By Ethan Paquet
Journal Pioneer
Sports fans will have an opportunity to meet some of their favourite celebrities this summer, while also winning prizes at the 15th annual Novus Celebrity Golf Tournament.
Hockey players, wrestlers, NASCAR drivers and more will be at Summerside’s P.E.I. Ocean View Resort and Golf for the tournament on July 15 and 17. The event is hosted by the Boys and Girls Club of Summerside in an effort to raise money for its youth engagement programs.
There will be various prizes for different competitions and vehicles from Summerside Chrysler Dodge to be won.
While the featured celebrities help attract attention to the event, they also interact with the entire community, said Adam Binkley, executive director of the club.
“They come to the club, so they do activities, programs, guest speaking. They mentor our children and youth members.”
One goal this year was to have more current hockey players, as they are easier for the youth to relate to, he said.
“The lineup this year is very exciting. In the past we’ve had a large response from hockey players, mainly retired hockey players, and this year you can see how it’s starting to grow.”
The final lineup hasn’t been announced, but many celebrities have already confirmed their attendance.
The event has been called the No. 1 golf tournament in the Maritimes, and Binkley is hopeful it will be more successful than last year, when it raised $96,000.
“Our goal is to raise $100,000 for youth programs to reduce substance abuse, family violence, bullying and to provide healthy living programs and skills for life.”
Teams of three looking to sign up can buy their ticket through the Summerside Boys and Girls Club. For the $990 ticket, each team will be given a celebrity as a fourth teammate, 18 holes of golf, a steak and lobster dinner following the game and a hockey stick each to be signed by the celebrities.
A celebrity dinner gala will be held on July 16 and tickets are included in the golf tournament ticket price, but can be purchased individually for the early bird price of $50 or $75 as of May 1. The event is sponsored by the Atlantic Superstore and features George Matthews and TSN’s Natasha Staniszewski, as well as a performance from Trinity Bradshaw.
The Boys and Girls club is also holding an auction on its website. Items up for grabs include autographed jerseys, hats, gloves, skates and photos along with other memorabilia. All proceeds will go to the club’s youth programs and the Gerard Gallant technology centre.
Celebrity sightings
Here are the confirmed guests for the 15th annual Novus Celebrity Golf Tournament
- Gerard Gallant
- Noah Dobson
- Forbes Kennedy
- Errol Thompson
- Gerry Cheevers
- Brian Westbrook
- Randy from ‘The Trailer Park Boys’
- Natasha Staniszewski
- Butterbean
- Bryan Trottier
- Mike Bossy
- Kevin Nash
- Michael Waltrip
- Johnny Bucyk
- Pete Mahovlich
- Billy Smith
- Callie Bundy
- Robert Maillet
- Jean Ratelle
- Lisa Longball
