CARLYLE - Carter Morrison is a well-known Carlyle resident who has had medical issues since he was born.
Since he was one year old, Carter has required many surgeries during his lifetime and often he and his family were regularly housed at Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon. It was indeed their home away from home.
Carter just celebrated his 18th birthday and, for the past year, his parents, Trevor and Lisa Morrison, have wanted to give something back to Ronald McDonald House in appreciation of their hospitality over the years. They decided on hosting a par-3 golf tournament which was held Sunday at the Carlyle Golf Club.
A total of 108 golfers participated in the 18-hole tournament and there was a waiting list. In addition to the nine closest to the pin and nine long putt prizes, hole in one insurance was purchased for all holes. Up for grabs were two cars, five $10,000 prizes, and 11 $20,000 prizes.
Golfers teed up 12 to a hole and each hole was a par three of between 160 and 180 yards in length. On his 13th hole (hole number seven), Carlyle resident Tim Lequyer addressed his ball.
“We were going directly into a strong west wind, and I used a four hybrid. I didn’t see it go in but apparently the hole spotter, Tim Brady, gave me the slam dunk sign. I thought I had overdriven the green but when we got there my Titleist Pro V1 was in the cup. My first hole-in-one ever,” he said.
Lequyer won $20,000.
Over the years, the Morrisons have spent over 100 nights at Ronald McDonald House. Karen Linsley is the director of development and communications and was in attendance.
“We are so very grateful to the Morrisons for hosting this Home Away from Home Tournament,” she said. “The Morrisons have been amazing ambassadors for Ronald McDonald House Charities Saskatchewan over the many years they have utilized the House in Saskatoon.
“Thank you to everyone who attended the tournament to help support the mission of RMHC-SK. We support families by keeping them close to their loved ones while their child is receiving medical treatment either in Saskatoon or in our family room at Prince Albert Victoria Hospital. We wish Carter all the best as he begins the next chapter of his life in Medicine Hat.”
Individual awards and raffle prizes were handed out after the roast beef and pork roast supper, catered to by Rylan and Cindy Weir.
Host and master of ceremonies Trevor Morrison thanked everyone who attended the event, including the Carlyle Golf Club, Carlyle District Lions Club, the many various sponsors, hole spotters and Steve Polsom and his grounds crew.
“When we decided to put on a tournament, our family had five goals. The first was to thank Ronald McDonald House for being a big part of our lives, the second was to provide the house with much deserved exposure. The third goal was to highlight the excellence of our nine-hole local golf course. The fourth was to have fun. And, finally, my personal goal was to have a player score a hole-in-one. It just doesn’t get any better than that.”
The entire net proceeds from the tournament will be going to Ronald MacDonald House. While the exact amount is still unknown, the donation will be substantial and greatly appreciated.
