Ready to roll

CHEO Bear was at the 2019 “Swing for the Kids” golf tournament held on July 13 at the Nationview Golf Course near South Mountain. He is shown here, admiring a specially designed car located near the entrance to the golf course. Thompson Goddard photo

SOUTH MOUNTAIN – As the noon start for the 9th annual “Swing for the Kids” golf tournament grew closer, the line of golf carts at Nationview Golf Course near South Mountain grew longer.

The 2019 tournament was held on July 13 and promised golfers an opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities while raising money for the Oncology Department at CHEO. A participant flyer described that the event included a golf ball drop, special activities on selected holes, a Chinese auction and several other fun activities.

Organized by Sheila Durant who manages the family owned golf course, event volunteer and sponsor Candy Latulippe from River Rat Treasurers in Iroquois, explained the event is very dear to Durant’s heart and began in 2010 when she realized there was need to assist children and their families who required the services of the CHEO Oncology Department.

She went on to say that the event has raised $155,000 to date and praised the support received from both local businesses and CHEO. ScotiaBank in South Mountain had three volunteers at the event which will result in a donation of up to $3,000 to the event according to Latulippe.

Near the entrance to the golf course, a specially detailed car designed and created by Harm VanDerweide, Keith Dingwall and Karen Perry for charity events such as the golf tournament, was on display. Decals supporting CHEO, suicide awareness and homeless veterans are affixed to the vehicle. The vehicle was a focal point and provided a backdrop for photos with the CHEO Bear who attended the event.

Latulippe and Durant both expressed their thanks for the great sponsorship from local businesses as well as for the volunteers, and of course the participants who all contributed to this successful event.