While golf courses are barred from hosting tournaments this summer due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, that didn’t stop the Piper Classic from raising a staggering $32,000 for the Alexander Galt Regional High School athletics department.
The 12th annual golf tournament was set for June 20 at Milby Golf Course but with provincial restrictions on the number of people allowed in a public space, Galt Athletic Director Robbie Fisk was forced to pull the plug.
The classic normally draws in about 150 participants, according to Fisk. It’s a major fundraising opportunity for the school. Thanks to an extensive list of golfers, sponsors and alumni, Fisk was able to garner nearly as many donations as last year.
“Well I have a database of people that have donated for the last 12 years, so I sent a mass email, then personal emails and then one or two phone calls per person; that’s about it,” he said.
The tournament, which started in honour of the late John Haller, a teacher and coach at Alexander Galt, raised nearly $33,000 at the 11th annual event. That makes it two years in a row that Fisk and his fellow organizers eclipsed the $30,000 mark.
It’s a far cry from the first Piper Classic, which raised $4,000 all those years ago. Today, the school is able to help student-athletes, maintain facilities, transportation, uniforms, equipment, and it helps those in financial need.
“When we do come back we’ll be fine, financially we’ll be able to get through, again,” said Fisk.
Jimmy Donnachie, Galt alum and last year’s honourary tournament chairman, explained that the Piper helps keep students on the ice, field, or track, rather than getting into trouble.
“It just goes to show that we have great support, a great community and we’re lucky to have that from some great alumni,” Donnachie said.
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Piper Classic raises $32,000 despite cancelled tournament
By Michael Boriero – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
