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Onion final tourney set for July 31

Golf event raises almost $500,000 over past 13 years for hospice, palliative care

The 14th annual Brian Mcguire Memorial Golf Tournament (The Onion) this summer will be the final one.

The host organizing committee met recently and voted unanimously to wind up operations following this year's tourney on July 31 at The Links at Crowbush Cove.

The tourney has raised $498,950 over the previous 13 years, divided between Hospice P.E.I. and provincial palliative care.

“When we had our 10th anniversary event, we set a tentative goal of $500,000 to wrap things up and we fell just short last year,” said Onion chairman Bill Mcguire.

“We decided early last summer to go out on a high note with a tournament and banquet, which hopefully wouldn't be impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.”

There was no banquet or golf in 2020 because of COVID, but the Onion committee still raised $30,000 from supporters and donors in an abbreviated campaign.

Last year, the golf tourney went ahead under an operational plan approved by the Chief Public Health Office while the banquet was cancelled for the second straight year.

The province has dropped almost all Covidrelated restrictions this spring.

“We wanted to go out on a high note with a full tournament and a final banquet to recognize our many supporters over the years,” said Mcguire.

Although the event has always been held on a Saturday in August, Rodd Crowbush Resort is booked with weddings every Saturday because of COVID postponements.

So, the committee moved to a Sunday and chose July 31 as it was the day before the civic holiday on Aug. 1.

“Never in our wildest dreams did we think we'd come anywhere close to half a million dollars. It's a testament to our sponsors, the support of our local communities in the Morell, Mount Stewart and St. Peter's Bay

“We decided early last summer to go out on a high note with a tournament and banquet, which hopefully wouldn’t be impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.” Bill Mcguire The Onion chairman

areas, Island businesses and the golfing community,” said Mcguire, singling out Ryan Garrett at P.E.I.'S Finest Golf, Crowbush golf pro/manager Anne Chouinard and Rodd Crowbush Resort for their support.

The tournament always had a full field of 36 teams and had increased its fundraising totals each year, said Mcguire, so there was certainly a lot of mixed feelings when the committee voted to wrap things up.

“There were some tears, and emotions ran high. But everything runs its course, other events have started up, many businesses are suffering from donor fatigue and it's time to step back.”

Returning team entries are now being accepted with a June 1 deadline looming before the draw sheet opens up to teams on a waiting list.

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2022-05-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

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