The Par 3 Extravaganza raised almost $100,000 this year, with funds going to two local charities.
With 52 teams and more than 200 golfers, the third annual event at Ponoka Golf Club, held on June 9, exceeded their goal to raise funds for Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse Society and Ponoka Victim Services, as well as the golf club.
Golf club vice-president Richard Ursulak said the tournament has grown a lot since starting just three years ago.
READ MORE: Ponoka Golf Club hosts successful Par 3 Extravaganza
“We’ve just grown and grown. I think the first year we started with 48 teams.”
Ursulak is also a director of the Par 3 Extravaganza.
He says the Rising Sun, a mental health service, is important to the small town in Alberta, with a population of about 7,000 people.
“The Rising Sun has a huge presence in our community. We wanted to help that charity because we know that mental health is a big thing in Ponoka,” Ursulak said.
The Ponoka Victim Services, which provides support for all victims of crime and tragedy, has had multiple people in the tournament use those services, according to Ursulak.
“They’re unbelievable. You don’t want to see them (using those services)… So we wanted to help them out too.”
Each year, the event chooses two different charities to help donate back to.
According to Ursulak, this event wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for the help and support of the about 100 volunteers.
“This event is really good for the community. Again, it doesn’t happen without the help and support from everyone that’s part of this. Just overall using the business community, using all the resources, everyone really helps out. I’m happy that we donated to good causes.”
A $5,000 cheque was given to a lucky participant at the event, after he shot a hole-in-one on the 18th hole. This was the second time this has happened. In the first year of the event, another golfer shot a hole-in-one, and won $25,000 to put towards a car.
