The third annual Voyageurs Golf Classic raised just shy of $20,000 for the Portage College Athletic Association.

The fundraising event was held on August 21 and drew 92 golfers to the fairways and greens of the Lac La Biche Golf Club. With all expenses, donations and registrations accounted for, the team scramble tournament brought in $19,854.

Players at the fundraiser included Team Menard, (l) taking a collaborative shot at the 15th hole, and Lise Warawa (right) trying for the big money hole-in-one.

The money will go towards funding events and incentives for Portage College student-athletes throughout the school year.

“The support you give goes a long way to keep our athletic programming going,” said Portage College President and CEO Nancy Broadbent, speaking to the golfers prior to the start of the tournament.

A field of 92 golfers listen as Portage College President and CEO Nancy Broadbent (c), PCAA President Lorin Tkachuk (l) and Portage College Manager of Sports and Recreation Jim Knight give opening presentations.

Portage College Athletics Association President Lorin Tkachuk was pleased with the turnout, the money raised, the continuing community support, and the 58 volunteers who helped make the day a success.

“It wouldn’t happen if we didn’t have the volunteers that we do in our community,” he said, encouraging golfers at the tournament to thank the volunteers for their continuing support of community events.

Many of the volunteers this year were once again Portage College student athletes – and most of them are new to the community this year.

Portage College Sports and Recreation Manager Jim Knight said the tournament is a great “first interaction” for them in the community.

Ground Under Repair

Because the scenic lakeside course is in the middle of a multi-million upgrade project that closed the front-9 this summer, teams played two rounds on the back-9, using the second lap as a 150-yard closest-to-the-pin contest. Multiple sponsors for each hole made sure that all golfers had a shot at prizes.

“Even if the construction took away some of the holes, it didn’t take away any of the interest from Portage College supporters,” said Knight. “In fact, support was over-and-above what we expected.”

“We said we’d have 72 golfers as the cut-off … then we went to 80, then more calls, so it was 88, and on the day, we had 92. It’s good to see that interest and support for Portage College athletics and our community.”

Voyageurs players check out the 10th fairway ast he next group of golfers prepares to tee off. The golf day raised almost $20,000 for Portage College student-athletes.

We Are Voyageurs

Portage College Voyageurs sports teams include soccer, futsal, golf, hockey, and curling.

For more details on student-athletes and Portage College teams, visit the Portage College Voyageurs website and social media pages.