The Vancouver Island Golf Superintendents Association (VIGSA) puts on a free family skate, but welcomes donations as part of its fundraising activities for MS. The event features local sporting team mascots. Photo from VIGSA-MS Event

By Brian Youell

Superintendents and industry representatives from the Vancouver Island Golf Superintendents Association (VIGSA) get together once a week to play hockey. One day back in 2008, someone suggested the group ‘up their game’ and use the event to raise money for local charity.
Gregor Kowalski, superintendent at Royal Oak Golf Course in Victoria, agreed to spearhead the new charity initiative with proceeds going to help those with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a disease that had touched the lives of some in the community. The public was invited to the hockey game, which featured a silent auction and dinner at Royal Oak. Along with the sale of 50/50 tickets, the event raised $7,000.
Given its success, the group decided they could do even more to raise awareness about MS, so a committee was struck to get the word out and fundraise on an ongoing basis. (The committee is currently chaired by Cordova Bay Golf Course superintendent Dean Piller and Dena Gent of AR Mower Supply in Delta, B.C.).
In the second year, they raised $70,000 and in January 2014, $130,000. To date, approximately $700,000 has been raised for MS.

Read the full article: Superintendents Take on Multiple Sclerosis