On Saturday July 27, 2019, more than 200 golfers took to the Saugeen Golf Club, braving the rain and filling the venue to commemorate the memory of Art Van Santen, beloved husband, father, friend, and longtime fixture at the Saugeen Golf Club during the summer months and within the Southampton & Guelph communities year-round.
The skies cleared quickly for the 216 golfers, who were all energized by the lively music of DJ Brae (Braeden MacKenzie) and a generous donation of coffee & espressos from Rabbit Dash of Port Elgin.
For the second year running, all golfers were treated to a decadent mid-round repast of ribs on hole Sunrise 5, courtesy of Queens Bar & Grill of Port Elgin. In addition, 35 hole-sponsors and 25 volunteers made the tournament possible.
In addition to the golfers, 55 people, some from as far afield as Naples, Florida, joined the golfers and volunteers for a delicious dinner prepared by Saugeen’s own Chef Randy.
Emcee Aliston Fernandes kept the event moving and, after dinner, tournament-goers raised a glass to Art and shared stories of the man whose friendship, love and pure kindness had brought them all together for the occasion. They then danced the night away to the fun-loving tunes of the popular Lulus Band.
The tournament raised an astounding $18,000, divided in three equal parts between the Southampton Memorial Hospital Foundation, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph.
Follow the Art Van Santen Memorial Golf Tournament Facebook page to see pictures of this year’s event and details about the third annual AVS Memorial Golf Tournament set to take place on July 25, 2020!