RVP File Photo

Board Chair Bruce Pettigrew (second from the left) stops to pose for a photo at the 2010 Links to Learning charity golf tournament held on Aug. 23. The tournament raises money for student scholarships and division schools.

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Rocky View Schools holding annual golf tournament

The Links of GlenEagles in Cochrane will once again host the Rocky View Schools’ (RVS) annual Links to Learning golf tournament, Aug. 20.

Over the past five years, the tournament has raised more than $65,000 for schools in the division.

The tournament averages about 50 golfers per year and raised $14,400 last year. This year’s goal is $20,000.

“It’s designed to be a great tournament where we have a fun day,” said RVS Superintendent Greg Bass.

“It’s an opportunity to get to know the other people in the system and celebrate the students. It’s also an opportunity to build the culture of Rocky View and raise some money for the students.”

Besides 18 rounds of golf, the all-day festivities also include breakfast, lunch and a dinner banquet, as well as gift bags and prizes.

It also features musical performances and artwork displays from local students.

Approximately $10,000 of the funds raised at the tournament are handed out as scholarships and bursaries to graduating students at the end of the school year and the rest is given to schools that help generate revenue during the tournament. The funds are then distributed to the schools’ individual projects, like field trips and meal programs.

Bass said the portion of the funds that is used for scholarships has become a focus of the tournament and will continue to be as the tournament continues to grow.

“I think it’s really important,” he said. “When we first started (the tournament), I said to the trustees that it would be powerful if we were honouring students that were exemplifying outstanding merits (in academics and athletics), but we didn’t want to take money away from instruction.

“(The tournament) is an opportunity to build the profile of the jurisdiction, enjoy the talents of our students and raise money without impacting the classroom. The students are very appreciative, too. Five hundred dollars makes a big difference when tuition is between $5,000 and $6,000.”

For more information on the tournament or to register, contact Jacquie Mirtle at 403-945-4054 or at jmirtle@rockyview.ab.ca