep it going in their honour and in their memory,” Fox expressed.
With a focus on fun, the winner of the Kleinmann Cup isn’t always the best golfer, but someone who also does well in the activities. Fox encouraged everyone to sign up for next year, regardless of golfing skills.
Though she may be stepping down from organizing the tournament, Markham is thankful for the continued support from the community and for the opportunity to honour her parents’ legacy.
“They’re smiling down from heaven for sure, it’s pretty spectacular.”
