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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, July 26, 2012 · 16 Keys and Tees charity golf tourney Aug. 13 By Catherine O'Hara METROLAND MEDIA WEST One lucky swing is all it takes to win a brand new set of wheels. And golfers will have plenty of opportunities to test their luck at the upcoming Keys and Tees Charity Golf Tournament. The tourney's unique concept provides participants 18 chances at a hole-in-one to win $25,000 towards the purchase of a new vehicle, as well as nab some nifty prizes in the closest to the pin and longest drive specialty holes set up throughout the par 3 course at Carlisle Golf and Country Club on Monday, August 13. The sixth annual event, which kicks off with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m., benefits two area organizations, including Drummond House, a transitional home for women and children in Waterdown, and The Coping Centre, a bereavement group serving nine communities, including Cambridge and Oakville. Since the tournament was established in 2006, roughly $85,000 was raised for the Catherine O'HAra / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER / @halton_photog TEEING OFF: Keys and Tees Charity Golf Tournament chairman Brian Hall, left, is joined by event supporters (left to right) John Catalano of RBC Dominion Securities, Personal Service Coffee's customer service representative, Cole Christopher, and its president, Michael Chapelle. The Oakville-based businesses, Hall's company, Brichem Sales, and Oakville Tire and Service, are sponsoring the tournament's first-ever $100,000 shootout. not-for-profit organizations. And this year, tourney chair Brian Hall expects the event's overall contributions will surpass $100,000. To mark the milestone, Keys and Tees will offer 10 golfers a chance to win $100,000 in the tournament's first-ever shoot out, sponsored by Oakville businesses Personal Service Coffee, RBC Dominion Securities, Brichem Sales, and Oakville Tire and Service. The randomly-selected participants "will have one shot for a hole-in-one for $100,000," said Hall. More great prizes, including golf-related items, appliances and a barbecue, will be up for grabs at the tourney, which will also include a prime rib buffet dinner, raffles and a silent auction. When Hall agreed to organize the golf tournament six years ago, he was committed to offering participants something different ­ an event unlike "the cookie cutter charity golf tournaments." The tournament's design, originally executed in Thunder Bay to boost that community's hospital, was adopted and immediately received the support of area automotive dealerships. "The dealerships have been on board since day one," said Hall, adding, "They saw this as being unique and wanting to be part of it." Dealers participating in this year's installment of Keys and Tees include Discovery Ford Sales, Burlington Hyundai, The Leggat Auto Group and Mercedes-Benz Burlington. The funds raised at the tournament, noted Hall, have a tremendous impact on the organizations' continued operations. "It really does impact the women and children because we are able to continue our work through this incredible charity event. It impacts us a great deal on the bottom line," said Drummond House executive director Debra Tigchelaar. "We value this tournament so much." Keys and Tees also helped bolster the Waterdown transitional home's profile in the Hamilton and Halton communities. The 5th Concession Road East facility has seen increased requests for support from Burlington and Oakville area women. "It has brought a lot of awareness and a lot more referrals," said Tigchelaar. "They are validating our work; it's been really great." The Coping Centre, too, has benefitted greatly from the funds it received from the Keys and Tees Charity Golf Tournament, said co-founder and executive director Roslyn Crichton, of the non-profit charitable organization ­ a support group Hall and his wife, Nancy, know too well after losing their son, Mark, to leukemia in 1996. "The funding is extremely important to us," she said. "It's a phenomenal thing." Since the Centre offers its services to families at no charge, it relies on the generosity of others to continue its operations. By fundraising on behalf of the organization, the Keys and Tees tourney "takes that stress off our shoulders," allowing the Coping Centre to fulfill its mandate and support bereaved families, noted Crichton. In previous years, the tournament has sold out well before the event date. Interested golfers are encouraged to register early. Registration cost, which includes lunch, golf, dinner and swag, is $225 per person. For more information on the tourney, to register or inquire about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.keysandtees.ca or contact Hall at 905-825-8818 or 905-815-7432.