Charity golf tournament raises $90k for North Peace Seniors Society

CHARLIE LAKE, B.C. — Golfers from around the region swung their way to raising $90,000 for the North Peace Seniors Housing Society (NPSHS).

The NPSHS is a non-profit society providing independent living spaces for those over 60 years old which has been in Fort St. John since 1966.

The WL Construction Charity Pro Am golf tournament was held in early August at Charlie Lake’s Lake Point Golf and Country Club.

Twenty-three teams placed auction bids on professionals from the Vancouver Golf Tour to join their group and boost their trios to foursomes for the tournament, which was a best-ball format over 18 holes.

This is the inaugural year the pro-am was sponsored by WL Construction, according to its project manager Martin Cullen.

The idea to help came from Carina Wallis, who co-owns WL Construction and serves on the NPSHS’ board.

“We donate locally to different [charities] every year,” said Cullen. “[Carina] went out looking for money for [NPSHS] and this opportunity came up. So, we agreed to be the name sponsor.”

Additional sponsorships came from Peace Country Rentals and Smith Fuel Services, who sponsored hole-in-one contests during the tournament.

Cullen says the money the company collects during the year “is raised in town and helps people in town.”

“Seniors housing is something that needs help,” said Cullen. “I know some older people that are struggling. There are too many seniors that need housing and [there is] not enough housing. [So,] anyway we can help out.”

The $90,000 raised will be going toward roofing at the Peace Lutheran Apartments in Fort St. John on 108th Avenue and various other programs with the NPSHS.

Interim executive director of the NPSHS, Brook Goulet, told Energeticcity.ca NPSHS is appreciative of the donation, saying the society could not “continue to provide housing for our elders without community support.”

The WL Construction Charity Pro Am golf tournament took place from August 7th to 8th at Lake Point Golf and Country Club.