Junior golfer on winning team

Junior golfer on winning team at 11th South Huron Trail Fundraiser Golf Tournament 

Increased number of teams helps charity golf tourney raise more funds for pedestrian bridge project

The South Huron Trail Fundraiser Golf Tournament invited junior golfers to take part for the first time in 2016. A junior golfer was a member of the winning team at the charity golf tourney held at Ironwood Golf Club near Exeter on Monday, August 29, 2016. Karstin Stuckless, age 10, was a member of the winning team along with Al Beattie; Heather Beattie; and Gladys Rock.

This year’s golf tournament supported the community project to create a new pedestrian bridge along the MacNaughton-Morrison Section of the South Huron Trail. Fifteen teams took part in the tournament – an increase from the previous year – and the charity event raised $4,300 in net proceeds for the pedestrian bridge project. (That is also an increase from last year’s total). The community golf tournament has raised more than $48,000 over the past 11 years for the South Huron Trail.

Putting contest winner at the tourney was Rob Reid. The longest drive in women’s golf at the tourney was Lee Anne Nymeyer and the longest drive for the men was Rob Dionne. Closest to the pin for women was Virginia Warwick and closest to the pin for the men was Al Beattie. 

Event sponsors were: H&R Block; John Godbolt; Pfaff Electric Limited; Bud Walker; Raymond James Ltd. – Skillen Investment Management; McDonald’s Restaurant; Ironwood Golf Club; and Tamarack Ridge Golf Club. 

The local community has raised close to $75,000 towards the estimated $175,000 cost of the pedestrian bridge project. A new pedestrian bridge would be located west of Morrison Line and link the north and south sides of the South Huron Trail so people would not have to walk along the roadway over Morrison Dam. The speed limit along Morrison Line has been reduced and trail crossing signs have been installed on that roadway but the creation of a pedestrian bridge would give an alternative to people using the trail. The proposed bridge would be the same style as Stirling Bridge between Exeter and Morrison Line. The new structure would include a steel bridge with boardwalks at both ends. It would be suitable for pedestrians, cyclists, strollers, wheelchairs, and the South Huron Trail Mobile (for people with limited mobility). A new pedestrian bridge could enhance use of the trail for decades, according to supporters of the project.

This was the second year the charity golf tournament has been held in August. The golf tournament is organized by volunteers with the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation. The conservation foundation was incorporated in 1974 as a registered, charitable, non-profit organization that promotes accessible trails and other conservation projects in Ausable Bayfield watersheds. 

“The pedestrian bridge is an important project and I very much appreciate the support the public showed through the golf tournament fundraiser,” said Bob Radtke, Chairman of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation. He said the continuing success of the tournament is because of the golfers, donors, sponsors, golf course, volunteers, media, and other supporters.

For more information visit: southhurontrail.com.             

PHOTO: The winning team at the 11th South Huron Trail Fundraiser Golf Tournament on August 29, 2016 was (from left to right in photo) Al Beattie; Heather Beattie; Karstin Stuckless; and Gladys Rock. The charity golf event saw an increase in net proceeds raised and the number of teams taking part. More than $4,300 was raised for a community project to add a new pedestrian bridge to the MacNaughton-Morrison Section of the South Huron Trail so people have an alternative to walking beside vehicle traffic along Morrison Line. The community golf tournament has raised more than $48,000 over 11 years for the South Huron Trail.