WOODSTOCK, P.E.I. — The Boys and Girls Club of Summerside’s Novus Celebrity Golf Tournament is on the move.
The club’s executive director, Adam Binkley, said the 2019 golf tournament will be held at the Mill River Resort from July 14 to 16.
The event’s dinner gala, however, will be staying in Summerside, at the Credit Union Place.
The celebrity golf tournament, where each three-member team is matched with a celebrity, has grown into what Binkley believes is the largest team event golf tournament in Canada.
Mill River Resort owner Don MacDougall welcomes the opportunity to host the major tournament.
“I think it’s that kind of endorsement that takes it from words to reality,” he said.
Ninety teams participated last year and nearly two dozen more were on the waiting list. Binkley is anticipating a similar response this year, noting many teams, including 20 new teams, have already expressed interest.
“It’s starting to come where people are circling our event on the calendar and coming to Prince Edward Island,” Binkley said. “Last year we had every province represented, and 14 states, with either celebrities or participants.”
“We were paid off, in return, when Noah (Dobson) was drafted by the Islanders. On national television, he had two, two and a half minutes and all he did was talk about the Boys and Girls Club of Summerside.”
-Adam Binkley
He’s appreciative of all the celebrities who support the fundraiser, an event that netted $90,000 for the Boys and Girls Club last year. The brand champion is Vegas Golden Knights head coach and Summerside native Gerard (Turk) Gallant.
“We do a very good job of highlighting and showcasing our community talent,” he said. “There’s quite an amazing group of community celebrities, from your Jamie Kennedys and Forbie Kennedys and your Turks and Heathers (Moyse) and others.”
New York Islanders draft pick Noah Dobson joins this year’s group of celebrities. Dobson, Binkley said, was a Boys and Girls Club of Summerside staff member for four summers.
“We were paid off, in return, when Noah was drafted by the Islanders. On national television, he had two, two and a half minutes and all he did was talk about the Boys and Girls Club of Summerside.”
Binkley is excited about the move and with continuing an association with Dallas Desjardins who was recently named Mill River’s new director of golf.
“Obviously, Mill River is seen as one of the most beautiful golf courses on Prince Edward Island, so, obviously that is seen as a definite advantage,” he said, and combining it with all the other attractions at the resort, including the hotel and campground accommodations and other recreational activities on site. They plan to arrange evening activities to entertain teams that stay in the area.
Busing between Summerside and Mill River will also be arranged for participants and event volunteers.
