By Deron Hamel

Ian Richardson says the greatest success stemming from the Richardson Charity Golf Tournament since it began in 2006 is the amount of money the event has raised and the fact that the proceeds have helped send many children and youths to Summerfest Camp.

The Richardson Charity Golf Tournament was launched by Richardson and his family in honour of his father who lived with epilepsy. The tournament, which is being held this year on Aug. 29, has raised about $50,000 in its 10 years.

Once again, all proceeds will go towards funding Summerfest Camp, an annual summer program held at Camp Couchiching near Orillia that’s sponsored by Epilepsy Ontario. The camp helps children and youths living with epilepsy enjoy a summer camp experience with appropriate nursing care.

The tournament is also far-reaching, Richardson notes. He has a relative from the U.S. who plays every year as well as two friends from Belgium who fly to Canada to play in the tournament.

“We have a core group that plays almost every year, and then we have some new faces that come,” Richardson says.

Each year the event aims to raise about $5,000 for Summerfest Camp, and Richardson says he’s hoping this year’s event hits the mark again.

“We’re pretty confident we will be at or around that amount again this year,” Richardson says, adding corporate sponsors also make an important contribution to the tournament.

When the first tournament was held, most participants were the Richardsons’ family members and some close friends. With each tournament came more people; at first friends of friends, then expanding to others. Eventually, corporate sponsors came on board.

This year’s Richardson Family Golf Tournament is being held at Wyldewood Golf and Country Club in Hornby, Ont., near Oakville.

The tournament includes a lunch and prizes will be raffled off as well.

The cost of registration is $120 ($65 for Wyldewood members), which covers green fees, golf carts, lunch and prizes. Tee-off is at 1 p.m.

Click here for more information.

If you have feedback on this story, or have a story of your own that you would like to share, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.com. You can also leave a comment below.