A look in from Monday's Wayne Pruden Memorial Golf Tournament. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

BUH Foundation Fundraiser

Wayne Pruden Memorial Golf Tourney sees ‘full house’

Jun 5, 2023 | 5:37 PM

The Battlefords Union Hospital (BUH) Foundation held its 27^th Annual Wayne Pruden Memorial Golf Tournament Monday, at North Battleford Golf and Country Club.

Featuring a full turnout of 216 participants from around the community and area, executive director of the BUH Foundation, Leanne Ducommun said it’s been another great year for the event.

“It’s been just gorgeous, the sun is shining, and we are just so fortunate, we have a full house again,” she said with a smile. “We have so many great supporters and there’s been lots of smiles, so it’s a great way to kick off the week and we’re just so grateful for the continued support.”

The BUH Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year, all proceeds will go towards the Foundation’s Capital Campaign – the largest in their history – to purchase a Pyxis MedStation for every department in the BUH.

Among those hitting the fairways Monday, was a familiar face to the annual tournament in Terry Lumsdon, who knew Wayne personally and has been attending the golf tournament since it was first started in Pruden’s memory over 25 years ago.

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“Wayne was a good friend of mine, so I’ve been here since it began,” Lumsdon said. “I’m golfing today with my nephews and my niece and their spouses, from Edmonton to Macklin and everyone’s having a ball here today. We’re having lots of fun and making lots of money for the foundation.”

Also among those who have been attending since day, one is Peter Frey, who was golfing with Trent Gatzke, Rob Rongve, Boyd Wakelin, and Mark Richardson. He said it’s an event he and the group look forward to each year.

“It’s a great tournament, it’s a great cause, and we have a blast every year,” he said, adding with a grin, “[it’s the] funniest seven hours on a golf course and the weather’s been fantastic, so it’s always a good time.”

A look in from Monday’s Wayne Pruden Memorial Golf Tournament. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Director of Golf at North Battleford Golf and Country Club, Dana Johnson said the event is one he and his team look forward to hosting each year.

“It’s always great to host the Foundation’s tournament in memory of Wayne Pruden,” Johnson said. “It’s awesome and we’re always prepared; it’s a lot of work, but we look forward to it every year.”

Val Doke is Wayne Pruden’s sister and said it’s special to see so many out again this year for the tournament, to share in the memory of her brother and support a great cause with the BUH Foundation.

“It’s great to see this many people come out every year, supporting the community, and that’s the lesson we all got from my brother, he was like that,” she said. “So it’s been great and it’s wonderful to see.”

Registration for the day’s event started at 9:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start to the golfing action at 11 a.m. The tournament will conclude with a banquet supper at 5:30 p.m. at the Western Development Museum.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1