The Second Annual
Emily Morgan Celebration Golf Tournament

{ 2008 Tournament Brochure }

The weather on Saturday, May 17 was rather unpredictable, with swirling clouds, blustery winds, and the threat of showers. As the 1pm tee-off time approached for the Second Annual Emily Morgan Celebration Golf Tournament, not only did the rain fall, but a brief cascade of hail stones created some unexpected tension. However, as it is whenever an event for Emily takes place, the sky brightened and the sun shone just as the carts made their way to the assigned holes on the course. When the shotgun sounded, the warmth of the sun felt like an encouraging hug from Emily.

Laughter and friendly chatter echoed throughout the Kettle Creek Golf and Country Club course all day long. For Emily's family, this sound was as welcome as the busy chirping of the first Spring robins. There were 29 foursomes in all, and an enthusiastic volunteer team of 15 friends and family members. Later, an additional 24 would join the crowd for dinner, making for a full and buzzing clubhouse.

Highlights of Emily's Tournament included Golf Without Limits, an amazing display of technology that allowed golfers to watch the path and length of their drive on a computer screen. For a fee, participants could choose to guess their distance, with the winners (male and female) given 4 free passes to the Golf Without Limits golf simulator. Half of the proceeds were donated to The Emily Morgan Foundation. Along the course, Susan Bradnam, professional photographer (and Emily's Aunt) took vivid and entertaining pictures of all the foursomes. Following the game, local trick golfer Ron Lampman provided a command performance showcasing his incredible and awe-inspiring talents with a golf club. Each participant and volunteer received a specially created keepsake from fashion designer Roger Edwards Sport — black long-sleeved shirts and black recycled cotton tote bags, each featuring the Emily Morgan Celebration Golf Tourney logo.

After the golf game concluded, everyone gathered in the Kettle Creek Club House for camaraderie and a mouth-watering and generously-portioned fresh perch dinner. Emily's uncle, Frank Morgan, returned this year to the podium as the delightful event emcee. Smoothly guiding everyone through the program, he also presented the event trophies to:

1. The Championship Team (best overall score) — remarkably, this foursome won last year and vowed to return to defend their title, and they did! Proudly crowned as Champions of Emily's Tournament for the second year in a row were Mark Bowlby, Scott MacGillivary, Brian Bowman, and Denis Walters.
   
   
2. High Hopes Award (highest score) — this year, the team who had the dubious honour of being rewarded for the highest number of strokes, was presented to: Lynn Osborne (also a busy sponsorship volunteer for the event), Calla Brown, Al Shephard, and Angie Moore.
   
   
3. Mixin' It Up — Best Score (best score for a co-ed team) — a new award was added this year for the team boasting the best score with at least one team member being from the opposite gender. The winning team was: Micah Bradnam, Thomas Bradnam, Jonas Vanderzwan, and Nancy Vanderzwan.

Contributors to Emily's Tournament were plentiful and hugely appreciated. McLay and Company of St. Thomas is a Principal Partner, generously sponsoring the event dinner. A list of over 200 sponsors was posted throughout the clubhouse, giving credit to the fantastic show of support received this year. 95 items and packages comprised the vast Silent Auction, netting over $5,000 in proceeds to Emily's Foundation. The eager and devoted sponsorship volunteers responsible for assembling this year's contributions are: Emily's grandmother Gwen Steward, Lynn Osborne, Rhonda Fabian, Frank Morgan, Charlie Morgan, and Ron Biggs.

By 9.30pm, among countless hugs and handshakes, everyone was saying good-bye and "until next year" as they departed after a full and rewarding day of golf, friendship, and celebrating the life of a remarkable and unforgettable girl, Emily Morgan.

Preliminary calculations show that this year's tournament will benefit The Emily Morgan Foundation with $12,000 in proceeds. Emily's Foundation supports families, like the Morgans, who struggle with the daily reality of a sick child and the costs that go along with medical treatments, travel, and accommodations. In addition, each year, The Emily Morgan Courageous Spirit Award is presented to a graduating student from Homedale Senior Elementary School and Wellington Street School. This award honours a student who, in the face of extraordinary difficulties and challenges, inspires others with his or her tenacity and determination, just like Emily did (and still does).

Ian Latta, Grant Gulych, and the folks from the Kettle Creek Golf and Country Club did a phenomenal job once again facilitating Emily's Tournament and have earmarked the Victoria Day weekend as the annual date for this event. The Third Annual Emily Morgan Celebration Golf Tournament will take place Saturday, May 16, 2009. Mark your calendars!

2008 Photos