MOOSE JAW — Sunshine, song, and a strong show of community support came together at The Ridge Golf Course recently, as Inclusion Moose Jaw hosted its second annual “Golf for a Purpose” charity tournament.
The event raised $12,300 after expenses — a significant leap from last year’s $8,000 total — with proceeds going toward local programs for children and adults with intellectual and cognitive disabilities.
“It’s just our second year (hosting the tournament), so we’re still learning, but we had a really good fundraising team,” said Kim Churko, past president of the Inclusion Moose Jaw board. The full Inclusion Moose Jaw volunteer pool included Churko, Roger Blager and Debbie Cowan on the fundraising team, Bernie Gaucher, a board member, and Laurie Bender, executive director of Inclusion Moose Jaw.
Fifty-one golfers took part in the tournament this year, up from 44 in 2024. Each golfer walked away with a prize thanks to generous donations from local businesses, including gift cards of at least $25 drawn from a “prize tree” in blind-envelope style.
The afternoon featured a range of entertainment, including live music by Blager and Alethia Stafford, who performed a mix of country and pop songs spanning from the 1970s to today. Charlotte’s Catering provided a hot meal of pierogies and sausage — including gluten-free options — while all activities took place under the pavilion near the clubhouse.
Churko noted that Earl Swalm, manager of The Ridge Golf Course, was “amazing to work with” throughout the tournament.
Adding a playful twist this year was a small event dubbed the “Modern Mattress Marshmallow Challenge,” a novelty contest where golfers took turns driving a giant marshmallow down the fairway. The longest shot earned two pillows courtesy of the local sponsor.
“We didn’t really measure (how far each marshmallow flew),” Churko laughed. “It was pretty far, considering it was going into the wind … One guy said a five iron worked pretty well. So that’s a little tip for people for next year: maybe try the five iron.”
Churko said the tournament also emphasized the importance of representation and visibility. Three self-advocates participated in the event, including two individuals who had never golfed before.
“They just loved it; they had a blast,” she said, noting that the tournament wasn’t a high-stakes competition format among seasoned athletes, but an event meant to foster inclusion. “My son … golfed in it, and he hit the ball about 225 yards on the last hole. So everybody was cheering for him when he did that.”
Funds raised from the event will support programs like the Moxie Club, a summer camp for youth on the autism spectrum, and help purchase sensory tools for those with heightened sensory needs.
“It will add to our fall programs and (provide more opportunities) for next summer,” Churko said about the proceeds.
Looking back, Churko said the tournament’s impact goes beyond programming and reflected Inclusion Moose Jaw’s core values.
“We just really believe that all people should be valued, supported and included in the community, and that’s our mission,” she said.
To learn more about Inclusion Moose Jaw and its range of programming, visit “Inclusion Moose Jaw” on Facebook, email [email protected], or call 306-692-6943.
