2017 NEWS

DIGBY – The inaugural Richard Ellis Memorial Golf Tournament raised $2,500 for the Digby and Area Health Services Charitable Foundation.

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The 16 teams enjoyed brilliant afternoon sunshine after a wet and foggy morning June 24.

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The Carquest team of Justin Wood, Robert Morgan, Bobby Morgan and Glen Dunn won the scramble best ball tournament with a 62.

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Wendy Balser hit the ladies’ longest drive and Anthony LeBlanc hit the men’s longest.

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Closest to the line winners were Christi Joyce and Brian Comeau. Closest to the pin, sponsored by Superstore, were Wendy Balser and Paul Tidman.

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No one claimed the car put up by Belliveau Motors for a hole in one, nor the $10,000 put up by RBC Wealth Management for a hole in one on the fifth hole.

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Organizer Phil Barrett says he is thankful for the great community support and the weather, which turned around just in time.

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“The Pines treated us very well and I heard a lot of positive feedback from teams saying they’re looking forward to coming back next year,” said Barrett.

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Each team paid $600 to enter, although some donated much more.

The tournament was named for the late Richard Ellis, who was both a town businessman and chair of the Digby hospital board.

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His son Kevin Ellis played in the tournament and said it was a wonderful experience.

“If my father had been there to see that, he would have found it a humbling experience but he also would have been proud of all the people who came out to support the health foundation.”

Richard Ellis was himself an accomplished golfer, working as assistant pro under Earl Jamieson at the Digby Pines in the 1950s.

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Kevin Ellis said it was good to see the strong turnout and believes the golf tournament is something the foundation will be able to continue and grow as an important fundraiser.

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“I think when you’re asking people to come out and support a local cause like this, an important local charity, where all the money raised stays right here, well I think that’s an easy sell,” he said. “Plus everyone gets to walk around in the sunshine and fresh air and play some golf.”

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Barrett said the proceeds from the tournament will go towards the foundation’s campaign to replenish their bank account after spending $1.7 million of their capital on the new collaborative health clinic.

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“A lot of people aren’t aware that every cent donated to the Digby health services foundation stays right here in Digby,” says Barrett. “We spend that money for equipment they need at the Digby hospital or for doctor recruitment.”

The foundation is hoping to raise $250,000. In April they received a $17,000 donation from the Masonic Foundation of Nova Scotia.

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Barrett recently accepted another $1,000 donation from the St. Mary’s Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Amelia Wallace said the ladies are very proud to support charities like the foundation that promote a sustainable community.

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Site manager at the Digby General Hospital, Hubert d’Entremont, says they are conducting final tests and inspections at the new clinic this week and he expects that will all go smoothly.

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Once the tests are wrapped up, he expects to set an official opening date for the clinic soon.

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