The first annual George Reed Golf Tournament for Special Olympics Saskatchewan is a complete sellout. The maximum of 144 players translates into 36 teams ready to tackle the prestigious Wascana Golf and Country Club on Monday under sunny skies with temperatures in the high 20s.

 

          Despite having a mere three months to organize the tournament, gather sponsorships and invite players and teams to participate, the tournament committee and Rider legend George Reed were overwhelmed by the surge in support and interest virtually everywhere they went.

 

Exit Realty Fusion co-owner and former Leader-Post columnist Bob Hughes is the Tournament Director and his wife, Loretta, the EcoBroker™ at Exit Realty Fusion, is on the tournament committee.

 

          This will be a charity golf tournament unlike any seen in Regina, and quite likely Saskatchewan. There is a lineup of  celebrity golfers second to none - people like provincial women's curling champion Amber Holland, Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco, Regina Symphony Orchestra's Victor Sawa, George Reed, Roger Aldag, Cleveland Vann, Matt Dominguez, Carm Carteri, all former Riders, Jim Hopson and Steve Mazurak, Olympic gold medal curler Ben Hebert, Regina entertainer Rory Allen, FM92 Morning Gal Lisa Greene, Olympic gold medalists Jan Betker and Marcia Gudreit.

 

          The banquet will also be unlike any golf tournament Regina has ever seen. Renowned guitarist Jack Semple will entertain during dinner, Rory Allen will sing as will a Special Olympian. Three members of the Canadian armed forces from Regina, recently returned from the war in Afghanistan will be on hand and will be honoured. There will draws for prizes. The silent and live auctions are the best that have ever been sewn together at a fund-raiser, offering something for every taste, from a hand-made $5,000 canoe to Rider packages to Olympic packages to a condo in Mexico to an extravagant golf package into the Okanagan.

 

          "We knew this would be a huge challenge when our committee got together for the first time just a few months ago," said Loretta Hughes. "But the caliber of people on our committee was second to none. They are all successful in their own fields. And, they care so much about charities such as Special Olympics. We knew we could do it if we pulled together. And what kept us going, what really inspired us to make this work was our great feeling and admiration for Special Olympics."

 

          Said committee member Murray Westerlund, "There is just something about Special Olympics that tugs at your heart."