The Prince George Special Olympics Golf Tournament set a fundraising record on Friday, according to tournament host Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris.
Harris said the 21st annual tournament raised $73,000, topping the previous record of approximately $65,000 raised in 2012. The four-person, Texas scramble style tournament was held at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club.
"It was just the most incredible thing we could imagine," Harris said. "It's all due to the incredible corporate sponsors... who are part of what we call the Special Olympics family."
Harris said the tournament is the largest fundraiser for the Prince George Special Olympics organization, and all the money raised is used to support the athletes, coaches and volunteers who make the Special Olympics happen.
"Every cent raised stays in Prince George," he added. "Over the 21 years we've raised just a few dollars shy of $700,000."
Unlike many golf tournament fundraisers, the Special Olympics Golf Tournament is restricted to 96 players, whose entry fees cover the costs of running the tournament, he said. Corporate sponsors pay for signs displayed during the tournament, and the proceeds from those donations goes to support Special Olympians.
"I never like to single out any particular donor, the corporate sponsors we have are the very best you can find. It's incredible, I get so humbled by the generosity..." Harris said.
