Willow Park Charity Golf Classic continues ‘legacy of giving’ in banner year
Over three decades of philanthropy is evidence enough that when the owners, directors, organizers, members, donors, and volunteers of the Willow Park Charity Golf Classic rally for Calgarians, the entire sector and the people helped by it feel the benefits.
Jennifer Davison, 2022 tournament chair, spoke about the influential event.
“The impact that $12.3 million has made over the last 34 years in this community is something that every single member, every single person on staff and all the owners should be so proud of,” she said. “The legacy of giving that this tournament creates is incredible.”
Since its inaugural year in 1988, an important intersectionality has further come into focus. Year after year, CUPS has been thrilled to see many of our partners supported by this tournament. We work alongside these organizations, but more so, many people in the CUPS community benefit from these agencies. When wellness and resilience is supported, by any group, more people live better lives.
For Davison, she said this result has been many years in the making, in that the incredible generosity that started the tournament, including owners that understand the power of giving, continues today.
“This is our Willow Park family,” she said. “It’s amazing when a small group of people get really passionate about an idea, what that can turn into.”
CUPS appreciation for this tournament and the hardworking team behind it is beyond words. Our organization has been the beneficiary twice now, initially in 1996 and again in 2022. The most recent event was a banner year, in that $610,000 was raised for our Expanding Impact project.
Davison recalled the surprise and immediate gratitude she experienced from the CUPS team.
“This year was bigger than any of us expected and we’re very grateful for that, but to see the emotions from the CUPS team, we are proud and happy to create that opportunity,” she said.
“We know the impact that CUPS will make on a day-to-day basis for their organization.”
Conor Tapp, Director at CUPS, affirmed Davison’s sentiment.
“The support from the Willow Park Charity Golf Classic will have a lasting effect on CUPS,” he said. “In the same way that this generous community has enabled and inspired transformational impacts with CUPS partners and sector allies for over 30 years, the 2022 tournament is a testament to the power of people coming together to make a difference.”
Rob Ward, media and marketing manager for the Willow Park Charity Golf Classic, explained how important it’s been to him to be connected to a tournament that helps organizations help Calgarians.
“I’m a member here as well,” he said. “Being a part of a community that recognizes the responsibility that we have to give back and make it better is what brings me a great sense of pride.”
Everyone pitches in to host the Willow Park Charity Golf Classic and support the benefitting charity, starting with Cal Wenzel of title sponsor Shane Homes drumming up funds in his own network. Again, this legacy tournament is powered by the membership, as well as corporate donors and sponsors.
Ward said the tournament brings awareness to the ongoing needs of non-profits in Calgary. These past two years have been challenging for everybody but hit this sector particularly hard.
“To come out of this and raise $610,000 is just incredible,” he said, noting their goal is to continue to increase their impact with each tournament year. “It speaks to the character of the people involved.”