South Central ECIP supports children from birth to school age who are experiencing or at risk for developmental delays, including delays in walking, talking, playing, eating, or social interaction.
CORRECTION: Aug. 15 — It was previously misstated in the Moose Jaw Express paper that Western Dodge was donating a new truck for the event, but the correct sponsor is confirmed as Velocity Ford. The story has been updated to reflect this correction.
MOOSE JAW — South Central Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP) is hoping to hit a hole-in-one this fall with its first-ever golf tournament fundraiser.
The inaugural tournament is set for Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Deer Ridge Par 3 golf course. Check-in will begin at 11 a.m., with a shotgun start planned for noon. All proceeds will support ECIP’s early intervention programming for children experiencing developmental delays.
The cost is $400 per four-player team or $100 per individual, which includes green fees, cart, a swag bag, and a catered roast beef supper. Non-golfers can join the evening meal for $30.
Board chair Kelly Thompson said the idea came from a simple suggestion at a board meeting — and quickly gained momentum.
“We decided, as a board, to come up with some ways to fundraise … I suggested a golf tournament,” Thompson said. “Almost overnight … the team said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it,’ and it materialized.”
The event was specifically planned for Sept. 20 to align with the final day of ECIP Week in Saskatchewan, and to catch families after summer holidays and before the back-to-school rush.
“We were hoping that we would get a high number of golfers registered for the tournament (by selecting this date),” he noted.
The tournament is capped at 20 teams of four, or 80 golfers total. At last count, 32 spots were already filled, leaving room for about 12 more teams. Single players or smaller groups are also welcome to register, and will be paired up where openings allow.
“If people want to register and they don’t have a team, we can slot them in with somebody who doesn’t have four players in their group … we’ll do our best to put (all individual golfers) together,” he said.
The tournament will feature performance-based awards, closest to the pin and long putt contests, door prize draws, and a 50/50 raffle. Hole-in-one prizes include $50,000 cash courtesy of Ottawa Real Estate and a new truck courtesy of Velocity Ford. The Real Canadian Superstore is providing water bottles for swag bags, and Sunset Kitchens is donating pens.
Supper will include roast beef, mashed potatoes, and all the fixings, prepared by Carol’s Catering.
“The food was absolutely amazing,” Thompson said as he reflected on previous events catered by the local business. “There was so much (food), and they look after all the dishes and everything.”
South Central ECIP supports children from birth to school age who are experiencing or at risk for developmental delays, including delays in walking, talking, playing, eating, or social interaction. Staff work directly with families through home visits, helping children reach their full potential. Parents are also connected to therapists, educators, and health care professionals as needed.
All proceeds will support ongoing programming and a long-term vehicle replacement fund, enabling staff to continue providing at-home visits across a large rural service area.
“We have a very large service area,” Thompson explained. “We’re not only in Moose Jaw, but (we operate) down south to Assiniboia and the surrounding areas. The ladies are on the road a lot.”
Every dollar raised makes a difference, Thompson added.
“By supporting our golf tournament, people are giving back to our littlest patients who need help the most, setting them up for success when they enter the school system,” he said.
Early registration is encouraged to help organizers co-ordinate golf carts and catering needs. Golfers are asked to sign up by early September to secure their spot. To register, contact Kelly Thompson at 306-690-5774 or by email at [email protected].
