The numbers are as impressive as the cause.
Since the Flame of Hope Golf Tournament began 23 years ago, more than 3,100 rounds and 54,000 holes of golf have been played by Londoners and golfers throughout Southwestern Ontario. Charity, as they say on the PGA Tour, has been the real winner. When the last penny was counted from this year’s edition at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club, the total payoff for diabetes research, education and advocacy through the Canadian Diabetes Association was a princely sum: exactly $1,013,645.57.
To deem the Flame of Hope tournament a success story hardly does it justice.
But after achieving its $1-million goal before reaching its own self-imposed 25-year time frame this month, the charity tournament’s dedicated fundraising committee has made the conscious decision to end the event. It marks the close of one of the city’s most successful one-day charitable golf platforms.
“After the 20th annual Flame of Hope ended the organizing committee decided to establish a goal of either running the event for 25 years or to reach a cumulative $1,000,000 for Diabetes causes and then shut down the event as it is known,” committee co-chairman Dick Bowman said. “With the 2012 version of the Flame of Hope Golf Classic the $1,000,000 goal was achieved and in fact exceeded by $13,645.57.
“All fundraisers run their course. We decided to go out on a high. At this time there are no plans to continue the event as it has been run in the last 23 years but there might be some discussion of doing something different. We’ll talk about that at our year-end meeting.”
Diabetes has reached near crisis proportions. Nearly 300 million people worldwide have the disease with about seven million developing it each year. Projections place diabetes hitting more than 400 million by 2030. In Canada more than 3.6 million are afflicted, with more being diagnosed every day. Diabetes has not only placed increased economic pressure on the country’s health care system but is adding a mounting burden to Canadian families affected either directly or indirectly by its existence.
It’s why the Flame of Hope event was founded by a group of dedicated individuals in 1989. The group used the game and the generosity of golfers, local businesses and corporations throughout London as a vehicle toward finding a cure. Bowman’s co-chairman Chuck Kloetstra shares in the physical and emotional realities of diabetes. He and his wife Barb’s son became a type 1 diabetic over a one week period in November 1984. Since then David Kloetstra has been living life through insulin — one needle at a time.
“We had no idea at that time where the journey would take us — we didn’t even know there was a journey,” Kloetstra said philosophically. “After 28 years and looking back we have seen a glimpse of the journey. We are overwhelmed by the advances in care, yet disappointed that a cure has not yet been found. We are tremendously thankful for the researchers and the technology that has been initiated. Since November 2011 our son Dave has used 1,200 fewer needles to deliver the insulin into his body and at the same time through these advancements reduced the highs and lows of blood sugars — because of the research and technology.
What the future journey brings we don’t know. What our committee can express is the thankfulness for everyone who has helped the Flame of Hope golf tournament reach its $1-million goal.”
One of the people instrumental in the event’s success and a staunch advocate of its cause was the late Bob McWha. Co-founder of the Flame of Hope, McWha set the bar high for the event, including those wishing to be involved in the raising of funds. Sadly, he lost his life to another killer — cancer — but the committee continued to honour his memory. The Bob McWha Memorial Award has been given to recognize people who volunteer and give of their time to support the cause and find a cure. The final winner of the award was announced at the evening’s dinner: Sunningdale’s director of golf Patty Howard.
“Bob’s commitment to the cause, his passion for raising support and his own active support led this tournament through its initial years and set the standard that exemplifies the award in his name,” Kloetstra said. “Based on her many years of dedication and support we could not have a more worthy recipient of the Bob McWha Memorial Award than Patty Howard.”
London is renowned for being the ‘Birthplace of insulin.’ Through the years the Forest City community has been a leader in the battle against diabetes and those involved with the Flame of Hope tournament have no doubt their work will be continued through other programs and initiatives. Kloetstra, Bowman and the committee were quick to express their appreciation to the tournament’s adopted home of London.
“I cannot express the gratitude for the 23 years of community support — large companies, small businesses, individuals, participants and volunteers — who contributed to the success of the Flame of Hope in reaching the $1,000,000 mark,” Bowman said.
Flame burns brightly to the end
Terrill Samuel won the 2012 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Amateur at Belvedere Golf Club in Charlottetown, PEI. After several wins in her home province of Ontario it was Samuel’s first national championship. The veteran Etobicoke golfer finished the tournament at the home club of LPGA Tour player Lori Kane at two-over-par 224. Samuel earns a spot in the USGA Women’s Amateur in Hershey, Pa., next month. Two local golfers had exceptional performances. Sue Postian of London finished tied for 11th after rounds of 77-79-79. Marg Matthews of Drumbo closed out the championship 14th after she posted rounds of 75-78-85 . . . Britt Pronk won the London Hunt Club men’s championship, firing rounds of 71-73-76. Tim McCullough and Ian Jeffreys tied for second. Bruce Barran took the A Flight with identical rounds of 79-79. Fred Steciuk was the B Flight winner after rounds of 82-83. Doug Hamilton and Craig Clarke share C Flight honours after posting 179 for the two-round event. D Flight champion was Paul Siskind, who closed in 87-90 . . . CN Miracle Match, which got its start at the London Hunt Club during the 2006 CN Canadian Women’s Open, continues to be one of the LPGA Tour’s most successful charitable platforms. During last week’s event at Vancouver Golf Club, $1.8 million was donated to the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation, bringing Miracle Match’s total in excess of $8.2 million for children’s health causes in Canada . . . Local golf fans might not have to wait very long to see a potential clash between new CN Canadian Women’s Open champion Lydia Ko and Canadian junior sensation Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls. With the LPGA Tour well in the future, expect the talented teens to be in the field at the 2014 Canadian Women’s Amateur at Craigowan in Woodstock . . . The country’s first Patriot Golf Day is set for this Labour Day weekend. Based on the U.S. model, the initiative honours our nation’s military personnel and their families . . . A few spots remain for the 21st Oxford Amateur tournament Sept. 15-16 at Ingersoll Golf Club and Craigowan. Former Ontario Amateur champion Drew Symons will be seeking his fifth straight and seventh overall title. Former Canadian Mid-Am champion Dave Bunker is also in the starting field. Information is available at www.oxfordamateur.com or call Scott Walker at 519-485-2676.
Burgess goes Shorter
Tyson Tour junior champion J.C. Burgess is settling into the next step of his academic and golf career. The talented Londoner has made his way to Rome, Ga.’s Shorter University, currently an NAIA school transitioning to the NCAA Division II’s Gulf South Conference. Burgess will major in history.
Before his departure, the overall Tyson Tour champion penned some kind words for the tour committee and convenor Andy Shaw of Dorchester Golf Club.
“The Tyson Tour has given me the chance to play many upscale golf courses with different style layouts,” Burgess wrote. “It also allowed me to make many friends and compete at a high level. The Tyson Tour has been a large influence on my golf game and instrumental in me getting a scholarship.”
The Saunders secondary school graduate enters his freshman year at Shorter brimming with confidence. Burgess posted four wins and two runner-ups during the summer junior tour. Despite not being able to play the final three events of the season because of his commitment to Shorter, his overall point total meant he could not be caught. His final win was at Forest City National before leaving for Shorter. A member of West Haven Golf Club, Burgess is a pupil of Brad Dean, a three-time winner of Michigan PGA golf coach of the year.
Greater London Mini-Tour
Graham Hegler’s victory at Otter Creek has bumped the River Road professional up to the top spot in the Greater London Mini-Tour series. Hegler fired a 75 on the tough Dick Kirkpatrick design in Otterville last week to narrowly beat Dave Schweyer of Tarandowah by a shot. Four pros tied for third at 77: Brian Hadley of Thames Valley, Curt Gammage (unattached), Ty Vanthuyne of Forest City National and Ingersoll’s Brian Brouilette.
After five events in the regional series Hegler leads with 194.5 points. John Schmidt is in hot pursuit with 191.0. Schweyer (187.5), Jason Wyatt (185.5) and Rob Vincent (180.5) round out the tour’s top five. The next event is at Oakwood Inn on Sept 10.
