More than $150,000 is heading to community organizations across the West Shore thanks to the success of the Westshore Charity Golf Tournament.

The tournament was held Thursday (June 29) at the Bear Mountain Golf and Tennis Resort and celebrated several milestones. Not only was it the 27th edition of the annual fundraiser, but it was also the first under its new branding, having formerly been named the MayorB次元官网网址檚 Charity Golf Tournament.

The shift in branding comes as long-time organizer Stew Young has retired from Langford City Hall, and as the event has grown to support organizations from across the West Shore, and not just in Langford.

B次元官网网址淎fter 26 years of doing it, IB次元官网网址檝e seen the need, and people have been phoning me saying we still need to do the tournament. So IB次元官网网址檓 retired now, and I donB次元官网网址檛 mind putting my time towards this with the great support I have from the volunteers,B次元官网网址� said Young. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really important to raise money and keep the charities doing the good work they are doing in our communities.B次元官网网址�

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Young said there were some reservations within the organizing group about how much of a turnout there would be this year, but in the end, the tournament easily sold out and had a waiting list heading into Thursday, and the tournament could take place at two courses next year.

While 19 community organizations will benefit from the fundraiser, the lionB次元官网网址檚 share of the funds will go toward the Ukraine Project, which works with multiple organizations to support communities and organizations in Ukraine struggling under RussiaB次元官网网址檚 illegal and unprovoked invasion.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 about the community supporting Ukraine, not just individuals or specific groups,B次元官网网址� said project coordinator Bob Beckett. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 critical to have that support because whether itB次元官网网址檚 donations of medical equipment, or cash we are receiving from the golf fundraiser, we are able to procure the goods our Ukrainian partners are asking for.B次元官网网址�

The project is currently gearing up for its third trip to Ukraine this fall to support a number of humanitarian projects in partnership with Ukraine Medicine in Action, WUNDERfund, Hope Foundation and the Victoria Hand Project.

B次元官网网址淲e are going to be going to four communities in western Ukraine, and one of my roles is going to be to try and develop sister-city agreements with Langford and Colwood, and perhaps a couple of other municipalities in Greater Victoria,B次元官网网址� said Bruce Brown, a retired West Shore RCMP officer and volunteer with the project.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not just about the money and goods, which obviously they need lots of, but itB次元官网网址檚 about the whole idea of providing hope and support to those communities from communities like theirs, just halfway around the world.B次元官网网址�

While the tournament may have come and passed, donations to support the Ukraine Project can still be made. Cheques can be made out to the Westshore Charity Golf Tournament and dropped off at 936 Loch Glen Pl., or the Langford Fire Hall.

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