Despite rain and cold weather, this year's Mr. T Charity Golf Tournament raised $14,000 in the fight against cancer.
Held on Saturday, May 31, at the 108 Golf Resort, the third annual tournament saw 86 golfers of 96 registered golfers compete for bragging rights and to raise money. Organizers and co-owner of Mr. T Contracting Victoria Feistmantl, Erin Capnerhurst and Crystal McArdle agreed that despite the terrible golfing conditions, spirits remained high.
"It was the worst weather I've ever seen for golf, but everyone was out there. We were handing out Jello shots and there were Jägerbomb stations. Everybody was having a great time, it was a big party on the course even though it was pouring rain," Capnerhurst, who golfed in the event, said. "Next year, we hope to have even more golfers involved."
In the end, only eight teams completed the course, with Capnerhurst noting that one of the Mr. T Contracting teams won the bragging rights.
The event is organized each year in memory of Feistmantl's mother, Sabine Feistmantl, who passed away from breast cancer six years ago. Capnerhurst said he and his wife decided to start organizing the event as a way to give back to the community and local cancer resources.
Feistmantl said that since they first began organizing the tournament it has only grown and received more community support. She noted that they doubled the amount of money they raised compared to last year, when they brought in $6,258. McArdle agreed, noting that the tournament's dinner and silent auction at the 108 Mile Community Centre were well attended.
"Our silent auction grew, and the owner of Farrier on the Fairway donated their earnings from the day to the cause, so that helped out too," Feistmantl remarked.
Capnerhurst noted that 108 Golf Resort manager Lee Hansen, the event's bartender Greg Aiken and the Red Rock Grill also helped out by either giving them discounts or donating money. Sunrise Ford's Scott Muir was also a major sponsor of the event, with Capnerhurst noting Muir is a cancer survivor himself.
"That's why you live in a small town, I guess, everyone bands together to make the event awesome," Capnerhurst remarked.
"It's amazing to see it grow, for sure, and we can't wait for the future," Feistmantl added.
On Tuesday, July 10, Capnerhurst, Feistmantl and McArdle, along with Hansen, presented the money to the South Cariboo Health Foundation and the Courtemanche family, whose son Tyson is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumour. The foundation received $9,000, which will go towards funding the 100 Mile District General Hospital's oncology department, while the Courtemanche family received $5,000 to assist them with travel expenses.
Tyson's father, Jake Courtemanche, was visibly emotional when he accepted the cheque on Tuesday. He remarked that his wife just told him to go to the golf course, and he had no idea they would be receiving so much money.
"We'll be able to see Tyson for the Father's Day weekend. We were kind of wondering how that was going to go because we were low on funds," Courtemanche said. "Even if they can't come back home, we can go down. That's all we've been using the money for, travelling back and forth and paying our rent.
"I'm so grateful for (the support). We got an awesome community and everybody has been donating all around town. I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been donating and helped out."
When Tyson was originally diagnosed in March, a family friend set up a GoFundMe for the family to raise money during their time of need. To date, it has raised $6,185.
Tyson has a germinoma tumour, which is formed when germ cells meant to migrate to the reproductive organs, to become sperm or eggs, get trapped within the brain or nervous system during fetal development. Tyson's cancer was discovered in March of this year after the tumour began to impact his vision.
Since his diagnosis, Courtemanche noted that treatment has gone well, causing the tumour to shrink in size. He did say, however, they have since discovered a spot on his spine they need to target as well.
"We're just kind of waiting on an MRI scan and then he starts his radiation on July 2," Courtemanche said. "These tumours don't usually come back, but the wife did meet another family in the Ronald McDonald house where the kid's tumour did come back. (Cancer) sucks, I don't wish it on anyone."
Feistmantl and Capnerhurst noted that Tyson is the second member of the family to develop this kind of brain tumour and that it was Hansen who suggested they donate some of the money. Capnerhurst said going forward, they plan to always pick a family in need to donate a portion of the proceeds to.
"I had a lump in my throat there for sure, handing over the cheque and seeing the emotion in their eyes. It was pretty special," Capnerhurst said.
When asked how she feels seeing the tournament held in her mother's memory grow in size, Feistmantl said it is incredible and that she knows Sabine is proud of them all.
"We've always tried to help out in the community and it takes a village, it really does. For all of us to be together and be able to help a family, people in need, is amazing. She's very proud," Feistmantl said.
McArdle noted that they're already planning for next year's tournament and plan to host it on June 6, 2026, at the 108 Golf Resort.
"We're looking to make it bigger, better and hopefully the weather is a little bit nicer next year," McArdle remarked.
