By Greg Higgins

Six-year-old plans memorial golf tournament for hospital fundraiser

Aug 11, 2016 | 6:00 AM

While most six-year-olds are learning to tie their shoes, one in particular is organizing a golf tournament in memory of his grandfather.

Brian Maunula was a figurehead in the North Battlefords community and an avid golfer. Locals were devastated by his death in late February of this year but his grandson Shae plans to have his memory live on forever through the game he loved.

The first annual Brian Maunula Junior Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday, Sept. 25 at the Rustic Nine Golf Course in North Battleford.

Shae said he came up with the idea after playing in the Wayne Pruden Memorial Golf Tournament.

“I was the only kid playing,” Shae said. “I wanted to do something in memory of my grandpa and I wanted to get kids involved.”

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The tournament will be a fundraising event with all proceeds going to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. Along with a $25 dollar entry fee, golfers are encouraged to raise money through a pledge drive.

Shae’s mother, Jamie Maunula said her son talked about the idea for a while because there is no local junior tournament. She wanted to help but also wanted Shae to do the work himself.

“He kept bringing it up so I finally said ‘all right, baby — I’ll help you out but you have to call the golf course and set up a meeting,’” Jamie said. “He got right on the phone and called them up. They were happy to hold the tournament. They even booked us the course for the whole day for free.”

Jamie said the Rustic Nine course is perfect for children because of the short holes.

The tournament will have a maximum of 40 players ages four to 14. Golfers will be split into three separate age groups. The top players in each group will win a new set of golf clubs.

A new bike, scooter and skateboard will be awarded to the top three fundraisers and anyone who raises $250 dollars will be entered into a draw to win $500 cash.

Any skill level is welcome and if clubs are an issue they will be available to rent at the course.

To register for the tournament or to donate, visit the Facebook page. Registration closes Sept. 15. but donations will be accepted up until the day of the tournament.

Greg Higgins is battlefordsNOW’s city municipal affairs and health reporter. He can be reached at ghiggins@jpbg.ca or tweet him @realgreghiggins.