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For the past 16 years, Northview Golf & Country Club has been home to one of Vancouver’s best kept secrets. Each year, the club hosts the Forget Me Not Golf Tournament for a sell-out crowd of supporters from across the country. Now that the stigma associated with Alzheimer’s disease is giving way to growing concern, the organizers of the charity tournament are finding demand and interest for their event increasing as well. The secret to the success of this event, which has to date raised over $5.6 million to support families impacted by dementia and fund research for a cure, can be found in basic business principles.
“We run a first rate golf day with very little carrying expense, and we make sure that 50% of the funds raised goes to research and 50% goes to education and support for families,” explained Russell Lane, founder of the golf tournament and president of Russell Lane & Associates.
As a result, the tournament has credibility among a loyal and well-connected group of supporters and sponsors from across Canada who feel good about their contribution not only because it goes to a good cause but also because they know it was well spent.
Participants play a real game of golf. That means golf day starts on time and ends on time and you play your own ball. You also play on one of the most exciting and challenging courses in British Columbia.
The course at Northview Golf & Country Club was designed by seven-time major tournament champion Arnold Palmer. Participants in the Forget Me Not golf tournament have the opportunity to play with colleagues and peers on a course that has in its history been host for the PGA Tour and celebrity pro-ams.
“Despite recent challenging economic times, this year’s tournament is expanding to both courses at Northview to accommodate close to 200 golfers,” said Don Towers, current chair of the golf committee and a partner at Connor, Clark & Lunn Investment Management Partnership.
“One thing I’ve learned over the years that I’ve been involved in the tournament is that the combination between business and charity can be a powerful thing.”
The first baby boomer turns 65 next year. For the largest demographic population in our workforce, concern about the disease has increased not only because age is the most important risk factor for dementia, but also because many may still be in the workforce. Higher costs of living, insufficient funds for retirement, longer life expectancy and a shortage of workers in the younger demographic population may all be contributing factors to a workforce of individuals beyond the age of 65.
The 16th annual Forget Me Not Golf tournament takes place this year on May 27 at the Northview Golf and Country Club and helps the Alzheimer Society of B.C. raise funds for dementia education and research. Find out more at www.fmngolf.com.
