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Charity event raises thousands for local and international Rotary causes

Brydon Ward Memorial Golf Tournament draws money, laughs and memories

It was a charity, memorial, community, Rotary golf fundraiser — a fun event with lots of people, lots of laughs, a few beverages and lots of money raised for charity.

Just the way Brydon Ward would have wanted it. 

"Perfect," is likely the way he would have described it, using one of his favourite words to sum up the recent event that drew more than 140 golfers to the Lac La Biche Golf Club.

The second annual Brydon Ward Memorial fundraiser was organized by the Lac La Biche Rotary Club and drew visitors from around the community, across the region and beyond. They came to raise funds for charity and to pay tribute to the long-time Alberta Forest Services senior staffer, former Alberta Pacific Forestry manager, former municipal politician and loving family man known for his out-going, boisterous personality. Ward passed away at the age of 74 after a short battle with a serious illness on September 22, 2020 with his family at his side. 

With dozens of family and friends at the memorial golf event on June 25, Brydon's wife Susan said it was wonderful — but bitter-sweet. It was like having a party without the guest of honour.

"There were stories... so many stories and laughs. He would've been in his glory," she said.

Although it was a memorial  — the second golf event since he died — the main goal is to raise funds and awareness for charities, Susan said — another thing her husband loved to do.

Brydon was one of the charter members of the Lac La Biche Rotary Club and the Lac La Biche Regional Health Foundation, he was involved with the local chamber of commerce, the organization of Lac La Biche's Forest Capital designation in the 1990s, and numerous charities and events that highlighted the community and nature.

The proceeds from the golf tournament — said to be about $15,000 this year — will be split between several local and international causes, with 20 per cent going to a Ukrainian relief project, 30 per cent going towards the Rotary Club Internationals ongoing battle to eradicate polio and the remaining 50 per cent going towards local projects.

"Brydon was really, really comitted to the Rotary and he believed so strongly in it. He would've been so pleased with what we did," Susan said.

The tournament was a team Texas scramble with fun prizes and giveaways. Susan said the event was less about great scores and great shots and about great fundraising in a great community.

"The highlight of the day ws how much fun everyone had. It was never about the top scores, it was to raise money for the Rotary and to have fun," she said. 

More to come

There are early plans to host the event again next year, perhaps moving it back a few weeks. The next Lac La Biche Rotary Club event will be the annual Wine Tasting Night that will take place in October.

Looking back on the day, the people, the laughs, and the results, Susan said her husband would have been happy. Coining another one of his often-heard phrases, she offered, "'I'm blessed,' I think he would have said." 

 

 


Rob McKinley

About the Author: Rob McKinley

Rob has been in the media, marketing and promotion business for 30 years, working in the public sector, as well as media outlets in major metropolitan markets, smaller rural communities and Indigenous-focused settings.
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