2025 SportAssist Annual Golf Tournament – Celebrating our 16th Anniversary
Sixteen years of changing lives, building community, and coming together for the love of the game! The 2025 SportAssist Annual Golf Tournament marked another magnificent milestone for our organization—our 16th anniversary—and it was, by all accounts, a spectacular triumph.
We were thrilled to bring our community back to the sweeping, world-class fairways of the Bear Mountain Golf Course in Langford, B.C., Canada. Nestled against Vancouver Island’s breathtaking rugged landscape, this premier venue provided an unmatched backdrop for a day dedicated to empowering local youth. While the West Coast weather decided to throw a little classic B.C. rain our way, it took far more than a few raindrops to dampen the electric spirits of our golfers and supporters. If anything, the mist rolling over the mountains only highlighted the incredible warmth, camaraderie, and unshakeable dedication of the SportAssist family.
A Masterclass on the Mountainside: “Beat the Pro” with Eileen Kelly
This year, the energy on the course reached a whole new level thanks to our spectacular special guest, professional golfer Eileen Kelly!
Eileen brought an incredible story of determination and elite athletic grace to Bear Mountain. After spending 14 years training strictly as an elite ballet dancer, she pivoted to competitive golf in college, bringing that same intense discipline and feel to the sport. Her rapid ascent earned her a golf scholarship to the University of British Columbia, where she dropped her handicap to an astonishing +1 before taking her talents worldwide—competing on the Australian Women’s Tour, the European Tour, and the LPGA.
For our 16th anniversary, Eileen held court at the breathtaking par-3 14th hole for our ultimate “Beat the Pro” challenge! Golfers from every group stepped up to the tee to test their skills against a global touring professional. Whether our players managed to stick it closer to the pin than Eileen or just watched in awe as she dropped darts all day long, the challenge brought an unforgettable, competitive spark to the tournament and raised a fantastic amount of support for our cause.
Turning Generosity into Action
When the clubs were packed away and everyone gathered in the clubhouse, the generosity truly took center stage. Thanks to some fiercely competitive bidding wars and the immense open hearts of our attendees, both the Silent and Live Auctions were a roaring, record-setting success!
The funds raised from these auctions represent the very lifeblood of what we do. Every single dollar raised goes directly toward breaking down financial barriers and providing much-needed athletic funding to youth in need. Because of your incredible support, we can ensure that local kids get off the sidelines, put on a jersey, and experience the life-changing power, teamwork, and confidence that sports provide.
With Heartfelt Gratitude
An event of this magnitude simply doesn’t happen without an extraordinary village of people working passionately behind the scenes. We want to extend a massive, heartfelt THANK YOU to:
- Eileen Kelly, for bringing her world-class talent, bright energy, and wonderful spirit to the 14th hole.
- Our tireless, hard-working volunteers who kept everything running flawlessly and kept the smiles big, even in the coastal rain.
- Our exceptionally generous sponsors, whose continued partnership and shared vision make our mission a reality year after year.
- Every single golfer, donor, and supporter who brought their A-game, their umbrellas, and their generosity to Bear Mountain.
“Sport has the power to change the world, it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.” — Nelson Mandela
Thank you all for making our 16th anniversary an unforgettable chapter in the SportAssist story. Together, we proved that not even the weather can stop a community determined to lift up the next generation of champions. Here’s to the future, and to continuing to change lives together!
