Albertans are the most avid golfers in the world, so it's no wonder that dozens of community organizations use golf tournaments as a way to raise money each summer. ATB Financial is front and centre when it comes to sponsoring and hosting charity golf events across the province.
Take the Sutter Fund Charity Golf Classic being held July 16th at River Bend Golf Course in Red Deer (see video below). Now in its 15th year, the tournament has raised nearly $2 million for Albertans in need. "We've helped a lot of people," said Brian Sutter, former NHL player and coach who co-hosts the tournament along with his five famous brothers. "We donate money to get minor sports groups started or to families in need from border to border all over Alberta."
The Sutter Fund tournament attracts celebrity athletes ranging from current and former NHL players to figure skater and Red Deer native Jamie Sale. There's also a sports memorabilia auction the night before that's open to the public. "It's a great couple days," offered Brian. "Our silent auction is as good as anybody's anywhere."
ATB's involvement in charity golf events doesn't end there. ATB Investor Services is the title sponsor for the Hockey Alberta Foundation Golf Classic (www.hockeyalberta.ca) July 26-27 at Stewart Creek in Canmore. It's a world-class event at a world-class venue. Money raised at this year's classic, which draws some of hockey's biggest names, will go towards a new grassroots initiative: Hockey Alberta's Every Kid, Every Community program.
"We need to raise some funds longer term to help grassroots hockey grow in the province, targeting those kids who do not play the game at all," said Hockey Alberta's Scott Robinson. "We certainly have a large contingent who play the game in Alberta, but there are lots and lots of kids on the sidelines. We're trying to reduce barriers and get more kids involved in the game."
On August 16th, ATB presents the 18th annual Kids Kottage Golf Classic at the Edmonton Country Club. Kids Kottage (www.kidskottage.org) is Edmonton's only 24-hour crisis nursery, caring for children up to the age of 10 when their families are in crisis. Money raised from the tournament helps Kids Kottage keep the doors open and its programs running.
"There's an awful lot of specialized work that gets done here," said Pam Miller, development director for Kids Kottage. "We work very hard to keep very skilled staff on board and that can be expensive, but without them, we wouldn't have a proper program."
ATB's 2010 charity golf season wraps up September 14th at Alberta Springs near Sylvan Lake for the ATB STARS Invitational. STARS Air Rescue (www.stars.ca) provides emergency air ambulance service for the critically ill or injured in Alberta and eastern British Columbia. STARS flies over 1,300 missions per year from three bases in Alberta. Funds raised at the tournament will help keep STARS helicopters in the air.
"ATB has probably been one of our very best corporate supporters," said Phil Levson, vice president of the STARS Foundation. "They've done so many different amazing things from head shavings to barbecues, driven mostly by local branches throughout the province. We're excited about ATB hosting another tournament for us."
It's a sentiment shared by all of ATB Financial's community partners. "It's neat when you meet people like the folks at ATB and you find out how community minded they are," said Brian Sutter. "They do a tremendous job. They're front and centre in their sponsorship. They help so many people and they believe in the same things we do."
