South Peace Search and Rescue to host fundraising golf tournament

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — Supporters of South Peace Search and Rescue (SPSAR) will hit the greens for the cause next week.

The inaugural 2025 On the Course for a Cause tournament will take place on July 12th. A Facebook post promoting the event promises “a day of fun and friendly competition” for participants.

According to SPSAR president Baird Saunders, the volunteer-based outfit hopes to raise $10,000 at the tournament, which will be used toward training and new equipment.

“The public funding for search and rescue is amazing,” said Saunders. “Unfortunately, the economics of today with inflation, everything’s just getting to be more expensive.

“This fall, we’re looking at purchasing another enclosed trailer to house our boat for flat water that we just purchased.”

The tournament will follow a best-ball format, where each player on a team of four plays their ball and the best score on the hole is counted as the team’s overall score.

Saunders estimates it took 400 hours of volunteer time to fundraise, promote and search for a venue for the tournament.

Saunders says a 50/50 draw, a steak dinner and raffles for prizes will also take place during the event.  

The tournament is currently capped at 18 teams, with eight spots still available with a week to go.

“The community has been amazing in helping make this tournament a success,” said Saunders. “We would like to make this a yearly event.

“It doesn’t matter if you just picked up clubs for the first time, or if you’ve been golfing all your life, this tournament is to be fun. There are some hole-in-one prizes if you get lucky and fortunate. Even if you don’t want to golf, you can still support us and come out for dinner.”

SPSAR was founded as a volunteer organization and its website says members “may be called upon to assist police in searching for lost recreationalists or to help in accessing and transporting injured people if specialized skills or equipment are needed.”

It also supports South Peace region communities during emergencies, such as distributing information during evacuation efforts and other responses.

The On the Course for a Cause tournament will be on Saturday, July 12th, 2025 from 12:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Dawson Creek Golf Course at 2121 Alaska Highway.

Sponsors for the event include Avenge Energy Services, Bannister GM Dawson Creek, Briar Ridge Custom Meats, Browns Socialhouse, Crimson Oilfield Services, Corlane Sporting Goods, the Dawson Creek Veterinary Clinic, Glacier Glass, Hegge Construction, Mountainview Safety, PureChem Services, Sniper Services, Swagelok Canada and Western Financial.

Registration is $500 per four-man team and the dinner-only option is $55. 

To register for the event or dinner, visit the event’s website. For further information about SPSAR, visit the organization’s Facebook page or website.