Golf has a longstanding tradition of giving back to society. With over 50,000 charity tournaments held throughout Canada each year, local courses are a big generator of goodwill in the communities they operate. At Mad River Golf Club, community engagement and responding to the needs of the community are important aspects of its operations.
Mad River’s charity of choice? The Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Foundation.
“The Mad River Golf Club recognizes that it has a responsibility to support this essential [healthcare] service and our members take great pride in their involvement in its betterment to serve local and surrounding communities,” says Sandy Higgins, Marketing and Membership Director, Mad River Golf Club.
Many club members volunteer their time or expertise to the hospital, so it is a natural fit.
Mad River Golf Club is one of the top-ranked golf clubs in the country and the highest-ranked course in the Georgian Triangle. SCOREGolf rated it 48 th in their 2018 rankings. The country-setting course located in Creemore, Ontario is host to the annual G&M [General & Marine] Golf Classic tournament. This year’s charity event was sponsored by C.C. Tatham & Associates Engineering who generously contributed $55,000 to the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Foundation.
The G&M Golf Classic is a big draw each year, says Higgins.
“This charitable event offers a great opportunity for golf enthusiasts to contribute to improving local healthcare, and in this instance, the opportunity to experience and enjoy a world-class private golf course.”
“The G&M event has been popular for 27 years, often has a waiting list and it sold out this year, again. It’s a big win for the community.”
Mad River Golf Club’s charitable arm reaches beyond the G&M Golf Classic.
The ladies’ division of the Mad River Golf Club hosts a Charity Golf Tournament in support of Gilda’s Club of Simcoe Muskoka. Organized by club members Hilarie Woods and Lauree Patrick, it raised almost $12,000 this past fall. Gilda’s Club offers innovative programs of support, education and social activities, free of charge, to all people impacted by cancer whether through diagnosis or as a family member or friend.
The recent 3 rd Annual Golf for Parkinson’s at Mad River Tournament raised over $50,000. Organized by Dr. Bill Crysdale, Brad Charlton, Doug Quanbury and Bill Patrick, this cause was selected because it hit close to home within the club’s membership. Money raised was used to support research to find a cure or better management options for those with Parkinson’s disease.
“When you see someone who has been so active and enjoying the game of golf and someone who has brought generations of their family into the game only to be struck with this terrible disease, it really becomes very personal to us,” says Higgins.
Further information on the Mad River Golf Club, design, membership, events or history can be found here.