Ian Leggatt lends pro presence to golf fundraiser
Former PGA player donates time to Macewan shootout
The most relaxed golfer who qualified for the chance to win $1 million at the MacEwan University golf shootout this week must have been developer Grant Christenson.
Christenson showed up for his shot without a club and asked RBC real estate vicepresident Dave Majeski if he could borrow one. “I put my clubs in the car and can’t be bothered going back,” he said.
No one aced the hole in the Pro-Am tournament that raised more than $275,000 for the university’s athletes and its golf management program.
Carol Feist, playing from 10 yards closer, as all men pointed out, was closest to the pin on the 18th hole at the Edmonton Petroleum Club.
SMASHING GOOD TIME
Enjoying the fun (at one hole, Crystal Glass invited golfers to shoot at 10 car windshields) was Canadian golfer Ian Leggatt. Leggatt, who has a PGA win and a Nationwide Tour event trophy, was invited by Majeski, whom he played with in California last year after the banker successfully bid on an Edmonton Gold Medal Plates auction item supporting Olympic athletes.
“Ian said he’d come if some of his Edmonton friends he’d met while on tour were playing,” said Majeski. “He stayed with Tim Melton, wouldn’t accept a fee and said he’d be happy to return next year.”
A BUSY GENTLE GIANT
Veteran Edmonton Police Sergeant Pat McCormack, 49, is a giant in many ways. For a start, he’s six-feet-eight inches tall and weighs 275 pounds.
Then, diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 21 years ago, he refused to be beaten by the disease in its most severe form and served with the demanding police canine and homicide units.
The big-hearted officer has also never stopped encouraging others to help find a cure for the autoimmune disease that can strike children and adults an any age.
“We were delighted to hear Pat will be one of the 3,000 walkers who will take part Sunday, June 10 in the Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes at the Edmonton Garrison,” said the walk’s Godfrey Huybregts.
McCormack, who needs six to eight injections a day to deliver the insulin he needs to survive, said “I don’t want parents fearful of their kids not having a normal life.
“Nearly all of the $500,000 we hope to raise will go to research, some of the most important of which is being carried out at the U of A.”
Across Canada, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation hopes to raise $7.9 million. To register, go to www.JDRF.ca.
EDMONTON’ S CROWN JEWE L
Two Royal Alexandra Hospital nurses who helped in the delicate first days in the lives of twins Matthew and Daniel Purcell were at the boys’ high school graduation Friday.
“It was a poignant moment,” said the boys father, veterinarian Dr. Ted Purcell. “The twins were born three months premature and when they were diagnosed with cerebral palsy, I thought I had fallen off a cliff.
“But now they can walk without crutches and run without falling.”
He praised the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital staff, who offered “help and hope beyond belief” and called the hospital the city’s crown jewel.
Purcell, a Glenrose foundation board member for 10 years, is a driving force behind The Longest Day of Golf, a June 18 hospital fundraiser at the Blackhawk Golf Club.
“We are actively recruiting golfers,” said Purcell.
“Fewer have registered this year. But this is a chance for grateful patients and others in the community to help with world-class rehabilitation technology and to advance the study, prevention and treatment of disabilities.”
Golfers who raise $1,250 can play the course any time June 18 and enjoy dinner. To enrol or pledge for a participant, visit glenrosegolf.com.
FEMALE LAWYERS HAVE THE GUTS
Two female lawyers want to challenge firefighters, police recruits and young jocks and jockettes in a fitness test.
“My friend Teresa Haykowsky is turning 50 and we want to invite anyone to find out if they are as fit as we two women in our fifties,” said Rosanna Saccomani.
“We think perhaps only firefighters and young police officers might be able to do 1,500 ab reps in 30 minutes.”
The women’s $20 challenge will take place at the William Lutsky YMCA Saturday June 23.
It will support the Y’s Strong Kids campaign, which last year helped 250,000 children, teens and young adults take part in recreation or physical activity.
“We will issue certificates stating the number of reps performed,” said Haykowsky. Info at rsaccomani@biamonte.com.