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MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM — When the Women Fore Women Golf Tournament started back in 2019, the goal was to raise enough funds that a scholarship could be presented to a graduating Grade 12 athlete heading off to school that fall.
The goal back then was to hopefully see the event grow into something special, and perhaps even one day offer multiple scholarships to their many applicants.
Fast forward five years, and it’s safe to say that goal has been reached and then some.
The tournament has now essentially taken on a life of its own, with golfers eagerly anticipating the event and the field of 100 filling up not long after word officially gets out.
It’s all led to the tournament raising more than $20,000 last year, with five athletes — hockey / fastball player Jasmine Kohl, fastball player Makena Simmons, fastball player Katie Newberry, distance runner Jadyn Palaschuk and soccer player Asia McCulloch — all receiving $3,000 scholarships from the previous year’s event.
Things are quickly coming together for the 2024 tournament, which will take place on Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Hillcrest Golf Club.
We feel really grateful, and it’s so nice that people are asking sometimes in February and March when scholarship applications are coming out,” said tournament organizer Deb Negraiff. “I think everyone understands how important it is and how good it feels to do this. The women love to hear back from the young ladies about how grateful they are for the scholarship, and even hearing back from them when they’re at school and how life-changing it is.”
The organizing committee has received a total of 10 scholarship applications so far, with the deadline set for Sunday, June 9 at midnight. The plan is to present another five $3,000 scholarships this time around, with that ceremony taking place on June 25 at the Hillcrest.
“There are some really good ones, and the kids who are going on and have already signed on with universities is amazing,” Negraiff said. “That wasn’t heard of before, but now they’re going to schools all over the place. We’ve had California, Illinois, Simon Fraser, Lethbridge… so this is amazing that these kids are getting picked up to play fastball or track or hockey or volleyball, it’s incredible and I love it.”
The tournament itself will once again be capped at 100 players, with around 50 spots already taken as of this writing, There’s little question the event will once again max out, in no small part to how much fun the tournament is on top of the fundraising aspect.
“It’s well run, well received and now we just have to cross our fingers for a nice day,” Negraiff said. “The cause is also a part of it. You just have to look at the news to see that young women are still fighting for equality. Our athletes are aware of it, so when this opportunity comes they really appreciate it, and the community feels that way as well."
Then there’s the support of the business community in and around Moose Jaw. The tournament always has a sponsor board on-site listing the many businesses that have helped out, with well over 150 supporters the last couple of years.
“Everybody chips in and we visit as many businesses as we can, and myself personally, I’ve never had an issue because as soon as businesses hear what it’s done, they’re usually eager to get on that bandwagon, which is really nice,” Negraiff said.
The entry fee is $100 for Hillcrest members and $120 for non members, with the fee including golf, a post-tournament meal and tons of prizes.
For more information and to register, contact the Hillcrest Golf Club at (306) 693-1921.
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