Polar Chili Golf Classic raises money for Community Living
Feb 06, 2010 - 02:22 PM
By Jennifer Stone
BOWMANVILLE -- Saturday was a perfect day for golf if you just ignored one thing: the -12C -- -20C when the windchill was factored in -- temperature.
But the extreme cold wasn’t enough to keep 120 intrepid golfers from hitting the makeshift links behind Bowmanville High School for the annual Polar Chili Golf Classic.
The event raises money each year for The Clarington Project, an endeavour of Community Living Oshawa Clarington.
Golfers, bundled in multiple layers of winter gear, played nine Hula Hoop holes, using up to three different clubs and tennis balls, which in years past have come in handy, their bright yellow colour making them more easily found in the snow.
This year, snow was not an issue.
“This is the coldest and the first year without snow” since the event’s inception several years ago, said Cheri Smith of Community Living Oshawa Clarington.
“It was cold,” agreed Clarington Mayor Jim Abernethy, as he warmed up over a bowl of chili inside the school after his morning round. But, the chill in the air made for a “faster game,” he said.
“We weren’t looking for the balls all the time,” noted Gerry Johnston, of the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation.
Golfers hit their tennis balls toward the Hula Hoop holes, the greens marked with spray paint. After the nine holes, they went into Bowmanville High School, where representatives of a number of local restaurants or catering companies waited to serve up homemade chili. Participants voted on their favourite chili, with the winner taking home a trophy.
Chili was made by King’s Court Catering, Zante Restaurant, Maddy’s Pub, A Stone’s Throw pub, and Chantrelle.
The Clarington Project is an adult day program in Bowmanville. The organization supports people with intellectual disabilities. Members are exposed to a variety of activities, recreation, educational and volunteer opportunities. Funds raised go toward day-to-day support, supplies, and materials.
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