BY GEORGE MARATOS
On July 4, 48 female golfers will hit the links at Meadow Lakes Golf Resort to take part in the inaugural Women’s Floral Classic.
Presented by Mic Mac Toyota, the best ball format golf tournament is just the latest fundraiser for Special Olympics Yukon.
“We always aim to raise awareness about Special Olympics and our programs and reach new demographics,” explains Special Olympics Yukon executive director Serge Michaud.
“We wanted to do something different so we thought what if we did a women’s only tournament. We shopped the idea around and the overall reply was to go for broke and it seems to have worked.”
Michaud says the idea for the female-only tournament has actually been talked about for two or three years before coming to fruition this summer.
He then pleasantly confirms over the phone that the first-time tournament roster is completely full.
“Being the first year we wanted to start small,” said Michaud. “We’re going to have 12 foursomes and next year we hope to bump that up to 16.”
A unique aspect of the women’s only golf tourney is that the prizes are all flower-based, whether it is plants, hanging baskets or some kind of floral arrangement.
“Every year the community is so supportive of Special Olympics and our co-ed tournament whether it is small business or big business,” said Michaud. “But for this tournament we wanted something unique and Plantation has jumped right on board.”
Michaud is quick to credit his organizing committee — Lisa Vowk, Hillery Blower and Pam Hubbs — for their efforts in determining the specific prizes for the event.
“I’m not a flower guy so I don’t know the first thing about … I guess you’d say flora,” concedes Michaud. “Fortunately, I have a great team of organizers and Plantation really loved the idea.”
Michaud says the overwhelming response to the women’s only tournament only bodes well for the tournament’s future, and Yukon Special Olympics especially, combined with the money raised from the annual co-ed golf tournament that is scheduled for Meadow Lakes on August 8.
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