Strokes Fore Hopes to surpass the $500,000 mark

May 27, 2010

After 24 hours of grueling golf Edward Goodfellow and Andrew Fazackerley raised $330,000 for the Eastern Ontario Cancer Clinic at KGH in 2009 bring their 2 year total to $500,000

Andrew Fazackerley and Edward Goodfellow are remembering what it’s like to play 24 consecutive hours of cart-free golf – and they admit that with two years’ experience under their belts they know exactly what to expect. What keeps them coming back year after year is not the inclement weather, the chilly early morning rain or the blazing noon-day sun. Nor is it the dehydration, the blisters and intense fatigue. For both men, what keeps them coming back to Rivendell Golf Club to raise funds for the Eastern Ontario Cancer Clinic in Kingston is their fierce dedication to the cause and their love for the sport. What both remember most is the emotional high of accomplishing a difficult task, fighting for a local cause, and perhaps most importantly, receiving the ongoing support of community members, friends and family with every swing they make.

The two golfers will once again be taking over Rivendell Golf Club in Verona on June 24 and 25 for their third annual Strokes Fore Hopes. In the event’s two-year history, Edward and Andrew have raised $50,000, which through a government initiative program that matched their donations 9 to 1, has been multiplied into half a million dollars for the cause - no small feat for two young golfers, who in the process have gained national recognition and landed themselves on the front cover of Flagstick golf magazine.

While the government will be offering the same 9:1 initiative this year, the gentlemen fear that it might be the last year the offer stands. As a result they have been brainstorming new ideas for this year’s event, hoping to make it their best year ever.

New this year will be “Pledge to Play” forms, where supporters collect a minimum of $150 in pledges and earn a chance to play three holes alongside the gents. The size of the pledge will determine first pick of play times.

Also new this year is an invitation to local businesses to provide corporate sponsorship from $250 up to $5,000. Permission has been given by the Kingston Hospital Foundation to allow gold and platinum sponsors to defer their payments until September 1, 2010.

Corus Entertainment will again be broadcasting live from Rivendell on 104.3 and 96.3 FM and will be offering additional television coverage in the form of regular public service announcements. Last year’s radio coverage attracted the generosity of one anonymous sponsor who donated $11,000 - which through the government initiative became $110,000.

Also returning this year is the silent auction and prizes will include green fee passes to Woodensticks Gold Club in Uxbridge; a weekend excursion to Mont. Tremblant, QC; wood carvings by local artist Bob Ruttan; and a signed Toronto Soccer Club jersey, to name just a few.

PIN HIGH will be sponsoring the golfers again this year and will also be selling “Strokes fore Hopes" golf shirts.

Student volunteers from Prince Charles Public School in Verona will be participating in the event through “Golf in Schools”, a program aimed at increasing student awareness of the sport.

The $10 pre-tee-off breakfast will be available again this year and last year's 175 breakfast diners alone raised $17,500, which shows that every little bit goes a very long way.

Edward’s mother Cathy Goodfellow is one of the organizers of the event and stresses the fact that all of the funds raised will go far in supporting members of the local community - people from Kingston all the way north to Plevna who may presently or in the future require treatment at the centre. Last year alone the centre cared for close to 35,000 patients who received regular care, chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

This year’s motto for the event is “Strength Courage, Faith and Hope" and with just over three weeks to go till tee off both golfers have been thinking hard about that motto as they prepare for the event.

Edward said, “The memories from past years remain so strong. We never forget the feeling we get when so many people from the community come out to support us.” Andrew spoke of the opportunity he and Edward had to tour the cancer clinic and explained, “It really opened my eyes and has allowed my passion for the event to grow year after year. With the event looming you remember the physical pain but also how it made us feel emotionally - which is what makes me want this year to be our biggest and best year ever.”

For more information visit strokesforeshopes.ca. Anyone wanting to donate to the silent auction can contact Cathy Goodfellow at 613-375-6651