A group of local golfers gathered on Sunday, August 16 for their annual Masters tournament. In past years, this has been a weekend-long competition held at an out-of-town course. This year, for the first time in the event’s 18-year history, the tournament had to be scaled down, with COVID restrictions in place.
“This year, it was a one-day event held in our own backyard at Old Drovers Run in Niverville,” says organizer Ray Dowse. “It’s the first time we’ve played the Niverville Masters at the home course.”
While the players of this annual tournament inevitably have a great time, and this year was no exception despite the changes wrought by the pandemic, the principal goal of the event is to raise money for a local family in need.
For the 2020 tournament, the players were able to raise $6,540 for Jordan and Heather St. Cyr, for their daughter Emery.
Emery was born nearly two years ago with a rare brain condition called Sturge-Weber syndrome, a neurological disorder which is marked by a distinctive stain on the forehead, scalp, or around the eye.
The day after Emery was born, an MRI revealed the condition, and her parents were informed that the left side of her brain was dying. The diagnosis changed the St. Cyr family forever.
In her first year, Emery endured multiple seizures and many trips to the emergency room. After trial and error, her doctors identified a medication that, when taken twice a day, helps to control the symptoms.
As a part of her treatment, she must be taken to many medical appointments to monitor the progression of her condition, and her symptoms are in a constant state of flux. The family regularly sees new specialists, and new treatments and surgeries are always on the table.
The money which has been donated will be used to help with the mounting costs of Emery’s care and offer some security in the face of so much uncertainty.
“We continue to be blown away by the love and support shown to us,” Jordan St. Cyr says on behalf of his family. “Thank you so much to the Niverville Masters tournament for honouring our family with this gift. We are grateful beyond words and humbled to be a part of such a great community.”
In total, the Niverville Masters has raised more than $53,000 in the past 18 years, according to Dowse.
“About seven years ago, we started raising funds for specific families and to make a difference for those who may have needs or demands in their lives that many of us don’t experience,” Dowse says.
In the earlier years of the competition, the golfers had raised money for a generic charity, although this strategy changed in 2013.
“Since that change, the tournament has developed a greater purpose than just the golf event, with the players really stepping up their contributions to help make an impact,” Dowse adds. “This year we had 40 players total, averaging out to approximately $165 donation per player.”
As for the event itself, the golfers took to the course under sunny skies—although the strong wind presented a challenge.
Two golfers in particular finished with extremely strong scores. Travis Mason took first place, winning the Green Jacket for the first time. He shot six birdies, as well as an eagle, to arrive at a final score of 80. Ryan Billey came in a close second, with a score of 81.
A secondary prize, the Gold Jacket, is given to the player who shoots the lowest net score when applying handicaps. Collin Magne took that title this year, shooting a net 62. Ryan Billey also came in second in this category, with a net score of 66.
In the 18-year history of the tournament, there have been nine previous winners—all of whom participated in 2020. The past winners teed off each hole from the championship tee box, whereas the rest of the field used the regular tee box.
Due to the pandemic, sit-food service wasn’t possible this year, but Niverville Pizzeria and the local Dairy Queen stepped forward to provide food at the course during the round itself.
“Brad, the course pro at Old Drovers Run, ensured all COVID protocol was adhered to,” says Dowse. “Also he was very hospitable to the group, helping us run a very successful event this year using significantly different tee off locations on the front nine and back nine, making it feel as though 18 different holes were played during the day even though it is a nine-hole course… Overall, it was a great day of golf!”
