Prince George, B.C.- The  annual Special Olympics Fundraising Golf Tournament is just days  away.

“This is our 23rd year”  says  event organizer Jos Van Hage.   “What is special about this tournament is that  all of the money raised through our corporate donations  goes  directly to the Special Olympic Athletes.”

The event this year is set for  Friday the 17th,  with a shot gun start  at the  Prince George Golf and Curling Club at 1 p.m.

He says last year, the event raised $70 thousand dollars, “The success of last year’s event, has proven to us once again, how fortunate we are in Prince George to have such caring corporate citizens, who are always willing to participate in worthy endeavors.  This golf tournament is our major fundraiser for our Prince George Special Olympians.  Sponsoring this event  gives our local athletes  the opportunity to take part in sporting events, with their peers, in an environment that provides and promotes a safe and healthy lifestyle.”

The  dollars raised  will be used to  buy  uniforms and pay for transportation  of  Special Olympic Athletes to the various levels of competition.  Last winter,  the  Special Olympics  Winter Games were in Nova Scotia,   and  dollars were used to  help those  who made the provincial team  head to the east  coast for the competition.

Corporate sponsorship costs $1000,   but  anyone can take part in the tournament with a team of 4,  with each member  of  that team paying $125.  That entry fee covers the cost of the banquet at the end of the tournament.

There  will also be a putting contest ,  live and silent auctions.

“Everyone’s a winner” says Van Hage,  as  funds are raised  for  Special Olympians, corporate donors get  tax receipts,  and  all participants  get a day of  golf,  a banquet and  a prize.

More information on the event can be accessed by  contacting Lucia Van Hage  by email  at  Luciavanhage@gmail.com