INNISFAIL - It was a cold and blustery day on Sept. 12 but that did not frighten dozens of eager golfers who enthusiastically headed to the Innisfail Golf Club to take in a special not-to-be-missed round.
It was all for a great annual cause, a fun daylong tourney -- the 11th annual Innisfail Minor Hockey Association Golf Tournament -- to support local minor hockey.
Stephen Bates, president of the Innisfail Minor Hockey Association (IMHA), said despite the inclement late summer weather conditions, they were not as bad as it was for last year's tourney.
"It is better than it was last year. We will kind of take it," said Bates. "If it stays like this we'll be happy. It would be colder if it was raining. Trust me. Last year it poured all day. I am sure there were people who went home with hypothermia. It was bad."
He said the tournament, depending on the year, can bring in as much as $13,000, with last year's tourney generating about $10,000. This year tournament entry fees, which included cart and dinner were $175 for each golfer or $650 per team of four.
"It goes straight to minor hockey and to help offset our costs throughout the year, ice costs, you name it -- jerseys, whatever needs to be spent that year," said Bates, whose hockey association provides 300 local youths the opportunity to play hockey.
Bates said this year's shotgun-start tourney attracted just over 100 players, who had a fun competition to claim titles for best and worst teams. When it is all over random prizes were handed out. Silent and live auction items were also available. The tourney ended with a steak dinner.
"It is not a competitive tournament. We just want people to come out, have fun, play a round of golf and support minor hockey," said Bates.
The tournament also attracted David Reid, the son of the late legendary Innisfail minor hockey coach Larry Reid. David was joined by Stan Simpson, Gord Flinn and Vern Fox -- alumni members of the Innisfail Pontiacs, the 1962-63 Central Alberta midget provincial champions.
The quartet were involved in establishing the Larry Reid Memorial Coaching Development Fund, which in partnership with the IMHA and Hockey Alberta, was created to support coaching development in Innisfail minor hockey.
To date, the fund is now at about $30,000, which has far exceeded the group's expectations. It's expected the first fund donation will be awarded this fall.
In the meantime, Bates said the IMHA 2018-19 season officially opened on Sept. 14 with pre-season practices and training.
For more on the IMHA visit the website at www.innisfailminorhockey.com
