Hockey and golf may have a tense relationship.
Not for the Coquitlam Express though.
While many hockey players enjoy a walk around the links during the off-season, the fact they’re able to play golf means their season is over, or their quest for a championship has ended.
But the BC Hockey League team has embraced the off-season pastime as one of its major community fundraisers.
KidSport Tri-Cities is the beneficiary of the fourth annual Express charity golf tournament, to be held Sept. 11 at Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club.
Tali Campbell, the team’s general manager, said KidSport’s mission to ensure every child has the opportunity to experience the benefits of participating in organized sports meshes with the Express’ commitment to supporting youth development.
“KidSport Tri-Cities does incredible work in our area,” said Campbell in a news release. “We are proud to partner with them to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local children.”
Chris Wilson, the executive director of KidSport Tri-Cities, added, “Events like the charity golf tournament play a crucial role in ensuring every child in our community has a chance to experience the transformative power of sports.”
Wilson said the money raised by the golf tournament, as well as its own fundraising efforts like twice annual sales of used sports equipment, along with ongoing support from groups like Coquitlam Metro-Ford Soccer Club, help KidSport subsidize registration fees for families that may be struggling to keep their kids involved in sporting activities.
Since its first charity golf tournament in 2021, Express officials, players and alumni, members of the local business community and individual golf enthusiasts have raised more than $70,000 for various charitable causes and organizations, including Canuck Place. Last year’s event collected $32,750 for FOCUS Canada.
To find out more about the tournament or to enquire about sponsorship opportunities, go to the team’s website.
