Golfers hit the links to honour a couple who dedicated their lives to the community.
Just over 100 people took part in the eighth annual Kleinmann Cup held at the Bonnyville Golf and Country Club on Saturday, June 15.
Organizer Janelle Fox said the event was started in memory of Gisele and Bob Kleinmann, who passed away tragically in December 2010.
”They were two people that were very loved and involved in the community. They did a lot of volunteer work, and they were both teachers,” Fox explained.
This was the first year Fox took the reins. Previously, the Kleinmann’s daughter, Ginette Markham, organized the golf tournament in honour of her parents.
”I wanted to continue the charity work that my mom and dad had done, to continue their legacy of community work and fundraising for charities that they would support,” she explained. “Another reason I did it was so my kids, and their other grandkids, knew what they were about and what was important to them.”
Markham believes Fox did a great job running the event, and enjoyed the opportunity to participate alongside her family.
”It’s nice to be on the other side,” she expressed. “I’ve always enjoyed organizing it, but, now that my kids are older, it’s nice to partake in the event with my kids and husband.”
Each year, a different organization is chosen to donate the proceeds to. For 2019, the approximately $24,000 raised will go to the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs. Funds will also be dispersed between Santa’s Elves, the Knights of Columbus Christmas Hampers, and Tangled Threads Quilters’ Guild to make blankets for cancer and palliative care patients.
”We have people apply for the events, but we try to pick things (the Kleinmann’s) would support and would be willing to give back to,” noted Fox.
For Ray Prevost, a close friend of Bob and long-time participant in the Kleinmann Cup, the money remaining in Bonnyville is an important aspect of the event.
”That’s what they would have wanted. They were very involved with the community, whether it was the fire department, golf, or curling... They were both really involved with the community, and everybody knew Bob and Gisele. When the accident happened, the town was numb that day. It’s something that we do to remind us that we lost some good citizens,” he detailed.
Golfing wasn’t the only part of the day keeping people busy. Set up throughout the course were activities that had a special connection to Bob and Gisele, including curling and World War Two trivia.
”The games add or subtract points to your score, so in order to win the Kleinmann Cup, it’s not necessarily the best golf score. You also have to do well in the games (too),” Fox said. “If you do poorly on some of the games, then you risk adding points to your overall score.”
This was the first year Denis Ducharme was able to participate. He was taught by Bob in Grade 8 and continued a friendly relationship with the Kleinmann’s over the years.
”Bob and Gisele were people that really believed a lot in the community. They gave back in different ways, and they were genuinely nice people,” expressed Ducharme.
He added, “It’s great to see that people still have fond memories of them, and are willing to help in the various causes that they can in the community.”
With another successful tournament come to an end, Fox hopes to see the Kleinmann Cup grow in the future.
”I wouldn’t mind getting more kids involved, because it’s less competitive. It’s just really to have a good time.”
